1 John 2:19

The people who oppose Christ refused to remain in our congregations, but they never really ◄belonged with us/were fellow believers►. If they had ◄belonged with us/been fellow believers►, they would have remained with us. But because they left, everyone can clearly know that none of them ◄belongs with us/is a fellow believer►.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

18You who are very dear to me, it is now ◄the final part [MTY] of this age/the final period of time before Jesus returns►. Just like you heard from us apostles that a person who opposes Christ will come/appear, even now there are many people who oppose Christ. That is why we know that it is the final part of this age (OR, before Jesus returns) [MTY].

20But as for you, you have been given the power of God’s Spirit, which comes from Christ (OR, God), the Holy One. As a result, you all know how to ◄ distinguish false teaching from/recognize what is false teaching and what is► the true message.

Read all of 1 John 2

Cross References

Job 17:9Those who claim that they are righteous will continue to do what they think is right, and those who say they have not sinned will continue to become stronger.

Psalms 41:9Even my best friend, whom I trusted very much, who often ate with me, has ◄betrayed me/put me into my enemies’ hands► [IDM].

Jeremiah 32:38They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Mark 4:16Some people are like the ground where the soil was not very deep over rock. When they hear God’s message, they immediately accept it with joy.

Luke 8:13Some people are like the soil with rock underneath. When they hear God’s message, they accept it joyfully. But because it does not penetrate deeply [MET] into their inner beings, they believe it for only a short time. They are like the plants that did not have deep roots. When difficult things happen to them, they stop believing God’s message.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 2:19-20

Concerning Antichrist. ( a. d. 80.) 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 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. Here is, I. A moral prognostication of the time; the end is coming: Little children, it is the last time, v.… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 2:19