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1 John 2:21 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²¹I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth. You are not to regard my writing to you earnestly as any evidence that I do not suppose you are acquainted with religion and its duties. Perhaps some might have been disposed to put this construction on what he had said, but he assures them that that was not why he had thus addressed them. The very fact that they did understand the subject of religion, he says, was rather the reason why he wrote to them.

but because you do know it. This was the ground of his hope that his appeal would be productive. If they had never known what religion was and was ignorant of its nature and its claims, he would have had much less hope of being able to guard them against error and securing their steady walk on the path of righteousness, holiness, and purity. We may always make a strong and confident appeal to those who really understand what the nature of religion is and what is the evidence of its truth.

And because no lie is of the truth. No form of error, however plausible it may appear, however ingeniously it may be defended, and however much it may seem to be favorable to human virtue and happiness, can be founded in truth. What the apostle says here somewhat resembles a truism (common truth, a cliché). Still, it contains a real truth of vital importance, which should greatly influence our minds regarding any proposed opinion or doctrine. Error often appears plausible. It seems to be adapted to relieve the mind of many difficulties that perplex and embarrass it on the subject of the Christian faith. It appears to be adapted to promote the Christian faith. It seems to make those who embrace it happy and apparently enjoy the Christian faith for a time. But John says that however plausible all this may be, however much it may seem to prove that the doctrines thus embraced are of God, it is a tremendous and vital maxim that no error can have its foundation in truth and, of course, that it must be worthless. The grand question is, what is truth, and when that is determined, we can easily settle the inquiries about the various doctrines abroad in the world.

Anointed Christians should have “knowledge,” which is essential to know concerning the subject of Christ and Christianity, and they should know “the truth” as it relates to Jesus Christ. On the other hand, apostates have wrong ideas about him. Since “no lie is of the truth,” all lovers of God refuse such false views and reject those promoting them.

By Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews