1 John 2:22
Who is a lier, but hee that denieth that Iesus is the Christ? hee is Antichrist, that denyeth the Father, and the Sonne. 1 John 2:22 (KJV)
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
First John is a letter written by the apostle John to a group of believers to address certain issues and to provide them with encouragement and guidance. In this particular verse John warns the readers about the presence of false teachers who deny that Jesus is the Christ. He identifies such a person as a liar—someone who deliberately speaks falsehood or rejects the truth—and labels him an antichrist, one who opposes Christ’s claims and denies the Father and the Son.
Key elements of the verse include the term “liar,” which refers to a deliberate denial of truth; the denial that Jesus is the Christ, meaning a rejection of the fact that Jesus is the long‑awaited Messiah; the designation “antichrist,” indicating opposition to Christ; and the denial of the Father and the Son, which undermines the essential relationship within the Trinity. To study the verse in its proper context, it is helpful to read the surrounding passage, 1 John 2:18‑23, which expands on the existence of many antichrists and urges believers to hold fast to the truth they have received.
Related themes include deception and false teachings that distort the truth about Jesus Christ, the importance of confessing Jesus as the Christ—the anointed Savior sent by God for humanity’s salvation—and the danger of denying the relationship between the Father and the Son, which distorts the true nature of God. John’s warning highlights the need for believers to be discerning, testing teachings against Scripture, and remaining vigilant against deception.
The centrality of Jesus Christ is underscored: our faith hinges on the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the unique Son of God and Savior of the world. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God reveals the Father’s love, grace, and desire to reconcile humanity to Himself.
Application of the verse calls believers to stay grounded in the truth of who Jesus is as revealed in the Bible, to cultivate a discerning spirit through diligent study of Scripture, and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide understanding. Confessing Jesus as the Christ should shape our comprehension of God’s love and motivate us to share the good news with others. As John’s letter reminds us, studying the Bible is an ongoing process, and engaging with reliable resources, commentaries, and fellow believers deepens our grasp of God’s Word.
