Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1 JOHN 2:22KJV
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1 John 2:22 (KJV)

What does 1 John 2:22 mean?

1 John 2:22 says that anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ is a liar, and such a person is called "antichrist" because they deny both the Father and the Son. The verse draws a clear line between truth and falsehood based on whether someone confesses or denies Jesus as the Christ.

The apostle John is writing to early Christians, warning them about false teachers who were spreading ideas that denied Jesus’s true identity. In this context, calling someone "antichrist" means they are actively opposing or rejecting the central Christian claim that Jesus is the Messiah and that this denial also rejects God the Father, since the two are closely connected in Christian belief.

The Greek behind 1 John 2:22

  • "ἀντίχριστος" (antichristos): This word means "opponent of Christ" or "one who stands against Christ." In this verse, it is not just a future figure but anyone who denies Jesus as the Christ.
  • "ψεύστης" (pseustēs): This word is translated as "liar." John uses strong language to show that denying Jesus as the Christ is not just a mistake but a serious falsehood.
  • "ἀρνέομαι" (arneomai): This verb means "to deny" or "to refuse to acknowledge." The repeated use in this verse emphasizes an active rejection, not just a passive doubt.

Why 1 John 2:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that, for John, belief in Jesus as the Christ is not optional but central to Christian faith, and denying it is a serious error.
  • It shows that rejecting Jesus also means rejecting God the Father, highlighting the close relationship between the two in Christian teaching.
  • The verse helps readers understand the strong language John uses against false teaching, setting boundaries for what he considers genuine Christian belief.

Where else these words appear

“antichrist” Greek G500 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
  • 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
  • 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

“liar” Greek G5583 · used in 10 verses

  • John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
  • 1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
  • 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

“denieth” Greek G720 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
  • John 18:25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
  • 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

“but” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
  • Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.