1 John 2:4

4 The one who claims, "I know him," while not keeping his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in this person.

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 God's way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world.

3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.

4 The one who claims, "I know him," while not keeping his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in this person.

5 But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know we are in him.

6 The one who claims to remain in him ought to live in the same way as he lived.