1 John 2:4

4 He that sayth I knowe him and kepeth not his commaundementes is a lyar and the veritie 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 and he it is that obteyneth grace for oure synnes: not for oure synnes only: but also for the synnes of all the worlde.

3 And herby we are sure that we knowe him yf we kepe his comaundementes.

4 He that sayth I knowe him and kepeth not his commaundementes is a lyar and the veritie is not in him.

5 Whosoever kepeth his (worde) in him is the love of god parfect in dede. And therby knowe we that we are in him.

6 He that sayth he bydeth in him ought to walke even as he walked.