Episode Details

Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.

In Lesson 52, we are going to study the last part of 1 John 2:19.

Let’s read the last part of the verse.

1 John 2:19…But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

Let’s go over the definitions of the words.

But (235. alla) means except or however.

Their departure means they went out.

Made it clear (5319. phaneroó) means to make manifest, to reveal, to make known, or to show openly.

That (3754. hoti) means since or because.

None of them (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) is the absolute negative adverb.

Belonged to (1510. eimi) means to be, to exist, to happen, or to be present

Us (1473. egó) is the first person plural.

In other words, when someone departs from Christian community, it reveals, makes manifest, or makes it clear that they were never truly part of the family of God or "belonged to us."

In Lesson 51, the previous lesson, we learned that true believers in Jesus abide in Him, remain steadfast, dwell with Him, and endure alongside other followers of Jesus.

Jesus calls His followers to abide in Him and to love other believers as He has loved us. This is God’s will for our lives.

The part of the verse we are studying today teaches us that our actions reveal the true nature of our heart.

Let’s study some verses that show us how what is in our hearts will ultimately reveal who we are.

In Luke 6:45, we read that when someone’s heart is filled with goodness, it will overflow with good, while an evil heart will produce evil. What is in a person’s heart will be displayed through their words and actions.

When someone abides in Christ and remains with fellow believers, even during difficulties, it demonstrates that Christ is in their heart. Their life will show evidence of the good treasure within their heart. Conversely, when someone leaves the fellowship of believers, it reveals that their heart was not truly aligned with Christ and His people.

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

In Luke 8:16-17, we learn that nothing hidden or concealed will remain unknown; everything will eventually be brought to light. Similarly, in 1 John 2:19 we see that when people leave the body of believers, it reveals that they are not true believers and do not have Christ in their hearts.

Luke 8:16-17 No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they set it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.