Why Did They Depart From Us? By Babatunde Olugboji

1 John 2:19 clarifies that those who depart from the Christian community and its doctrines, even after having been members, reveal that they were never authentically part of God’s people. The verse states, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. Their going out proved that none of them belonged to us.” This scripture is frequently cited to support the notion that genuine faith leads to perseverance; thus, if an individual strays, it indicates they were never truly saved, but merely had a superficial connection to the community.

We will explore this passage this week.

“They departed from us,” from the church. In other words, they had previously been professing their faith in the Savior, yet their apostasy revealed that they never possessed genuine piety. John alludes to the fact that they had once been part of the church, possibly to remind his audience that they were well acquainted with them and could easily understand their true nature. It is a humbling assertion that those who have demonstrated such complete opposition to religion were once members of the Christian community. Some of us, as believers, have frequently had to make such a statement.

“However, they were not part of us.” In other words, they did not genuinely belong to us, nor were they authentic Christians. This passage demonstrates that these individuals, regardless of their claims and professions, were likely never genuine followers of Christ. The same observation applies to all who fall away from the faith and become purveyors of falsehood. They were never truly converted; they never genuinely belonged to the spiritual church of Christ.

“For if they had been part of us,” if they had been sincere and authentic Christians. They would undoubtedly have continued with us – The phrase “no doubt” according to Bible scholars was added by translators, yet the assertion remains equally robust without it: “they would have stayed with us.” This clearly indicates, without any uncertainty or qualification, that had they been genuine Christians, they “would” have remained in the church; meaning, they would not have fallen away. There could not be a more definitive assertion than what is suggested here, that those who are authentic Christians will persist in their faith; or that the saints will not stray from grace.

John asserts regarding these individuals, which some Bible commentaries refer to false teachers, that if they had been true Christians, they would never have left the church. He presents this statement so broadly that it can be considered a universal truth, that if “any” are genuinely “of us,” that is, if they are true Christians, they will remain in the church, or will never deviate. The statement is also framed to convey that if any “do” depart from the church, it serves as conclusive evidence that they never possessed true faith, for had they truly had it, they would have remained loyal to the church.

However, they went out, so that it might be revealed that they were not all of us. It was allowed or permitted in God’s providence for this to happen, “so that” it could be demonstrated and recognized that they were not true Christians, or so that their true nature could be unveiled.

Have a great week!

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