1 John 1:9-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 John 1:8-10

Here, I. The apostle, having supposed that even those of this heavenly communion have yet their sin, proceeds here to justify that supposition, and this he does by showing the dreadful consequences of denying it, and that in two particulars:?1. If we say, We have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, 1 John 1:8. We must beware of deceiving ourselves in denying or excusing our sins. The more we see them the more we shall esteem and value the remedy. If we deny them, the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 John 1:8-10

1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, we can rely on him in his righteousness to forgive us our sins and to make us clean from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us. In this passage John describes and condemns two further mistaken ways of thought. (i) There is the man who says that he has no sin. That may mean either of two things. It may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins ,.... Not to one other; for though it is our duty to confess our faults to our fellow creatures and fellow Christians which are committed against them, yet are under no obligation to confess such as are more immediately against God, and which lie between him and ourselves; or at least it is sufficient to confess and acknowledge in general what sinful creatures we are, without entering into particulars; for confession of sin is to be made to God, against whom it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned ,.... Have never sinned, in time past as well as now; deny original sin, and that men are born in sin, but affirm they come into the world pure and holy; and assert that concupiscence is not sin; and so not regarding internal lusts and desires as sinful, only what is external, fancy they have so lived as to have been without sin: but if any of us give out such an assertion, we make him a liar : that is, God, who in his word declares that the wicked are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins - If, from a deep sense of our guilt, impurity, and helplessness, we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our iniquity, his holiness, and our own utter helplessness, and implore mercy for his sake who has died for us; he is faithful, because to such he has promised mercy, Psalm 32:5 ; Proverbs 28:13 ; and just, for Christ has died for us, and thus made an atonement to the Divine justice; so that God can now be just, and yet the justifier of him who believeth... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 1:9

Verse 9 9If we confess He again promises to the faithful that God will be propitious to them, provided they acknowledge themselves to be sinners. It is of great moment to be fully persuaded, that when we have sinned, there is a reconciliation with God ready and prepared for us: we shall otherwise carry always a hell within us. Few, indeed, consider how miserable and wretched is a doubting conscience; but the truth is, that hell reigns where there is no peace with God. The more, then, it becomes... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 1:10

Verse 10 10We make him a liar He goes still further, that they who claim purity for themselves blaspheme God. For we see that he everywhere represents the whole race of man as guilty of sin. Whosoever then tries to escape this charge carries on war with God, and accuses him of falsehood, as though he condemned the undeserving. To confirm this he adds, and his word is not in us; as though he had said, that we reject this great truth, that all are under guilt. We hence learn, that we then only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 1:5-10

Message from Christ brought to bear on fellowship with God. I. NATURE OF GOD , "And this is the message which we have heard from him, and announce unto you, that God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all." Christ's message is supported by the conviction that he has a message to deliver. The apostolic message, which has still to be delivered, was received directly from the lips of Christ. It has particular reference to the nature of God, viz. his being Light, with which we are to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 1:8-10

Man's attitude towards his own sins. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves," etc. It is implied that man is a sinner, that even Christian men "have sin." The renewed nature is not, in our present condition, an altogether sinless nature. The saintly apostle includes himself in the "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves," etc. But this is not the same moral condition as "walking in the darkness" ( 1 John 1:6 ). In that condition the man "is in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 1:9

As in 1 John 1:7 , we have the opposite hypothesis stated, and the thought advanced a stage. Not the exact opposite, "if we confess that we have sin;" but "if we confess our sins." It is easy to say, "I am a sinner;" but if confession is to have value it must state the definite acts of sin. The context shows that confession at the bar of the conscience and of God is meant. Circumstances must decide whether confession to man is required also, and this St. John neither forbids nor enjoins.... read more

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