Holding On When People Walk Away
How do we stay grounded when trusted spiritual leaders lose their way?
1 John 2:18-29
Read the whole passage before anything else. Everything below exists to help you understand what you just read.
18Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
19They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.
20You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
21I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
23Whoever denies the Son doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.
24Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.
25This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.
26These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.
27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
28Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
What just happened?
Imagine a small, tightly-knit community of believers living in Ephesus, a bustling port city in Asia Minor, around the last decade of the first century AD. They'd likely met in homes, sharing meals and stories, their lives intertwined. John, one of Jesus' closest companions, had been a guiding presence for years, perhaps decades. The air in Ephesus would have been thick with the scent of spices, the clang of artisans, and the murmur of many languages, but within these Christian communities, there was a shared sense of purpose and a profound understanding of who Jesus was.
Then, something happened that would have shaken their foundations. Certain individuals, once part of their inner circle, began to peel away. These weren't just casual attendees; John explicitly says, "They went out from us." These were people who had sat beside them, prayed with them, and perhaps even taught among them. But they started questioning core beliefs, particularly about Jesus' identity. They likely taught that Jesus was not truly human, or that he was not the divine Son of God, ideas that were beginning to circulate in the broader philosophical currents of the Greco-Roman world.
John is writing this letter to a group of churches facing this specific crisis. Their spiritual landscape had been disrupted. Friends, mentors, or respected voices had not just left, but had actively turned against the central tenets of their faith, specifically the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God come in the flesh. This wasn't a theological debate for academics; it was a personal betrayal and a genuine threat to the spiritual well-being of the community. John's letter is an anchor, reminding them what they already know and how to navigate this internal fracturing.
The Unexpected Exodus
John starts with a stark observation: "Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour." The term 'Antichrist' isn't a singular boogeyman here, but describes a spirit of opposition to Christ. John observes that this spirit is already at work through "many antichrists"—people who deny essential truths about Jesus. He uses this as evidence that they are living in a crucial historical period, an 'end time' marked by intensifying spiritual conflict.
Then, John delivers the gut punch: "They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us." This isn't a casual departure. The Greek phrase 'ex hēmon exēlthan' literally means 'they went out from among us.' It speaks to a clear separation, a rupture. John is making a pointed distinction: their departure reveals that their allegiance was never truly with the community or with Christ. Their leaving serves to make their true nature, or lack of true belonging, evident to everyone.
The Inner Compass of Truth
John pivots from the problem to the solution, reminding his readers of their own internal resources. "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." The word for 'anointing' here is 'chrisma' (χρῖσμα), from which we get 'Christ' (Christos), meaning 'anointed one.' It refers to the special endowment of the Holy Spirit, which gives believers insight and understanding. John is saying they possess an internal spiritual radar. They don't need external authorities to tell them what they already perceive to be true.
He clarifies his reason for writing: "I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth." He’s not introducing new information; he’s reinforcing what they already grasp. He then defines the 'liar' and the 'Antichrist' with precision: "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also." For John, the core lie, the foundational denial, is rejecting that Jesus is the Messiah, the divine Son of God. This denial isn't just about Jesus; it severs the connection to God the Father as well.
Staying Planted
Having diagnosed the problem and affirmed their spiritual capacity, John urges steadfastness: "Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning." The 'beginning' (archē, ἀρχῇ) refers to the foundational teaching they received when they first believed—the core truths about Jesus. The Greek word for 'remain' is 'menō' (μένω), which appears repeatedly in this passage. It means to stay, abide, or endure. John promises that if these original truths abide in them, they will abide "in the Son, and in the Father." This isn't a passive waiting, but an active, committed dwelling within relationship.
He then loops back to the 'anointing' (chrisma) of verse 20, emphasizing its ongoing work: "As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him." This doesn't mean they don't need human teachers, but that the Spirit within them acts as a final authority, confirming truth and exposing falsehood, particularly when human teachers lead astray. This internal guide helps them remain connected to Jesus, offering confidence for his eventual return: "Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming." He concludes by tying knowledge of God to righteous living: knowing God is righteous means that true believers will naturally practice righteousness.
What are we supposed to see?
This passage shows a God who is deeply concerned with truth and integrity. When people within the community begin to distort foundational beliefs about Jesus, God doesn't just watch passively. Through John, he provides clear, direct guidance, affirming the truth and exposing the lie. This isn't about theological hair-splitting; it's about the very identity of Jesus Christ, which God reveals as non-negotiable. His action is to equip his followers with an internal compass, the Holy Spirit, which acts as a reliable guide in confusing times, essentially making them capable of discerning truth from falsehood for themselves.
Jesus, as presented here, is the central figure around whom all truth revolves. The very definition of 'Antichrist' is someone who denies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This shows Jesus as the touchstone of faith and the key to understanding God the Father. He is the one whose identity must be affirmed, and the one in whom believers must 'remain.' The promise of "eternal life" is connected to him, and the 'anointing' that teaches believers is from him. His return is anticipated, and the call is to live in such a way that one can face him with confidence, not shame.
- 1WHAT HE VALUES
God values truth above all, especially concerning the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. He values integrity within his community, where words match actions and belief lines up with reality.
- 2WHAT HE CONFRONTS
God confronts deception and denial of Jesus' true identity. He confronts those who sow division and lead others astray by promoting falsehoods about who Jesus is.
- 3IDENTITY
God is the 'Holy One' who anoints his people with the Spirit, giving them discernment and knowledge. He is the Father, inextricably linked to the Son, Jesus Christ, and accessible through him.
Where this sits in the whole Bible
1 John 2:20 → John 14:26
John 14:26 promises that the Holy Spirit, the 'Helper,' will 'teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.' This directly connects to 1 John 2:20 and 27, where John assures his readers that they 'have an anointing' and 'don't need for anyone to teach' them, as the anointing 'teaches you concerning all things.' The Holy Spirit is the internal teacher, providing discernment.
1 John 2:24 → John 15:4
John 15:4, part of Jesus' 'vine and branches' discourse, instructs, 'Remain in me, and I in you.' This echoes John's repeated emphasis in 1 John 2:24, 27, and 28 to 'let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning' and to 'remain in him.' Both passages stress the essential, life-giving connection to Jesus for spiritual vitality and perseverance.
1 John 2:22 → 2 John 1:7
2 John 1:7 describes 'many deceivers who have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.' This is a direct parallel to 1 John 2:22, which defines the 'Antichrist' as 'he who denies that Jesus is the Christ.' Both letters from John address the same specific heresy concerning Jesus' humanity and divinity, underscoring its danger.
The 'Antichrist' here isn't just a future figure; it's a present spirit of denial concerning Jesus' true identity, manifesting through people who were once part of the community.
Don't rush past this
The most uncomfortable truth in this passage is John's stark declaration in verse 19: "They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us." This isn't a gentle suggestion that people can simply change their minds. It's a blunt assertion that some individuals, even those who seem deeply involved in a faith community, were never truly part of it. This forces us to grapple with the idea that shared experiences, outward conformity, or even teaching positions don't automatically guarantee genuine belonging or true faith. It's a challenging thought for any community that values inclusivity and acceptance.
Furthermore, the passage implies a hard line regarding core beliefs. The 'Antichrist' is defined simply as one who denies Jesus is the Christ, denying the Father and the Son. This creates a clear boundary: certain denials about Jesus’ identity are not just theological differences of opinion but foundational ruptures from truth itself. This can feel uncomfortable in a world that often prizes ambiguity and minimizes doctrinal distinctives, suggesting that some beliefs are indeed non-negotiable for true faith.
Turn it inward
Three questions from this passage. Answer them or just sit with them — nothing here is required to finish the lesson.
God, thank you for the Spirit within us, our inner compass. Help us to discern truth from falsehood, especially when trusted voices lead astray. Give us the courage to remain steadfast in what we know about Jesus, even when it's unpopular or difficult. Keep us anchored in him, so we can live with confidence until his return. Amen.
This week, identify one core belief about Jesus that you hold, perhaps one you learned 'from the beginning.' Spend 5 minutes reflecting on why that belief matters to you personally, and how it grounds you when you encounter conflicting ideas or spiritual confusion.
History, language, objections and sources. None of it is needed to understand the passage.
John says, 'You don’t need for anyone to teach you' (2:27). Is he really saying we don't need pastors, teachers, or Bible studies? Doesn't the Bible also say God gives teachers to the church?
This is a common question, and John's statement here sounds contradictory if taken in isolation. However, the context is crucial. John is addressing a specific situation where trusted spiritual leaders have betrayed the community by spreading false teaching. In this crisis, he's reassuring his readers that they possess an internal, reliable guide—the Holy Spirit (the 'anointing'). This Spirit will confirm truth and expose lies, meaning they don't need to depend *solely* on external teachers, especially unreliable ones. It's not a blanket dismissal of all human teaching. Other New Testament passages, like Ephesians 4:11, clearly state that God gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to the church for its equipping. So, John is affirming the Spirit's role as the ultimate discerning authority in times of confusion, not negating the value of faithful human instruction.
How can John say these people 'didn’t belong to us' just because they left or believed something different? Isn't that an arrogant judgment? Who gets to decide who 'belongs'?
John's statement, "They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us," is a strong claim. From John's perspective, this isn't an arbitrary judgment but an observation based on their actions and core beliefs. The community defined its identity by certain foundational truths about Jesus. Those who rejected these truths and actively taught against them were, by definition, outside that community's core. The phrase 'didn't belong to us' doesn't necessarily mean they were never sincere at some point, but that their departure and doctrinal shift revealed a fundamental divergence in allegiance or understanding. John saw their actions as a self-revelation: their walking away from core beliefs demonstrated that they were not truly aligned with the group's foundational understanding of Christ. In this specific context of early Christian communities, shared belief in Jesus' identity was the very glue that held them together, so a departure from that belief was seen as a departure from the group itself.
John says "these are the end times" and the "final hour" (2:18). It's been almost 2000 years. Was he just wrong about the timing of the end of the world?
This is a frequent point of contention when reading New Testament texts that speak of 'the end times.' Many biblical scholars suggest that 'the end times' in the New Testament doesn't refer to a single, imminent apocalyptic event, but rather to the entire period inaugurated by Jesus' first coming and culminating in his second coming. For John, the arrival of Jesus, his death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit marked a decisive turning point in human history—the beginning of the end of the old age and the dawn of God's new creation. The presence of 'antichrists' (people actively opposing Christ) was seen as a sign that this 'end time' process was indeed underway. So, John wasn't necessarily predicting the immediate end of the world within his lifetime, but rather observing that the decisive, final era of salvation history had already begun with Christ's arrival. This view is sometimes called 'inaugurated eschatology,' meaning the end has been inaugurated but not yet consummated.
The Context of Proto-Gnosticism
While John doesn't name a specific group, many scholars identify the 'antichrists' in 1 John as proponents of an early form of Gnosticism, or what is sometimes called 'proto-Gnosticism.' Gnosticism was a diverse religious movement prominent in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, but its roots and ideas were already circulating in the late 1st century. A key Gnostic belief was dualism: the spiritual world was good, and the material world was evil. This led to specific theological problems concerning Jesus.
If matter is evil, Gnostics struggled with how God, who is good, could inhabit a material body. Some, known as Docetists (from the Greek 'dokeō,' to seem), taught that Jesus only *seemed* to have a physical body, or that the divine Christ descended into the human Jesus at his baptism and left him before his crucifixion. This directly contradicts John's emphasis that Jesus 'came in the flesh' (1 John 4:2, 2 John 1:7) and his assertion that denying Jesus is the Christ (meaning, the divine Son in human form) is the mark of the Antichrist. John's letter is a pastoral response to these specific philosophical and theological challenges that were undermining the core Christian confession.