Keraia
1 John 3

1 John 3:6

Children of God · 1 John 3:1–10
Read 1 John 3

Translations

Modern
No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.
Traditional
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Literal
Everyone who is remaining in Him does not sin; everyone who is sinning has not seen Him, nor has he known Him.
Latin
Omnis qui in eo manet, non peccat: et omnis qui peccat, non vidit eum, nec cognovit eum.

Original

Greek
English
No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.

Notes

1 John 3:6

  • remains in Him: The Greek word menō means “to remain” or “to stay.” It describes “abiding” or “remaining” in Christ (John 15:1–8) instead of departing into false teaching. When we live in ongoing and dependent fellowship with Christ, and when we remain faithful to the apostles’ teaching, we will not continue in sin.

  • continues to sin: This verb describes sin as an ongoing or repeated action. John was not saying that a single act of sin means a person does not know God. Instead, if a person continues to sin without turning away from that sin, that pattern shows a lack of relationship with God.

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

Glossary

First Letter of John Shekinah Sin

Topics

Being Perfect Fellowship with Christ Ignorance of God: Evidenced by Living in Sin Perfection: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Righteous: Described Righteous: Unity of, with Christ Righteousness: Fruits of Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Sinlessness: General Scriptures Concerning Sinning Union with Christ: Beneficial Results of Freedom from Dominion of Sin Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People