How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)
Quote #1
Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist. (1 John 2:4, NRSV)
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4, KJV)
Actions matter when it comes to the truth. The elder says that if you go around telling people you're cool with Jesus, but you aren't acting like it (by doing what he said to do), then you're a liar, liar pants on fire.
Quote #2
I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:8, NRSV)
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. (1 John 2:8, KJV)
The elder has something new to say, but that doesn't mean it's not true. In fact, it's a shining beacon of truth light beaming out in the darkness. Yeah, the elder is pretty sure of himself.
Quote #3
I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:21-22, NRSV)
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:21-22, KJV)
The elder's audience isn't lumped in with the liars…yet. The elder is mostly worried that they'll start seeing truth in his opponents—and that would be terrible for everyone.