They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
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Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
They went out from us,.... Which intends not the persons that went down from Judea to Antioch, Act 15:1, who preached destructive doctrines to the Gentiles, which the apostles and the church of Judea…
Barnes' Notes
They went out from us - From the church. That is, they had once been professors of the religion of the Saviour, though their apostasy showed that they never had any true piety. John refers to the fact…
Adam Clarke
They went out from us - These heretics had belonged to our Christian assemblies, they professed Christianity, and do so still; but we apostles did not commission them to preach to you, for they have…
Here is, I. A moral prognostication of the time; the end is coming: Little children, it is the last time, Jo1 2:18. Some may suppose that the apostle here addresses the first rank of Christians again;…
Cambridge Bible
The relation of these antichristian teachers to the Church of Christ. They were formerly nominal members, but never real members of it. They are now not members in any sense. Note the repetition, so…
Cross References
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