1 John 2:26 kjv

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

1 John 2:26 nkjv

These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

1 John 2:26 niv

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

1 John 2:26 esv

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

1 John 2:26 nlt

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.

1 John 2 verses

1 John 2 26 Meaning

These words were penned by John as a crucial warning and pastoral guidance to believers, identifying the presence of individuals, termed "antichrists" or "deceivers," who were actively attempting to mislead them from the truth. The central message is to affirm the readers in their faith and to equip them against false teachings that contradict the apostolic doctrine, particularly concerning the person of Jesus Christ.

1 John 2 26 Context

This verse is situated within a critical section of 1 John (2:18-29) where John confronts the rising tide of false teachings in the early Christian communities. Prior to this verse, John has already established that "many antichrists have come" (1 Jn 2:18), identifying them as those who "went out from us, but they were not of us" (1 Jn 2:19), implying they were apostates who had previously associated with the Christian fellowship. He then provides the antidote to this deception: believers "have an anointing from the Holy One" and "know all things" (1 Jn 2:20). He defines the ultimate deception: denying Jesus as the Christ and thus denying the Father and the Son (1 Jn 2:22-23). The imperative is to "let what you heard from the beginning abide in you" (1 Jn 2:24), which secures the promise of eternal life. Verse 26, therefore, serves as a direct, explicit statement of John's purpose in writing these specific warnings – to arm his readers against these identified deceivers.

Historically and culturally, the early Church was contending with various philosophical and religious ideas, including burgeoning Gnostic thought. Gnosticism often taught that salvation came through secret "knowledge" (gnosis) and frequently denied the true humanity of Jesus (Docetism), asserting that He only seemed to have a physical body. Such beliefs undermined the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice and incarnation. John's letter strongly refutes these ideas, emphasizing the reality of Jesus Christ "come in the flesh" (1 Jn 4:2-3, 2 Jn 1:7) and contrasting the false teachers' deception with the Spirit's anointing received by genuine believers, which guides them into truth. The deceivers' arguments were persuasive enough to lead some astray, prompting John's clear and firm pastoral instruction.

1 John 2 26 Word analysis

• These things (ταῦτα, tauta): Refers directly back to the preceding declarations and warnings (1 Jn 2:18-25) concerning the "antichrists" and their false teachings about Jesus, especially their denial of Him as the Christ. It indicates John's deliberate summary and conclusion to this section of warning.

• I have written (ἔγραψα, egrapsa): This is an epistolary aorist, meaning John is referring to the act of writing the letter (or specific parts of it) that the recipients are currently reading. It underscores the purposeful and authoritative nature of his communication, emphasizing his pastoral care and direct addressing of the problem.

• to you (ὑμῖν, hymin): Identifies the direct recipients of John's letter – the genuine Christian community. It highlights the personal and concerned tone of the apostle.

• about those (περὶ τῶν, peri tōn): Specifies the object of his warning. It is not a general, abstract concept but particular individuals or groups, indicating their active presence and threat within or around the church.

• who are trying to deceive (πλανώντων, planōntōn): This is a present active participle, denoting a continuous or ongoing attempt to lead astray. The verb planáo (from which planōntōn derives) means "to wander," "to stray," "to mislead," or "to deceive." It strongly conveys active, intentional efforts to mislead by presenting error as truth, targeting the foundational beliefs of the believers. This word points directly to the polemical nature of the letter, confronting error with truth.

• you (ὑμᾶς, hymas): Reaffirms the recipients as the target of the deceivers, underlining the immediate danger and John's intent to protect them.

• "These things I have written to you": This phrase functions as a direct address and reiterates John's pastoral motivation. It serves as an authorial signpost, reinforcing that the warnings and truths just stated are crucial for his audience. It assures the readers that the instruction comes from an authentic, apostolic source concerned for their spiritual well-being.

• "about those who are trying to deceive you": This grouping clearly identifies the specific threat the letter is addressing. The "deceive" element implies not just misunderstanding but active, deliberate attempts to misguide, challenging the believers' established understanding of Christ and Christian doctrine. This phrase underscores the urgency and necessity of John's message, as these were not just abstract theological disputes but real, pressing threats to the faith and lives of the community members.

1 John 2 26 Bonus section

The deliberate phrase "I have written to you" (ἔγραψα ὑμῖν) is a recurring motif in 1 John (e.g., 1 Jn 1:4, 2:1, 2:12, 2:13, 2:14, 5:13), underscoring John's clear communicative intent. In each instance, it serves to clarify the specific purpose of the preceding or subsequent statement, anchoring the teaching in apostolic authority and pastoral care. Here in 1 John 2:26, it explicitly connects the prior identification of antichrists and their deceitful work with John's immediate purpose in writing this very epistle – to provide a clear theological and pastoral defense.

Furthermore, this verse acts as a bridge. While it concludes John's specific warning about those denying Christ's deity and humanity, it simultaneously prepares the way for his deeper exhortations on abiding in Christ and practicing righteousness, which are inherently tied to resisting deception. Only by staying rooted in the genuine Son can believers avoid being led astray by false teaching that denies Him. The very existence of such deceivers accentuates the vital need for the "anointing" of the Spirit (1 Jn 2:20) and continuous adherence to the truth originally delivered to the saints.

1 John 2 26 Commentary

John's intention in 1 John 2:26 is profoundly pastoral: to arm and anchor believers in the truth amidst cunning attempts to lead them astray. By stating "These things I have written to you about those who are trying to deceive you," John makes explicit the purpose of the preceding paragraphs (1 Jn 2:18-25), which identify and expose the "antichrists." He confirms that the theological arguments and warnings are not theoretical but are specifically crafted to combat present and active deceptive forces.

The essence of the deception being battled in John's time was Christological—a denial of Jesus's true identity as the Christ, specifically His full incarnation. Such denials undermine the very foundation of salvation through His atoning work. John emphasizes that true believers possess an inherent antidote to this poison: the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit (1 Jn 2:20). This spiritual anointing grants them discernment and knowledge of the truth, allowing them to distinguish sound doctrine from deceptive error. Therefore, John is not merely pointing out a problem; he is also reassuring and empowering his readers with the understanding of their spiritual resources. Their safeguard lies not in external systems alone, but in an inner anointing by the Spirit and a steadfast adherence to the original, apostolic teaching about Jesus received "from the beginning" (1 Jn 2:24).

For believers today, this verse remains intensely relevant. We too are susceptible to various forms of spiritual deception that often manifest as subtly distorted doctrines or practices deviating from biblical truth. John's words call for ongoing vigilance and discernment. The antidote remains the same: clinging to the biblical revelation of Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, to illuminate our understanding and guard our hearts.

Practical examples:

• Discerning teachers: Carefully evaluate teaching against the clear witness of Scripture, especially regarding the nature of Christ, salvation, and the character of God.
• Adhering to foundational truth: Consistently re-center faith on the historical, incarnate Christ, crucified, resurrected, and ascended.
• Relying on the Holy Spirit: Pray for and rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance to discern truth from error and resist misleading narratives that depart from apostolic doctrine.