1 John 2:19

They went out from us. Or, “they departed from us.” The defection of the false teachers of v. 18 had already taken place. His readers did not need to be told the circumstances of the apostasy, with which they were doubtless familiar. Whether the antichrists and their followers voluntarily withdrew from the church or whether they were excommunicated is not known. It is clear, however, that these false teachers had originally professed Christianity.

Were not of us. They had not experienced genuine repentance and at heart never truly belonged to the church. Doubtless, however, they had convinced themselves that their false teachings concerning the nature of Christ were true.

Continued. Gr. meno, “to abide,” a word John often uses (see on v. 6). Had the departed members truly belonged to the church they would have remained with it and shared in its spirit. Their departure proved the weakness of their connection with Christ and the church.

Made manifest. While the false teachers remained within the church it was not easy for the faithful to discern their true character. But when they left the church their heresy was revealed, and it became evident that they had never truly belonged to Christ.

They were not all of us. Rather, “they all were not of us.” The Greek makes clear that, at heart, none of the apostates ever really belonged to the church. On the basis of John’s declaration here some have concluded that these apostates had been predestined to be lost and that no true Christian can fall from grace. However, John warns his readers against the dangers that beset the Christian’s pathway (vs. 15-17) in view of the possibility that some who belonged to Christ might be led astray thereby. If they depart from the church, it is by virtue of their own choice (see on John 10:28), not some irrevocable divine decree. Concerning Bible predestination see on John 3:17-21; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:4-6; cf. 1 Peter 1:2.