1 John 2:4

4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

1 John 2:4 in Other Translations

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

4 If someone claims, "I know him well!" but doesn't keep his commandments, he's obviously a liar. His life doesn't match his words.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

4 The person who says, "I know him," but doesn't obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn't in that person.

4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

4 Suppose someone says, "I know him." But suppose that person does not do what God commands. Then that person is a liar and is not telling the truth.

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 atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.

4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:

6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Cross References

• 1. ver 3; Titus 1:16; 1 John 3:6; 1 John 4:7,8
• 2. 1 John 1:6,8