1 John 2:4

4 The man who says, I have knowledge of him, and does not keep his laws, is false, and there is nothing true in him:

1 John 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 2:4

He that saith I know him
God or Christ, as the Gnostics did, who pretended to great, even perfect, knowledge of divine things:

and keepeth not his commandments;
which the above persons had no regard to, and as many who profess great light and knowledge in our days show no concern for:

is a liar;
he contradicts what he says, and gives the lie to it; for though in words he professes to know God, in works he denies him, and which betrays his ignorance of him:

and the truth is not in him;
there is no true knowledge of God and Christ in him; nor is the truth of the Gospel in his heart, however it may be in his head; nor is the truth of grace in him, for each of these lead persons to obedience. The Ethiopic version renders it, "the truth of God is not with him"; (See Gill on 1 John 1:8).

1 John 2:4 In-Context

2 He is the offering for our sins; and not for ours only, but for all the world.

3 And by this we may be certain that we have knowledge of him, if we keep his laws.

4 The man who says, I have knowledge of him, and does not keep his laws, is false, and there is nothing true in him:

5 But in every man who keeps his word, the love of God is made complete. By this we may be certain that we are in him:

6 He who says that he is living in him, will do as he did.