Translations
Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
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 it is so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.
Latin
Ex nobis prodierunt, sed non erant ex nobis, nam, si fuissent ex nobis, permansissent utique nobiscum: sed ut manifesti sint quoniam non sunt omnes ex nobis.
Original
Greek
English
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.
Notes
They went out from us: This is John’s first clear statement about the false teachers. At one time, these teachers were part of the church community. They shared fellowship with John and with the other apostles. Later, they chose to leave that fellowship. They also formed a separate and exclusive group that followed false teachings about Jesus (see 4:1; 2 John 1:7; 3 John 1:9–10).
none of them belonged to us: True Christians would have remained in fellowship with the apostles and remained faithful to their teachings.
Theme notes and profiles
Apostasy Remaining in Christ The Seventy Sets of Seven The Written Word
Glossary
Antichrist Apostasy Beast First Letter of John Love Shekinah
Topics
Apostates: Never Belonged to Christ Perseverance: General Scriptures Concerning