1 John 2:19
New International Version
They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

New Living Translation
These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

English Standard Version
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Berean Standard Bible
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

Berean Literal Bible
They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But it is so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.

King James Bible
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

New King James Version
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

New American Standard Bible
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us.

NASB 1995
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.

NASB 1977
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.

Legacy Standard Bible
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they were of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be manifested that they all are not of us.

Amplified Bible
They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us [because they were not truly born again and spiritually transformed]; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out [teaching false doctrine], so that it would be clearly shown that none of them are of us.

Christian Standard Bible
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

American Standard Version
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.

Contemporary English Version
These people came from our own group, yet they were not really part of us. If they had been part of us, they would have stayed with us. But they left, which proves they did not belong to our group.

English Revised Version
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest how that they all are not of us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They left us. However, they were never really part of us. If they had been, they would have stayed with us. But by leaving they made it clear that none of them were part of us.

Good News Translation
These people really did not belong to our fellowship, and that is why they left us; if they had belonged to our fellowship, they would have stayed with us. But they left so that it might be clear that none of them really belonged to us.

International Standard Version
They left us, but they were not part of us, for if they had been part of us, they would have stayed with us. Their leaving made it clear that none of them was really part of us.

Majority Standard Bible
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

NET Bible
They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, because if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they went out from us to demonstrate that all of them do not belong to us.

New Heart English Bible
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.

Webster's Bible Translation
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Weymouth New Testament
They have gone forth from our midst, but they did not really belong to us; for had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they left us that it might be manifest that professed believers do not all belong to us.

World English Bible
They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
they went forth out of us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but [they went out] so that they might be revealed that they are not all of us.

Berean Literal Bible
They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But it is so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.

Young's Literal Translation
out of us they went forth, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but -- that they might be manifested that they are not all of us.

Smith's Literal Translation
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they had remained with us, but, that they might be manifested, that they are not all of us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us; but that they may be manifest, that they are not all of us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They went out from among us, but they were not of us. For, if they had been of us, certainly they would have remained with us. But in this way, it is made manifest that none of them are of us.

New American Bible
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.

New Revised Standard Version
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they left us, that it might be known they did not belong to us.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
They went out from us but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have remained; but they went out from us to disclose that they were not of us.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
They went out from us, but they were not of us: for, if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Godbey New Testament
They came out from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have remained with us: but in order that they might be made manifest that they are not all of us.

Haweis New Testament
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they departed, that they might be made manifest that they are not all of us:

Mace New Testament
they went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that it might be manifest, that they were not all of us.

Weymouth New Testament
They have gone forth from our midst, but they did not really belong to us; for had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they left us that it might be manifest that professed believers do not all belong to us.

Worrell New Testament
They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest, that they are not all of us.

Worsley New Testament
They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been indeed of us, they would have continued with us; but this was done that they might be made manifest, because all, that are with us, are not indeed of us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Beware of Antichrists
18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

John 6:64-66
However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.) / Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.” / From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.

Hebrews 6:4-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, / who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— / and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.

2 Peter 2:20-22
If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. / It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. / Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Matthew 13:20-21
The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. / But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

2 Timothy 4:10
because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Luke 8:13
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.

John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Jude 1:4
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:30
Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

Galatians 2:4
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.

Romans 9:6
It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?


Treasury of Scripture

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

went out.

Deuteronomy 13:13
Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

Psalm 41:9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

Matthew 13:20,21
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; …

for.

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 125:1,2
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever…

they might.

Romans 9:6
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Romans 11:5,6
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace…

1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

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Believers Belong Belonged Clear Continued Doubt Forth Manifest Manifested Midst Plain Professed Really Revealed Shown Surely
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Believers Belong Belonged Clear Continued Doubt Forth Manifest Manifested Midst Plain Professed Really Revealed Shown Surely
1 John 2
1. He comforts them against the sins of infirmity.
3. Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments;
9. to love our brothers;
15. and not to love the world.
18. We must beware of antichrists;
20. from whose deceits the godly are safe, preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life.














They went out from us
This phrase indicates a separation or departure from the community of believers. In the early church, such departures were often due to doctrinal disagreements or false teachings. The context of 1 John suggests that these individuals were influenced by Gnostic beliefs, which denied the true humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. This departure serves as a warning to the church about the presence of false teachers and the importance of doctrinal purity.

but they did not belong to us
This suggests that those who left were never truly part of the spiritual community, despite their outward association. This echoes Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:21-23, where He warns that not everyone who claims to follow Him truly knows Him. The concept of true versus false believers is a recurring theme in the New Testament, emphasizing the need for genuine faith and commitment.

For if they had belonged to us
This conditional statement implies that true believers have a lasting connection to the community of faith. It reflects the biblical principle of perseverance of the saints, as seen in passages like John 10:28-29, where Jesus assures that His sheep will never be snatched from His hand. This underscores the security and assurance of salvation for those who are truly in Christ.

they would have remained with us
The idea of remaining or abiding is central to Johannine theology, as seen in John 15:4-7, where Jesus speaks of abiding in Him as a sign of true discipleship. This phrase suggests that genuine believers will continue in fellowship and faith, demonstrating their true connection to Christ and His body, the church.

But their departure made it clear
The departure of these individuals serves as a revelation of their true spiritual state. This aligns with the biblical principle that actions reveal the heart, as seen in passages like James 2:18, which emphasizes that faith without works is dead. The departure acts as a divine means of distinguishing true believers from those who are not.

that none of them belonged to us
This final phrase reinforces the idea that those who left were never truly part of the spiritual family. It serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of false conversions and the need for discernment within the church. This echoes the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30, where Jesus teaches that the true and false will be separated at the end of the age.

Persons / Places / Events
1. John the Apostle
The author of the epistle, John was one of Jesus' closest disciples and a key leader in the early church. He wrote to address issues of false teachings and to affirm the faith of believers.

2. The Early Church
The community of believers to whom John was writing. They were facing challenges from false teachers and those who were leaving the faith.

3. False Teachers
Individuals who were spreading incorrect doctrines and leading others astray. Their departure from the community highlighted their lack of true faith.

4. The Antichrists
A term used by John to describe those who deny Christ and oppose His teachings. Their presence and actions were a sign of the last hour.

5. The Departure
The act of leaving the community of believers, which served as evidence of a lack of genuine faith and belonging.
Teaching Points
The Nature of True Believers
True believers are characterized by their perseverance in the faith. Their continued fellowship with the community of believers is evidence of their genuine faith.

The Reality of Apostasy
Apostasy, or falling away from the faith, serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of examining our own faith and ensuring it is rooted in Christ.

Discernment in the Church
The presence of false teachers requires believers to exercise discernment, testing teachings against the truth of Scripture.

The Assurance of Salvation
While some may depart, those who truly belong to Christ have the assurance of eternal security, as their faith is anchored in Him.

Community and Accountability
Remaining in fellowship with other believers provides accountability and encouragement, helping to guard against deception and spiritual drift.Verse 19. - They went out from us ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξῆλθαν; just as the evil spirit went out of the demoniac (ἐξῆλθεν ἐξ αὐτοῦ, Mark 1:26). But they were not of us οὐκ η΅σαν ἐξ ἡμῶν; they had not their origin with us, just as the unbelieving Jews were "not of God" ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐκ ἐστὲ, but of the devil (John 8:23, 44, 47). The emphatic repetition of ἠμῶν, five times in one verse, is quite in St. John's style. The "no doubt" of the Authorized Version, rightly omitted in the Revised Version, probably represents the utique of the Vulgate, which is a mistaken attempt to give a separate word to translate ἄν (compare forsitan in John 4:10; John 5:46. For the elliptical ἀλλ ἵνα, comp. John 1:8). What follows is not clear, and is taken in three ways:

(1) "That all are not of us," which seems to imply that some of them are of us. This can hardly be right.

(2) "That all of them are not of us;" i.e., are aliens (verse 21; 1 John 3:15; Revelation 22:3; Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20; Luke 1:37; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 5:5). But in that case we should expect πάντες οὐκ εἰσίν, not οὐκ εἰσὶν πάντες.

(3) Two thoughts are mixed together: . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They went out
ἐξῆλθαν (exēlthan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

us,
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

they did not belong
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to us.
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

they had belonged
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

us,
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

they would have remained
μεμενήκεισαν (memenēkeisan)
Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

with
μεθ’ (meth’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

us.
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

But
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

[their departure]
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

made it clear
φανερωθῶσιν (phanerōthōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5319: To make clear (visible, manifest), make known. From phaneros; to render apparent.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

none of them
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

belonged to
εἰσὶν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

us.
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Letters: 1 John 2:19 They went out from us but they (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
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