1 John 2:4
New International Version
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

New Living Translation
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.

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

Berean Standard Bible
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Berean Literal Bible
The one saying, "I have known Him," and not keeping His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

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

New King James Version
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

New American Standard Bible
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

NASB 1995
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

NASB 1977
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Legacy Standard Bible
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Amplified Bible
Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

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

Contemporary English Version
But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts.

English Revised Version
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him:

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

Good News Translation
If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us.

International Standard Version
The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth has no place in that person.

Majority Standard Bible
If anyone says, ?I know Him,? but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

NET Bible
The one who says "I have come to know God" and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person.

New Heart English Bible
One who says, "I know him," and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Weymouth New Testament
He who professes to know Him, and yet does not obey His commands, is a liar, and the truth has no place in his heart.

World English Bible
One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
he who is saying, “I have known Him,” and is not keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Berean Literal Bible
The one saying, "I have known Him," and not keeping His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Young's Literal Translation
he who is saying, 'I have known him,' and his command is not keeping, a liar he is, and in him the truth is not;

Smith's Literal Translation
He saying, I have known him, and not keeping his commands, is a liar, and in him is not the truth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He who saith that he knoweth him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

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

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For he who says, “I know him”, and does not keep his commandments, is lying and the truth is not in him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Godbey New Testament
The one saying, I have known him, and keeping not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

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

Mace New Testament
he that says, he knows him, and does not keep his commandments, is a lyar, and an enemy to the truth:

Weymouth New Testament
He who professes to know Him, and yet does not obey His commands, is a liar, and the truth has no place in his heart.

Worrell New Testament
He who says, "I have known Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Worsley New Testament
He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Our Advocate
3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. 4If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:…

Cross References
John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

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!’

James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

Titus 1:16
They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

1 John 3:6
No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.

1 John 3:24
Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.

1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

2 John 1:6
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.


Treasury of Scripture

He that said, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

that saith.

1 John 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1 John 1:6,8,10
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: …

1 John 4:20
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I know.

Hosea 8:2,3
Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee…

Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

is a.

1 John 1:6,8
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: …

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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.














If anyone says
This phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario that is universally applicable. The Greek word for "says" is "λέγῃ" (legei), which implies a verbal profession or claim. In the context of the early church, many individuals professed faith in Christ, but John emphasizes that mere words are insufficient without corresponding actions. This sets the stage for a discussion on the authenticity of one's faith.

I know Him
The Greek word for "know" is "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual assent. In the Jewish context, to "know" God was to have a covenant relationship with Him, akin to the deep, personal knowledge shared between close friends or family. This phrase challenges believers to examine whether their relationship with God is genuine and transformative.

but does not keep
The word "keep" is translated from the Greek "τηρῇ" (tērei), which means to guard, observe, or maintain. It suggests a continuous, diligent effort to adhere to God's commandments. In the historical context of the early church, this was a call to live out one's faith through obedience, reflecting a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

His commandments
The term "commandments" refers to the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus, rooted in the Old Testament law but fulfilled and expanded in the New Testament. The Greek word "ἐντολάς" (entolas) indicates directives that are not burdensome but are expressions of God's will for His people. This highlights the importance of aligning one's life with the teachings of Christ as evidence of true discipleship.

he is a liar
The Greek word for "liar" is "ψεύστης" (pseustēs), which denotes someone who is deceitful or false. In the biblical context, lying is not just about falsehood in speech but also about living a life that contradicts one's professed beliefs. This stark statement serves as a warning against hypocrisy and self-deception.

and the truth is not in him
"Truth" in Greek is "ἀλήθεια" (alētheia), representing not only factual accuracy but also sincerity and integrity. In Johannine theology, truth is closely associated with the character of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ. To say that the truth is not in someone is to assert that their life lacks the genuine presence and influence of God's truth, which should be evident in the life of a believer.

Verse 4. - The participial substantive ὁ λέγων now takes the place of ἐάν with the subjunctive, but the two are equivalent (cf. 1 John 1:6, which is almost exactly parallel to this, and shows what "knowing him" really is, viz. having fellowship with him, just as not keeping his commandments is the same as walking in darkness). St. John says, μὴ τηρῶν, not, οὐ τηρῶν, the case being hypothetical - if there be such a man, he is a liar, and has no idea of truth (see on 1 John 1:8). He must have lost the very power of recognizing truth to maintain that he knows Christ, when he habitually transgresses his commands. It is no great thing, as Bode says, to know as the devils do, who "believe and tremble."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If anyone
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

says,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“I know
Ἔγνωκα (Egnōka)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

Him,”
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[but]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

does not keep
τηρῶν (tērōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

commandments,
ἐντολὰς (entolas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.

he is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a liar,
ψεύστης (pseustēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5583: A liar, deceiver. From pseudomai; a falsifier.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

truth
ἀλήθεια (alētheia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.

is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

him.
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Letters: 1 John 2:4 One who says I know him (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
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