“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
2:19 They were not of us - When they went; their hearts were before departed from God, otherwise, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest - That is, this was made manifest by their going out.
1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us. This implies that these antichrists were apostates. The worst men are often those who were once outwardly religious and have fallen away. For if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us. Had they been true and genuine Christians they could hardly have fallen into such a state of enmity. Their going away and bitter opposition show that they were not real converts.