1 John 3:5

Translations

Modern

But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Traditional

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Literal

And you know that He appeared so that He should take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.

Latin

Et scitis quia ille apparuit ut peccata nostra tolleret: et peccatum in eo non est.

Original

Greek

English

But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Notes

1 John 3:4–10

This section explains what it means to live a pure life (3:3). Being part of God's spiritual family requires living a pure life. A life full of sin shows that someone is not truly God's child. Sin is not suitable for the new nature that comes from spiritual birth.

John encourages Christians to do what is right to show they are united to Christ and his righteousness. Children of God do not make a practice of sinning. However, this is different from the kind of “sinlessness” claimed by the false teachers (see 1:5–10 and corresponding study notes).

Theme notes and profiles

The Limitations of Law

Related verses

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Hebrews 9:28
…so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
Hebrews 9:26
Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
1 John 4:9–14
This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Isaiah 53:4–12
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
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 His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Titus 2:14
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Revelation 1:5
…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
1 Peter 2:22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

Glossary

First Letter of John Sin Sinlessness of Christ

Topics

Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Jesus, the Christ: Holiness of Jesus, the Christ: Mission of Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Salvation is Deliverance From: Sin Sin: Christ Alone Was Without Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away The Human Nature of Christ was Without Sin Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People

1 John 3:5

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