1 John 1:10 - Exposition

Once more we have no mere repetition, but a fresh thought. "We have not sin" ( 1 John 1:8 ) refers to our natural condition; "we have not sinned" ( 1 John 1:10 ) refers to definite acts. Note the climax: we lie ( 1 John 1:6 ); we lead ourselves utterly astray ( 1 John 1:8 ): we make God a liar ( 1 John 1:10 ). The whole of God's dealing with man since the Fall, especially in the Incarnation, is based on the fact of man's innate sinfulness. To deny this fact, therefore, is to charge the God of light and truth with acting and maintaining a vast and persistent lie. It is difficult to see how this strong language can be reconciled with the Roman dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary: why does not her "son" ( John 19:26 , John 19:27 ) except her from its sweep? His word is not in us; i.e., we are cut off from all communication with him ( John 5:38 ; John 8:31 ). "His Word" is the sum total of the Divine revelation. That which in itself is "the truth "( 1 John 1:8 ), when communicated to us is "his Word." How thoroughly the Church of England enters into the spirit of these verses (8-10) is shown by the fact that it appoints confession and absolution as part of public service every morning and evening throughout the year, as well as of every celebration of the Eucharist. As Bede points out, the Lord's Prayer itself, with the petition, "Forgive us our trespasses," is a conclusive answer to Pelagian opponents of St. John's doctrine.