1 John 2:21

I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John writes to his audience to clarify that his instruction is not due to their lack of understanding, but because they already possess the truth and falsehood cannot originate from it.

The words — The phrase οἴδατε τὴν ἀλήθειαν (oidate tēn alētheian) translates literally to "you know the truth," highlighting the readers' established grasp of revealed reality.

The thread — This emphasis on readers already possessing truth appears in 2 Peter 1:12, where the author reminds believers they are established in the truth they now hold, and in Jude 1:5, which notes their full awareness of prior teachings.

Why it lands — The text asks readers to use their existing knowledge of the truth as a standard to identify and reject the lie that denies Jesus is the Christ.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Cross-references

2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
Jude 1:5 Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe.
Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.