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 56 we are going to study the last part of 1 John 2:21.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 2:21...and because no lie comes from the truth.
Now, let’s go over the definition of the words.
And (2532. kai) means “also.”
Because (3754. hoti) means “that” or “since.”
No (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) is the absolute negative.
Lie (5579. pseudos) refers to a falsehood, deception, or untruth.
Comes (1510. eimi) means “exists.”
From (1537. ek or ex) means “out from among.”
The truth (3588. ho, hé, to) refers to reality, sincerity, correctness, or truth as the moral and ethical standard rooted in God's character.
In Lesson 55 we learned that John wrote this epistle to the readers, not because they lacked knowledge of the truth, but because they already have it. He encourages them that the truth is already within them.
In this part of 1 John 2:21 John is reminding the reader that no falsehood, deception, or untruth comes from or originates in the moral and ethical standard that is rooted in God’s character.
John is combating the lies propagated by the antichrists and false teachers. This was happening in John’s time and continues today.
This part of the verse declares that God cannot produce lies.
Since God cannot lie, anything contrary to the gospel or to Christ is a lie and cannot come from God.
Lies and truth are incompatible.
Truth aligns with God's character, while distortions, deviations, and rejection of the truth come from the devil.
In John 8:44, we read that the devil is the father of lies. Deceit and falsehood are at the core of his nature.
John 8:44 …He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
In Titus 1:2, we read that God cannot lie. If God cannot lie, this means He is the source of truth. This is rooted in His unchanging nature. You can trust what He says because no lie comes from the truth.
Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
In Numbers 23:19, we read that God does not lie because He has an unchanging, truthful nature. Since God is the source of all truth, lies are not a part of His nature. God is the ultimate source of truth. When He makes a promise, He fulfills it. You can trust God because He always speaks the truth and does what He says He will do.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
In John 14:6, we read that Jesus declares Himself as the truth. This means that lies are not part of His nature and cannot come from Him. Every word that comes from Jesus is true, and anything opposed to Him is a lie. Jesus is the ultimate source of truth, and His nature is completely free from deception.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life…”
In James 3:11, we read that fresh water and salt water can't come from the same spring. This relates to 1 John 2:21 because lies cannot come from truth, just as fresh water cannot come from a salty spring. Truth and lies are incompatible. Truth cannot produce falsehood.
James 3:11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
In Revelation 22:1, we read about crystal-clear, pure water flowing from the throne of God. This symbolizes the pure, life-giving truth that comes from Him. Nothing impure or false originates from God—His truth is completely pure and cannot be corrupted by falsehood or impurity.
Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In conclusion, no lie comes from the truth because it is impossible for God to lie. He never has lied and never will. He is eternally unchanging. He is the truth, and lies are not part of His nature.
We learned that fresh water and salt water can’t come from the same spring. Similarly, truth and lies can’t come from the same source. Since God is pure, only truth comes from Him, while the devil is the father of lies, and only lies come from him.
Finally, we learned about the crystal-clear, pure water that flows from the throne of God. Everything that comes from God is truth; there is no lie that comes from God.
You can completely trust that everything God says is true.
Let’s read the final part of 1 John 2:21 one more time.
1 John 2:21...and because no lie comes from the truth.
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Shadman Sakib on Unsplash. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland. Berean Standard Bible.)
Share this post