1 John 3:9

Translations

Modern

Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Traditional

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Literal

Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

Latin

Omnis qui natus est ex Deo, peccatum non facit: quoniam semen ipsius in eo manet, et non potest peccare, quoniam ex Deo natus est.

Original

Greek

English

Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Notes

1 John 3:9–10

To practice righteousness means to live in a right relationship with God. This is different from what the false teachers claimed. They taught that their spiritual life was not affected by what they did in their physical bodies. Living righteously does not mean that we live perfect lives (1:8). It means we confess our sins and stay in a right relationship with God (1:9).

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).

Related verses

1 John 5:18
We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.
1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
John 1:13
…children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
1 John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
1 John 2:29
If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.
Matthew 7:18
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Galatians 5:17
For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
1 John 5:4
…because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
Romans 6:2
Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Acts 4:20
For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Glossary

First Letter of John Renewal, Regeneration Shekinah Sin Spirit of God

Topics

New Creation Perfection: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Regeneration: General Scriptures Concerning Repetitive Sin Righteous: Described Righteousness: Fruits of Seed: Spiritual Life Sin: Saints: Cannot Live In Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Sinlessness: General Scriptures Concerning The New Birth: Produces Hatred of Sin Uncertainty Unrepented Sin Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People

1 John 3:9

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