Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 50, we are going to the study first part of 1 John 2:19.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us…
Let’s look at the definition of the words
They went out (1831. exerchomai) means to depart physically or spiritually.
From us (1537. ek or ex) (1473. egó) means out from among us.
But (235. alla) means except or however.
They did not belong to us (1510. eimi) (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) (1537. ek or ex) (1473. egó) means they, absolutely do not, exist or are present, with us or are of us.
This refers to individuals who were once part of the Christian community but departed either physically or spiritually. They were never fully committed.
This does not refer to someone who simply changes churches. This is about someone who leaves the Christian community entirely. They may have appeared to be Christians, but they were not truly part of the family of God.
Let’s go through some verses that speak about people who were among God’s people but chose to leave.
In Deuteronomy 13:13, we read about the children of Belial, or wicked men. These were individuals who arose from within the Israelite community and led others astray by promoting idolatry and rebellion against God.
Deuteronomy 13:13 that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
In Jeremiah 2:13, we read about people who have forsaken God to pursue worthless alternatives. They abandoned God in favor of false idols.
Jeremiah 2:13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
In Matthew 7:21-23, we read about people who outwardly profess faith and perform works in the Lord’s name but lack true faith and submission to God. A genuine relationship with God is reflected in aligning with His will through faithful actions.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
In Matthew 13:18-21, Jesus shares about about people who initially receive the Word of God with joy but lack depth and commitment. Because they are not firmly rooted in Christ, they quickly fall away when trouble or persecution arises.
Matthew 13:18-21 Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
In John 6:66, we read about disciples who were with Jesus but turned back and no longer followed Him. This reveals that they were never genuinely part of Christ.
John 6:66 From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, we read about people who once listened to God but turned to teachers who suited their own desires and rejected sound doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
In Revelation 2:4-5, we read about people who have lost their love for Christ and have fallen away. Jesus calls them to repent and return to the deeds they did at first.
Revelation 2:4-5 But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. 5 Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
In conclusion, the first part of 1 John 1:19 is speaking about people that were once a part of the Christian community, but went out from it. They were never born again and thus never part of the family of God.
When you go to church, you may think everyone around you is a true follower of Jesus, but that is not the case.
We have to be aware of these types of people because:
They could lead others to serve other gods and to look for other sources of fulfillment
They may look like they are serving God, but they will ultimately be cast out by the Lord.
They will have initially receive the Word of God with joy, but quickly fall away because the Word never took root.
They will turn to teachers who suit their own desires.
Jesus is calling people who have lost their first love to repent and come back to Him. He calls us to examine our own faith.
Are you truly with Christ and fellowshipping with His people, or are you just going through the motions with people that are really following Jesus? If not, turn to Jesus. God loves you and wants to spend time with you.
Let’s read our verse one more time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us…
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash. New Zealand Berean. Standard Bible.)
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