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Book of 1 John - Chapter 2 - Verse 19

2:19
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.

Meaning

This verse from 1 John 2:19 discusses a theological concept known as the perseverance of the saints, which is a belief that those who are truly saved by Christ will persevere in their faith until the end. The passage is addressing the departure of individuals from the Christian community, stating that although they were once a part of the group, their eventual leaving proves that they were not truly part of the body of believers. The verse implies that those who are truly saved by God will remain in the faith and continue to grow in their relationship with Him. The departure of these individuals serves as a way to reveal their true nature and separate them from the genuine followers of Christ. This passage emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and the idea that true believers will exhibit a steadfast commitment to God and His teachings. It serves as a reminder to readers to discern between true and false followers of Christ, and to remain grounded in their faith despite the challenges that may come.

Theological Overview

In this passage from 1 John 2:19, the author discusses a group of people who had once been a part of the community of believers but eventually left. The statement "they went out from us, but they were not of us" highlights the idea that these individuals did not truly belong to the group of believers in the first place. The author suggests that if they had truly been part of the community of faith, they would have remained. This verse raises questions about the nature of true faith and the importance of perseverance in one's beliefs. The theological interpretation of this passage emphasizes the idea that genuine believers will continue in their faith even in times of difficulty or doubt. The author wants to make it clear that those who fall away were never truly committed to the faith to begin with. This passage serves as a reminder to believers to remain steadfast in their beliefs and to discern the authenticity of their faith.

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.
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