When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”
A true Israelite, one who is upholding the covenant of God, is one in whom there is no guile. “guile” (KJV) = dolos = bait for catching fish; therefore any cunning contrivance for catching or deceiving. The term was used by the Greeks for, among other things , the Trojan horse. Biblically it is used of Jacob before his conversion; in fact, one translator renders this part of the verse as “an Israelite in whom there is no Jacob.” (Temple) Having no deceit or guile was also an attribute of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:9) and is an attribute of one who is blessed of the Lord (Psa 32:2). Why did Jesus place such store in this quality?
Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Psalms 32:2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Note that Jesus only praises Nathanael, and does not say a word about his doubts or prejudices. Jesus does not condemn us (John 8:11). He is always looking for the good in us and when He finds it; he encourages us with it and even brags about us to others. Jesus only has good words for us or words that are good for us.Joh 8:11 “No-one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”