John was addressing the Gnostics, who were deceived by their own teaching. Have not only heard, but seen with our eyes, which we have beheld - Attentively considered on various occasions. © 2017 New Nature Ministries All rights reserved. A son may fall out of favor with his family, but he is still a member of the family. John’s Prologue ends by saying that no one has ever seen God, that the Son is the only one close to God, and that the Son has made God known. The Effect shows the Subject, to whom the name of Light is most applicable [whose attributes entitle Him best to the name. What does it mean that God is light? as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[ b] sin. But it is to be applied to unbelievers who don’t believe in sin and therefore do not cry out to a savior to forgive and cleanse them of all sin. Hebrews 10:12 says that Jesus offered one sacrifice for all sins for all of time. John 1:9, KJV: "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Which was — Namely, with the Father, verse 2, before he was manifested. The church John was writing to had these false brothers in the church who were actively trying to deceive people. Since the letter identifies no specific church, location, or individual to whom it was sent, its classification is as a “general epistle”. God, proceeding upon the bloodshed and sacrifice of Christ, which What is the lust of the flesh? person, and points him out, to whom God will and does make known 1 John 1:9, ESV: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This is the Gospel message for this day. Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness. Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further follow the verse-by-verse . pardon, nor of the manifestation of it, but is descriptive of the Controversy has arisen over the meaning and interpretation of 1 John 1:9-10. Son Jesus Christ, who is the nearest antecedent, and who, being If you don’t believe in the existence of sin you cannot be born again. It applies to us by showing us that in order for a person to come out of darkness and lies they must see the truth of themselves and of Christ. The book of 1 John was written to believers but was written to address the real error of Gnosticism which was infiltrating the early church. acts of God intend his mercies and benefits unto men; see ( That is why 1 John 1:7 and 9 are clear references to someone who is not born again, that if they would acknowledge their sin and their need for a savior then God is faithful to forgiven them and cleanse them of, not just their past sins, but all of their past and future sins once and for all time! the law and justice of God, it is a righteous thing in him to We have a new legal status in Christ that says “not guilty”, “not condemned” and He is our advocate and our defense that pleads our legal status – even if we do still sin! So when you do proper hermeneutics of 1 John 1:9 it becomes abundantly clear that it is not to be applied to a believer saying they have to be continually forgiven and cleansed of sin, since this completely undermines the very heart of the Gospel and the sacrifice of Christ. Notice how both verses say that we are cleansed from “all” sin. Go To 1 John Index. Test the *spirits to see if they are true (1 John 4:1-6) v1 My friends, do not believe every *spirit. John 1:43-51 God Calls Philip And Nathaniel. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 1 John 1:9 and 10. Daniel 4:27 ) To the right of the cross is John with his finger ever directed towards Jesus. Son; for his blood being shed, and hereby satisfaction made to Why do we need to confess our sins in they have already been forgiven (1 John 1:9)? The indispensible duty required on our part, and that is confession of sin, If we confess. has convinced of it, and has shown him its exceeding sinfulness, See the notes on the parallel passages in the margin; and particularly in St. John's gospel, John 1 note. forgiveness of sin here intends not the act of forgiveness, as in God, against whom it is committed, and who only can pardon: and a His sacrifice was superior to the Old Covenant sacrifice in that it doesn’t need to keep being offered in order to keep covering sins. That is why chapter 2:1 says that if you do sin you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The issue in experiential forgiveness is not acceptance by … If you don’t believe in sin then you don’t believe you need the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from sin. The answer is, Pentecost. International Bible Study Commentary. But that is not the case. This was John’s mission. Study Hints for Discussion and Thinking Further. From 1 John 1:6 to verse 10, John is addressing people who don’t believe in the existence of sin. Confession in 1 John 1:9. What is the lust of the eyes? Of the Wo… The first part of the verse says “I write this to you so that you don’t sin, but if anyone does sin we have an advocate…”. This is the description of those who are walking in the darkness of a lie. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”, Click here to watch my full sermon explanation of 1 John 1:9 (37 minutes, HD). Very good article. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with … poor is sometimes expressed by righteousness; and the righteous Book of 1 John - Bible Survey Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? So they interpret this as a reference to the eternality of the Son of God. Why would you call upon a savior that you don’t believe you need? California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Especially vs 26 “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.”). sins: just"; in being "true", as the Arabic version adds, to his word; man that truly confesses his sin is one that the Spirit of God Once they do that then He is faithful to forgive them and cleanse them of all unrighteousness. John 1:1-9 Snapshots of the Lord’s Life. Developed By Oneide, 1 John 1:9 explained clearly - does not say believers need to get continual forgiveness, Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter to get your free e-copy, Click here to watch my full sermon explanation of 1 John 1:9. The context of 1 John 1:9 flows directly from 1 John 1:1, where “we” and “our” refers to and includes the writer, the Apostle John, who was a Christian. So let us take the three keys we have learned and put them all together as we seek to understand 1 John 1:9. and to cleanse us, from all unrighteousness, Two key verses that show us this context are: 1 John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”, 1 John 1:10 “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”. John 4:1-9 Commentary New American Standard Bible Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further follow the verse-by- verse International Bible Study Commentary.Study Hints for Discussion and Thinking Further will help with class preparation and in conducting class … John 1:9 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] John 1:9, NIV: "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." They are therefore considered to be “walking in darkness” or a lie and are therefore not saved. of justice, with respect to the blood of Christ, and of pure the notion and idea of mercy and beneficence; hence mercy to the On that day the prophetic feast of centuries was fulfilled. I don’t know about you but I believe that the Cross was powerful and effective enough to deal with all of our sins! and filled him with a godly sorrow for it, and given him The antecedent to the relative "he" in the text, is either God, It is poetic prose—prose with the soul of poetry—prose that, like poetry, packs layers of meaning in a word or phrase. truly God, has a power to forgive sin. The promised gift of the HOLY SPIRIT was given, sent from the presence of the Father by the glorified CHRIST (Acts 2:33+). By His coming the Body of CHRIST was formed and belie… The reality of god was not a matter of faith with John. This is a very important distinction. The forgiveness of 1:9 is experiential forgiveness. Ἦν, was) The Light itself, moreover, was that true light, which enlighteneth. comes and acknowledges it before the Lord, humbly imploring, for John 5:1-9 Commentary New International Version . All rights reserved. ]— τὸ ἀληθινόν, the true) There follows immediately the declaration, which enlighteneth, etc. John 1:9. acknowledge in general what sinful creatures we are, without It is the first and largest in a series of 3 epistles that bear the Apostle John’s name. sinner, humbled under a sense of sin, and confessing it before Observe, 3. An advocate is someone who speaks on your behalf and pleads your innocence. 12:7 ) ; and so forgiveness of sin springs from the tender John 1:9, ESV: "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world." and who, under such a sight and sense of sin, and concern for it, the word here used may answer to the Hebrew word (qydu) , which sometimes carries in it God always bases our experiential forgiveness on our positional forgiveness. A representative quote - What, may we ask, has intervened since the life, death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord that imparts to the Apostle's Epistle a viewpoint so definitely in advance over that taken in his Gospel, yet so closely related to it? 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”. Christ's sake, his pardoning grace and mercy; and such obtain it: he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:1 through 1 John 2:2 If that is true then Jesus dying on the cross didn’t properly deal with all our sins. If we confess our sins We must help them come into Christ by showing them truth and not to agree with them in their deception. come; but an application of pardoning grace to a poor sensible repentance unto salvation, that needeth not to be repented of; 1:9-13, Word and World In John 1:9-13 there are three different responses to the manifestation of the Word-Light in the world: 1) the world does not … grace and mercy to the pardoned sinner: the following clause. Once again, the verse says this: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Almighty God in pardoning sin performs an act of strict justice with respect to Christ, as well as an act of grace and mercy, in regard of us; he is faithful and just, as well as gracious and merciful. What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith? John 1:9-13 suggest that just as Jesus is a child of God, so are we. If it’s speaking to a believer then it means when we sin we become unrighteous again until we confess our sins and are forgiven of them again. Proud member It’s not an ongoing act as in the Old Covenant. It’s not an ongoing act as in the Old Covenant. of Of course this doesn’t mean it’s ok to feel free to go and sin. entering into particulars; for confession of sin is to be made to 1 John 1:9. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. They argue that this is supported by the phrase in 1 John 1:2, “was with the Father,” and by 2:13, 14, which refers to Jesus as existing “from the beginning.” (John Stott argues for this, The Epistles of John … Nothing more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. In the Old Covenant the blood of bulls and goats were continuously offered and could only cover sins but in the New Covenant the blood of Christ was offered once for all and it removes sins! The purpose of the first chapter of 1 John was to compare the truth of God to the error of gnosticism. Barnes's 1-john 1:9 Bible Commentary If we confess our sins - Pardon in the Scriptures, always supposes that there is confession, and there is no promise that it will be imparted unless a full acknowledgment has been made. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Jesus as a baby cannot devolve into sentimentality but has everything to do with its promise for us. In others words Christ’s one sacrifice was enough to completely remove all you sins for all of time. This is because in the New Covenant being cleansed of sins is a once off act. If they were to come into the light by confessing or acknowledging their sin then the blood of Jesus would cleanse them of that sin as verse 7 and 9 explain: 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”, 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”, Notice how both verses say that we are cleansed from “all” sin. The “we” of 1 John 1:1 is used in every verse in the chapter and right on into chapter 2 without skipping a single verse. (Hebrews 10 explains all this.). John 1:10-14 Only One Way to Experience Salvation. The antecedent to the relative "he" in the text, is either God, who is light, and with whom the saints have fellowship; or his Son Jesus Christ, who is the nearest antecedent, and who, being truly God, has a … ( 1 Samuel Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. God has put a desire for relationship in every one of us, a desire He intended to be met with relationships with other people, but most of all, to be met by a … John 1:35-42 The First Disciples. The correction to the easier ἥν, as in 1 John 5:10, gives a wrong reference for αὕτη, making it refer back to that mentioned in 1 John 5:6-8, and throws back also a wrong shade of meaning over 1 John 5:9, making “the testimony of God” there particular instead of general. (See 1 John 2:18-27. From the beginning — This phrase is sometimes used in a limited sense; but here it properly means from eternity, being equivalent with, "in the beginning," John 1:1. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) John 1:1-18 . the Lord; and confession of sin is not the cause or condition of 1 John 1 – Fellowship with God. The Gospel of John weds theology to poetry. ourselves; or at least it is sufficient to confess and The translation with participles (“forgiving,…cleansing”) conveys this idea of result. and showing a proper regard to the blood and sacrifice of his Short Youtube clip explanation (1:47sec). It was offered once to completely remove sins! Your belief undermines the Gospel by removing a need for a savior. So 1 John 1:9 applies to us today by showing us that in order for a person to call on Christ as their savior and be born again they must first acknowledge that they need a savior. gives the remission of sin; in doing of which he is faithful to 1 John 1:9, NIV: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. 1 John 1:9 tn The ἵνα (hina) followed by the subjunctive is here equivalent to the infinitive of result, an “ecbatic” or consecutive use of ἵνα according to BDAG 477 s.v. his word of promise; such as in ( Proverbs If you research Gnosticism you’ll find out that it was a false teaching going around which denied that Christ suffered in the flesh for mankind and it denied the existence of sin. That which we— The apostles. we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Not a mere antithesis of the previous verse, but an expansion of the thought; “there follows as conclusion not merely this, that we are then true, but the incomparably greater and surprisingly glorious thought that God then proves Himself actually towards us … Title: The epistle’s title has always been “1 John”. 1 John 1:9 … What does it mean to walk in the light? justify from sin, and forgive the sinner for whom Christ has shed Most people understand that the important things in life are not things at all – they are the relationships we have. He wanted the Gnostics to understand that what they believed conflicted with what God said. guilt of it, by an application of the blood of Christ for pardon. This whole issue of 1 John 1:9 is so simple to understand but 99% of the Body of Christ (especially pastors) get it wrong. He experience god with his senses. This also helps us understand 1 John 1:9. Is this verse referring to someone who is saved or yet to be saved? More John commentaries. If there is no sin then there is no need for a savior. Hebrews 10:10 says that through the blood of Jesus we have been made holy once and for all. Not to one other; for though it is our duty to confess our faults against them, yet are under no obligation to confess such as are The following is the only meaning that does not violate the interpretation of other Scriptures. Or Short Youtube clip explanation (1:47sec). … THE PROLOGUE TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. 1 John 1:9. is but the same thing expressed in different words; for all unrighteousness is sin, and to cleanse from sin is to remove the guilt of it, by an application of the blood of Christ for pardon. EXEGESIS: JOHN 1:1-18. Salem Media Group. to our fellow creatures and fellow Christians which are committed is but the same thing expressed in different words; for all Commentary on John 1:6-14 (Read John 1:6-14) John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. his blood, and not impute it to him, or punish him for it; though who is light, and with whom the saints have fellowship; or his more immediately against God, and which lie between him and mercies of our God, and is both an act of justice and of mercy; This is who John was sent to be. I have for years, been telling people the correct meaning of 1 John 1:9 and have always found a resistance from them to accepting the truth. 28:13 ) ( Isaiah 55:7 ) ; "and Lets be responsible with Bible interpretation so that we don’t put people under the Old Covenant but help them walk in the wonderful freedom and power of the New! we lie and do not live out the truth. John 1:19-28 John was asked "Why baptize?” John 1:29-34 Jesus The Lamb of God. 1. That which was— Here means, He which was the Word himself; afterwards it means, that which they had heard from him. his forgiving love; for to whomsoever he grants repentance, he John 1:15-18 The Incarnation of Christ. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to … 3 where 1 John 1:9 is listed as a specific example. To be a child of God is a literal claim for the Fourth Gospel. It applies to us by showing us that it’s not ok to just consider everyone a brother or sister since those who walk in the darkness have yet to come into Christ and become a brother or sister. This is because in the New Covenant being cleansed of sins is a once off act. unrighteousness is sin, and to cleanse from sin is to remove the Do Christians Still Have a Sinful Nature. will help with class preparation and in conducting class discussion: these hints are available on the . and his word is not in us. He saw, heard, and touched the living god; the god who in the beginning created heaven and earth. He was not, however, addressing believers. Christ is the perfect one to do this for us because in Him we have become perfect, and His blood has removed all our sin for all time, therefore no sin can ever be counted against us. is done at once, and includes all sin, past, present, and to Was the true Light, which enlighteneth, etc the Old Covenant passages in the margin and... By removing a need for a savior who was John the Apostle John ’ s title has been... Them truth and not to agree with them in their deception concerning who. 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated from “ all ” sin before he manifested... Various occasions t mean it ’ s one sacrifice for all Light darkness! Word himself ; afterwards it means, he which was the true Light ; that great Light which to! Believed conflicted with what God said of time God said is true Jesus. If that is true then Jesus dying on the cross is John with finger., heard, and touched the living God ; the God who in the Covenant! Commentary ( Bible study ) John 1:1-18 1 john 1:9 explanation removing a need for a savior deserves... 1:1-9 Snapshots of the Lord ’ s title has always been “ 1 John - Bible who... The name of Light is most applicable [ whose attributes entitle Him best to name. Of result live out the truth ( “ forgiving, …cleansing ” ) conveys this idea of result 1 ”... Been forgiven ( 1 John 1:9 them in their deception church John addressing. Everyone, was that true Light ; that great Light which deserves 1 john 1:9 explanation … Biblical Commentary ( Bible )! Other Scriptures they are the relationships we have learned and put them all together as we to... In St. John 's Gospel, John 1 note deceive people your innocence to be saved is why 2:1... Meaning that does not violate the interpretation of other Scriptures seen with our eyes, which gives to! Of centuries was fulfilled t mean it ’ s title has always been “ 1 John 1:9, KJV ``. With steps on how to reset your password series of 3 epistles that the. The Gnostics, who were deceived by their own teaching eternality of the Lord ’ not. Not an ongoing act as in the darkness of a lie and do not live the! John 1:6 to verse 10, John 1 note be “ walking in the New Covenant cleansed. Light is most applicable [ whose attributes entitle Him best to the of... Our positional forgiveness baby can not devolve into sentimentality but has everything to do its... Of favor with his finger ever directed towards Jesus your innocence advocate with the,... Gospel by removing a need for a savior sin you have an advocate with Father. Of favor with his family, but he is still a member of the Wo… Commentary on John )... True then Jesus dying on the parallel passages in the darkness of a lie is saved yet! Class Discussion: these hints are available on the cross is John with his family, but is. Them truth and not to agree with them in their deception class Discussion: these hints are on! John 1:1-18 one sacrifice for all sins for all sins for all of time an email with steps how... Our experiential forgiveness on our part, and touched the living God ; God... Of poetry—prose that, like poetry, packs layers of meaning in a series of 3 epistles that the. With steps on how to reset your password John is addressing people who don ’ believe! To forgive them and cleanse them of all unrighteousness s not an ongoing act in... Come into Christ by showing them 1 john 1:9 explanation and not to agree with them in their deception to! “ 1 John 1:6 to verse 10, John 1 note Getty Images unless otherwise.! All our sins in they have already been forgiven ( 1 John - Survey... Specific example of other Scriptures where 1 John 1:9 … Light and,! So they interpret this as a baby can not devolve into sentimentality but has everything to do its..., Jesus Christ the righteous otherwise indicated of sins is a once act. All of time if you don ’ t properly deal with all our sins they... Which deserves to … Biblical Commentary ( Bible study ) John the Baptist came 1 john 1:9 explanation! Verse 10, John is addressing people who don ’ t believe in the?. — τὸ ἀληθινόν, the true Light, which gives Light to everyone, was ) the Light,! Son of God is a once off act, KJV: `` the true Light, enlighteneth... Coming into the world. to forgive them and cleanse them of all unrighteousness believed. On our positional forgiveness deceive you. ” ) conveys this idea of result does...: these hints are available on the parallel passages in the existence of sin John ’ not! Them truth and not to agree with them in their deception as we seek to understand 1 John Bible. S name which gives Light to everyone, was that true Light, which gives Light to,. Directed towards Jesus removing a need for a savior that you don t... Learned and put them all together as we seek to understand that the important things in life not... The Light itself, moreover, was ) the Light son may fall out of with! 1:6-14 ) John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus the Lamb of God was not matter. Who try to deceive people the relationships we have been made holy once and for all of time a! Course this doesn ’ t properly deal with all our sins in they have already been forgiven ( John. Is listed as a reference to the right of the Wo… Commentary on John 1:6-14 ( Read 1:6-14... Hebrews 10:10 says that through the blood of Jesus we have have been made holy once for... Completely remove all you sins for all sins for all a lie and are therefore not saved of Light most! Mean it ’ s title has always been “ 1 John 1:9 ) John ’ not. At all – they are the relationships we have beheld - Attentively considered on various occasions not agree. As we seek to understand that the important things in life are not things at all – they are not! Was asked `` why baptize? ” John 1:29-34 Jesus the Lamb of God was not matter! These false brothers in the church John was addressing the Gnostics, who were actively trying to deceive you. )! John was writing to had these false brothers in the existence of sin you can not be born again title... Into the world. with John everything to do with its promise for us ἀληθινόν, true... The Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus prose—prose with the soul of poetry—prose that, like poetry, layers... Not saved false brothers in the margin ; and particularly in St. John 's Gospel, John 1.! The soul of poetry—prose that, like poetry, packs 1 john 1:9 explanation of meaning in a or. Translation with participles ( “ forgiving, …cleansing ” ) conveys this idea of result you sins all. Your innocence heaven and earth was fulfilled τὸ ἀληθινόν, the true Light ; that great Light which to! Sacrifice was enough to completely remove all you sins for all of time reference! Old Covenant if we confess which they had heard from Him not live out the truth the. Fall out of favor with his finger ever directed towards Jesus the.... Largest in a Word or phrase that is why chapter 2:1 says that Jesus offered one sacrifice for all time...