1 John 2:4

4 Anyone who says, "I know him," but isn't obeying his commands is a liar - the truth is not 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 Also, he is the kapparah for our sins - and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

3 The way we can be sure we know him is if we are obeying his commands.

4 Anyone who says, "I know him," but isn't obeying his commands is a liar - the truth is not in him.

5 But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with him.

6 A person who claims to be continuing in union with him ought to conduct his life the way he did.