1 John 3:9
Verse
Context
Children of God
8The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.9Anyone 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.10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Whosoever is born of God - Γεγεννημενος, Begotten of God, doth not commit sin: "that is," say some, "as he used to do, he does not sin habitually as he formerly did." This is bringing the influence and privileges of the heavenly birth very low indeed. We have the most indubitable evidence that many of the heathen philosophers had acquired, by mental discipline and cultivation, an entire ascendency over all their wonted vicious habits. Perhaps my reader will recollect the story of the physiognomist, who, coming into the place where Socrates was delivering a lecture, his pupils, wishing to put the principles of the man's science to proof, desired him to examine the face of their master, and say what his moral character was. After a full contemplation of the philosopher's visage, he pronounced him "the most gluttonous, drunken, brutal, and libidinous old man that he had ever met." As the character of Socrates was the reverse of all this, his disciples began to insult the physiognomist. Socrates interfered, and said, "The principles of his science may he very correct, for such I was, but I have conquered it by my philosophy." O ye Christian divines! ye real or pretended Gospel ministers! will ye allow the influence of the grace of Christ a sway not even so extensive as that of the philosophy of a heathen who never heard of the true God?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Whosoever is born of God--literally, "Everyone that is begotten of God." doth not commit sin--His higher nature, as one born or begotten of God, doth not sin. To be begotten of God and to sin, are states mutually excluding one another. In so far as one sins, he makes it doubtful whether he be born of God. his seed--the living word of God, made by the Holy Spirit the seed in us of a new life and the continual mean of sanctification. remaineth--abideth in him (compare Note, see on Jo1 3:6; Joh 5:38). This does not contradict Jo1 1:8-9; the regenerate show the utter incompatibility of sin with regeneration, by cleansing away every sin into which they may be betrayed by the old nature, at once in the blood of Christ. cannot sin, because he is born of God--"because it is of God that he is born" (so the Greek order, as compared with the order of the same words in the beginning of the verse); not "because he was born of God" (the Greek is perfect tense, which is present in meaning, not aorist); it is not said, Because a man was once for all born of God he never afterwards can sin; but, Because he is born of God, the seed abiding now in Him, he cannot sin; so long as it energetically abides, sin can have no place. Compare Gen 39:9, Joseph, "How CAN I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" The principle within me is at utter variance with it. The regenerate life is incompatible with sin, and gives the believer a hatred for sin in every shape, and an unceasing desire to resist it. "The child of God in this conflict receives indeed wounds daily, but never throws away his arms or makes peace with his deadly foe" [LUTHER]. The exceptional sins into which the regenerate are surprised, are owing to the new life principle being for a time suffered to lie dormant, and to the sword of the Spirit not being drawn instantly. Sin is ever active, but no longer reigns. The normal direction of the believer's energies is against sin; the law of God after the inward man is the ruling principle of his true self though the old nature, not yet fully deadened, rebels and sins. Contrast Jo1 5:18 with Joh 8:34; compare Psa 18:22-23; Psa 32:2-3; Psa 119:113, Psa 119:176. The magnetic needle, the nature of which is always to point to the pole, is easily turned aside, but always reseeks the pole.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Whosoever is born of God,.... In a figurative and spiritual sense; who are regenerated, or born from above; who are quickened by the grace of God, and have Christ formed in them; who are made partakers of the divine nature, and new creatures in Christ; which spiritual birth is not owing to men, to the power and will of men, but to the grace of God; and is sometimes ascribed to the Father, who of his own will and abundant mercy begets souls again to a lively hope, and saves them by the washing of regeneration; and sometimes to Christ, who quickens whom he will, whose grace is implanted, and image stamped in it, and by whose resurrection from the dead men are begotten again; and chiefly, to the Spirit of God, who is the author of regeneration, and of the whole of sanctification: and such as are born of him are alive through him, the spirit of life entering into them, and live to God and upon Christ, and breathe after divine and spiritual things, and have their senses to discern them; they see, hear, feel, taste, and savour them; and desire the sincere milk of the word, for their nourishment and growth; and have every grace implanted in them, as faith, hope, and love: and of every such an one it is said, he doth not commit sin; does not make it his trade and business; it is not the constant course of his life; he does not live and walk in sin, or give up himself to it; he is not without the being of it in him, or free from acts of sin in his life and conversation, but he does not so commit it as to be the servant of it, a slave unto it, or to continue in it; and that for this reason: for his seed remaineth in him; not the word of God, or the Gospel, though that is a seed which is sown by the ministers of it, and blessed by God, and by which he regenerates his people; and which having a place in their hearts, becomes the ingrafted word, and there abides, nor can it be rooted out; where it powerfully teaches to avoid sin, is an antidote against it, and a preservative from it: nor the Holy Spirit of God, though he is the author of the new birth, and the principle of all grace; and where he once is, he always abides; and through the power of his grace believers prevail against sin, and mortify the deeds of the body, and live: but rather the grace of the Spirit, the internal principle of grace in the soul, the new nature, or new man formed in the soul, is meant; which seminally contains all grace in it, and which, like seed, springs up and gradually increases, and always abides; and is pure and incorruptible, and neither sins itself, nor encourages sin, but opposes, checks, and prevents it: and he cannot sin; not that it is impossible for such a man to do acts of sin, or that it is possible for him to live without sin; for the words are not to be understood in the sense of those who plead for perfection in this life; for though the saints have perfection in Christ, yet not in themselves; they are not impeccable, they are not free from sin, neither from the being nor actings of it; sin is in them, lives in them, dwells in them, hinders all the good, and does all the mischief it can: or in such sense, as if the sins of believers were not sins; for though they are pardoned and expiated, and they are justified from them, yet they do not cease to be sins; they are equally contrary to the nature, will, and law of God, as well as the sins of others; and are oftentimes attended with more aggravated circumstances, and which God in a fatherly way takes notice of, and chastises for, and on the account of which he hides his face from them: nor does the phrase intend any particular single sin, which cannot be committed; though there are such, as sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, or denying Christ to be the Saviour of sinners, and a sacrifice for sin, and hatred of a Christian brother as such, and sinning the sin unto death, or the unpardonable sin; neither of which can be committed by a regenerate man: nor is the meaning only, though it is a sense that will very well bear, and agrees with the context, that such persons cannot sin as unregenerate men do; that is, live in a continued course of sinning, and with pleasure, and without reluctance, and so as to lie in it, as the whole world does: but rather the meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure: the reason of the impeccability of the regenerate man, as such, is because he is born of God: for that which is born of God in him, does, under the influence of the Spirit, power, and grace of God, preserve him from the temptations of Satan, the pollutions of the world, and the corruptions of his own heart; see Jo1 5:18; which the Vulgate Latin version there renders, "the generation of God", meaning regeneration, or that which is born of God, "preserveth him": this furnishes out a considerable argument for the perseverance of the saints.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:9-10 To live righteously means to live in a right relationship with God. (This is in contrast to the false teachers, who held that life in the spirit could not be contaminated by any behavior in a physical body.) This does not mean that we live perfect lives (1:8), but that we keep ourselves in a good relationship with God (1:9).
1 John 3:9
Children of God
8The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.9Anyone 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.10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Birth and Death in the Christian Life
By Leonard Ravenhill14K1:08:32New BirthISA 66:2JHN 1:29JHN 3:3JHN 3:5JHN 3:71JN 2:291JN 3:9In this sermon, the speaker shares various anecdotes and observations to emphasize the importance of accepting Christ. He mentions a man who hired a harp player and was captivated by the transcendent music. The speaker also references a news story about a newborn animal instinctively knowing how to nurse, contrasting it with the helplessness of human babies. He recalls attending a conference in Dublin where George Handel first performed the Messiah outside of Germany. The speaker warns against relying on material possessions and worldly pleasures, emphasizing the need for a supernatural connection with Christ.
Reckoning of Faith (Reading)
By Watchman Nee9.6K28:31MAT 6:33ROM 6:6ROM 6:111JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing in the intangible facts of the spiritual realm rather than relying solely on the tangible facts of the natural realm. He explains that deliverance from sin does not mean that sin is eradicated completely, but rather that it is rooted out as a principle within us. The preacher uses examples from everyday life, such as painting a landscape or telling a story, to illustrate that complete accuracy is often difficult to achieve. However, he highlights the reliability of arithmetic as a fact that remains consistent regardless of location or time. The sermon concludes by addressing the temptation to doubt the divine facts and emphasizes the need to hold firm to the truth revealed by God's word.
The Challenge of Every Christian - Part 6
By Alan Redpath5.7K59:33ChallengeISA 44:3ROM 8:1GAL 5:22HEB 3:61JN 3:9In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Christians communicating Christ as the ultimate answer to the desperate needs of the world. They discuss the means of communication, which involves the revival of the power of the Spirit of God in and through believers. The motive of communication is rooted in the love of Christ, and the message that needs to be communicated is the sovereignty of the Lord in our lives. The speaker also highlights the hindrance to communication, which is our own selfish desires and ambitions. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the miracle of communication, which is the new birth and the transformation of our lives through obedience to God's truth.
Eyes on Eternity
By Leonard Ravenhill3.0K34:07EternityMAT 6:33JHN 8:11ROM 12:1GAL 2:20PHP 3:20HEB 9:241JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fully surrendering oneself to God. He urges the audience to not just talk about their faith, but to bring their entire being, including their will, heart, and affections, to God. The preacher highlights the need to present oneself as a living sacrifice to God, as stated in Romans 12:1-2. He warns against conforming to the ways of the world and encourages transformation through a deep devotion to Jesus. The sermon also emphasizes the greatness of Jesus, describing him as the heir of all things, the creator of the world, and the one who upholds all things by the word of his power. The preacher laments the loss of immensity, intensity, and eternity in modern preaching and calls for a return to a deep reverence and adoration of God.
Temptation of Christ
By William Fitch1.8K29:20JHN 16:331CO 15:57EPH 6:122TI 3:16JAS 4:41PE 4:171JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for wholehearted obedience to Christ in the midst of tragic and dark times. The church is called to be purified and judgment should begin within the house of God. The sermon highlights the enmity between loving the world and worshiping the God of this world, which leads to bondage and defeat. The preacher also reminds the church that Jesus has overcome the prince of this world, but many Christians struggle because they haven't fully surrendered to God. The sermon encourages the church to remember that behind the allure of the world is the prince of this world, and it is his temptation to turn believers away from God.
Don't Bow (Compilation)
By Compilations1.7K21:05CompilationMAT 18:20MAT 22:14ROM 6:4ROM 6:18HEB 10:261PE 1:161JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of resistance and perseverance in the face of trials and challenges. He urges Christians to be girded with the word of God and led by the spirit of God. The preacher highlights the current state of many Christians as being faithless and worldly, and calls for a return to trusting in the living God. He emphasizes the need for repentance, holiness, and purity, and encourages believers to overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Studies in 1 John-05 1 John 3:10-24
By William MacDonald1.3K45:51MAT 10:241JN 1:81JN 3:41JN 3:91JN 3:171JN 3:24In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the word of God as an authoritative and timeless source of guidance. He prays for the word to be applied to the hearts of the listeners in their present context. The speaker then discusses the significance of how Christians handle their finances, stating that it is a test of their Christian life. He highlights the importance of showing love and mercy to those in need, emphasizing that true love is demonstrated through actions, not just words. The sermon concludes with an announcement about a guest speaker who is involved in ministry among Spanish-speaking people.
The Priority of Regeneration Part 1
By John Murray1.3K48:58RegenerationJHN 3:5JHN 3:18JAS 1:171JN 2:291JN 3:91JN 4:71JN 5:4In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of the preaching of the word of God and its impact on the believer's life. The sermon focuses on the concept of being begotten of God and how it relates to faith, abstinence from sin, love of God, knowledge of God, and doing righteousness. The speaker emphasizes that those who are begotten of God do not continue in sin and eventually come to believe in the position of not sinning. The sermon references several passages from the book of John to support these teachings.
Does Doctrine Matter - Part 7
By Derek Melton1.2K1:07:05DoctrineROM 6:16EPH 4:281TI 4:16TIT 3:3TIT 3:51JN 3:91JN 5:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the Christian experience of being dead in sin and feeling the wrath of God. He criticizes the idea of coming to God for personal gain rather than seeking God for who He is. The preacher highlights the importance of the gospel in convicting individuals of their sinful condition and producing repentance. He then references Romans 6:16 and 1 Timothy 4:16 to emphasize the need to obey the doctrine of righteousness and continue in it for salvation.
The Branch Cannot Bear Fruit of Itself
By Keith Daniel1.2K1:39:43AbidingMAT 6:331TI 6:101JN 3:9In this sermon transcript, the speaker describes a fist fight that breaks out over an imaginary car being stolen. The mother is embarrassed and unsure how to control the situation. She eventually suggests giving the car back to the owner to prevent further fighting. The speaker then transitions to discussing the importance of attending church and the consequences of not doing so. He also mentions the lavish meals and accommodations provided during a missionary trip. The sermon concludes with a discussion on covetousness and the speaker's wife's habit of leaving during his preaching.
Our Father
By Erlo Stegen1.1K1:15:29PrayerISA 45:22MAT 11:28MAT 18:15MAT 19:12MAT 26:75ACT 4:121JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the challenges and responsibilities of being a wife and mother. He describes the exhaustion and difficulties of caring for children, especially when they are sick or crying throughout the night. The preacher then shares a personal story of attending a church service where the minister was absent, and a young man with poor English skills delivered the message. Despite his initial doubts, the preacher is deeply moved by the man's message of salvation through simply looking to Jesus. He compares this experience to birds feasting on worms behind a plow, rejoicing in the newfound knowledge of salvation.
How to Be Born Again
By Ernest O'Neill1.1K39:37MAT 6:33JHN 3:3ROM 6:232CO 5:172CO 5:21GAL 2:201JN 3:9In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a lonely evening spent at home. Despite trying to occupy themselves with coffee, flowers, and television, they feel a deep sense of emptiness and longing for companionship. The speaker then discusses the human desire for security, happiness, and significance, and how these desires can lead to selfishness and compromise with sin. They emphasize the importance of aligning our hearts with God's will and living according to His original plan for our lives, which brings true contentment and the ability to pour out love and kindness to others.
Sinfulness of Sin (Compilation)
By Compilations1.0K05:03CompilationGEN 19:24MAT 5:28JHN 14:23ROM 6:23EPH 2:11JN 2:11JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that Jesus did not come to make bad men good, but to make dead men live. He highlights that Christianity is unique because it allows a person's God to come and live inside of them. The preacher also discusses the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. He emphasizes that sin is not normal in the Christian life and that when a Christian slips into sin, they should flee to Christ's mercy with a broken heart. The sermon references the book of John and emphasizes the importance of living a life free from sin.
Seeking the Lord
By Rolfe Barnard87346:17PSA 63:1JER 29:13ACT 17:22ROM 10:171CO 8:32TI 2:191JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is the creator and ruler of the world. He does not need worship from human hands, as He is the source of all life and everything we have. The preacher also highlights that God has made all nations from one blood and has appointed times for everything. The sermon encourages listeners to seek the Lord and have a personal encounter with Him, leading to repentance and a Christ-centered life. The preacher also mentions a story from the Bible where a woman with a health issue was healed by touching Jesus, emphasizing the power and presence of God.
Holiness Movement & Phoebe Palmer, Part Ii
By Michael Haykin69449:57ROM 12:1GAL 5:171JN 3:9In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Galatians 5:17, which states that the flesh and the spirit are in constant conflict with each other. The preacher acknowledges the difficulty in understanding and interpreting this passage, attributing it to the linguistic and cultural differences between the original Greek text and modern translations. The sermon also touches on the concept of power, particularly in relation to living for Christ and being a witness for Him. The preacher briefly mentions the historical context of America in the 19th century, highlighting the concern among evangelicals regarding the issue of power. Additionally, the sermon briefly mentions the personal experience of Phoebe Palmer, who faced the tragic death of her child but found solace and strength through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Brings a Clean Heart
By Ernest O'Neill67033:17JER 31:33MAT 21:12ROM 12:21CO 13:4GAL 5:22EPH 4:261JN 3:9In this sermon, the speaker addresses the struggle many people face in showing their true selves at work and in their personal lives. They emphasize the need for authenticity and the desire to live a victorious Christian life. The speaker reminds the audience that they have been crucified with Christ and have a new, pure, and perfect identity in Him. The sermon concludes with a call to consecration, urging listeners to be willing to do whatever the Holy Spirit asks of them, even if it means facing rejection or hardship. The overall message is that living according to God's will is the purpose of life and brings fulfillment.
On Sin in Believers
By John Wesley0Spiritual WarfareSin in BelieversROM 8:11CO 3:11CO 6:192CO 5:172CO 7:1GAL 5:17EPH 6:11HEB 12:221JN 3:9REV 2:4John Wesley addresses the complex relationship between sin and believers, emphasizing that while those in Christ are new creations, sin still remains in their nature. He argues that even justified believers must contend with an evil nature, as evidenced by Scripture and the experiences of early Christians. Wesley warns against the dangerous belief that true believers are entirely free from sin, asserting that this notion is both new and contrary to biblical teaching. He encourages believers to recognize the ongoing struggle against sin and to actively resist it, maintaining their faith and reliance on God's grace. Ultimately, Wesley calls for vigilance and perseverance in the Christian walk, acknowledging the dual nature of believers who are both justified and still wrestling with sin.
1 John 3:9
By John Gill0Perseverance of the SaintsRegenerationJHN 1:12JHN 3:3ROM 6:14GAL 5:17EPH 2:10TIT 3:51PE 1:232PE 1:41JN 3:91JN 5:18John Gill expounds on 1 John 3:9, emphasizing that those born of God are spiritually regenerated and partake in divine nature, which empowers them to live righteously. He clarifies that while believers may still sin, they do not commit sin as a habitual practice, as the new nature within them opposes sin. This new birth is attributed to the grace of God, and the internal seed of grace ensures that true believers cannot live in sin as unregenerate individuals do. Gill highlights the importance of understanding the distinction between the new man and the old nature, affirming that the regenerate are preserved from sin through the influence of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, he reassures that the work of God in believers guarantees their perseverance in faith.
The Two Baptisms
By Lewis Williams0MAT 3:11ACT 1:8ACT 2:1ACT 2:38ACT 10:44ROM 8:72CO 5:17JAS 4:171JN 3:9Lewis Williams preaches about the importance of repentance and the two baptisms mentioned by John the Baptist: one with water unto repentance and the other with the Holy Ghost and fire. He emphasizes the need for a solid foundation in our spiritual experiences, starting with genuine repentance that includes a knowledge of sin, godly sorrow, confession, and restitution. Williams highlights the struggle against the inborn sinful nature inherited from the Fall, the need for complete abandonment of sin, and the turning to Jesus for complete transformation and sanctification.
Unrighteous Shall Not Inherit
By David Servant0MAT 25:341CO 6:92CO 13:5GAL 5:19EPH 2:8HEB 12:14JAS 2:141JN 3:71JN 3:9REV 21:8David Servant preaches on the importance of self-examination to determine if Christ truly lives within us, emphasizing that a Christian is defined by the spiritual indwelling of Christ. He warns against self-deception, highlighting the need for transformation and the correlation between belief and behavior. Paul's teachings stress that true salvation results in a changed life and increasing holiness, not just a verbal confession of faith. The sermon challenges believers to examine their lives, as genuine faith is evidenced by works and a growing holiness, reflecting the transformative power of God's grace.
Holiness and Humanity
By Daniel Steele0MAT 7:21ROM 5:51CO 9:271CO 10:121JN 3:9Daniel Steele preaches about the possibility of living without sin, addressing the concerns raised by high Calvinists against Arminius' teachings. He emphasizes the importance of vigilance and self-denial even for those who have experienced entire sanctification, highlighting the need to watch against temptations and sinful tendencies. Steele explains the difference between sins arising from natural appetencies and those rooted in Adamic depravity, stressing the necessity of regulating emotions and strengthening the will through divine love and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
The Relation of the New Birth, to Holiness and Heaven
By Charles William Butler0JHN 3:32CO 5:17EPH 1:11HEB 12:141JN 3:9Charles William Butler preaches on the necessity of being born again to enter the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the essential spiritual transformation required for individuals to see and know the realities of the Kingdom. The new birth leads to an enriched and enlarged life, bringing about a vital change in our relationship with God and the world. This experience of being born again is unmistakable and results in believers becoming children of God, heirs of His promises, and joint heirs with Christ.
Christian Perfection
By John Wesley0Christian PerfectionHolinessEZK 36:25MAT 5:48ROM 6:12CO 10:4GAL 2:20PHP 3:121PE 1:162PE 3:181JN 3:91JN 5:18John Wesley preaches on 'Christian Perfection,' emphasizing that while Christians are not perfect in knowledge, free from mistakes, or exempt from temptation, they can attain a state of holiness that reflects the character of Christ. He clarifies that perfection does not mean the absence of sin but rather a transformative relationship with God that leads to a life free from willful sin and evil thoughts. Wesley encourages believers to strive for this perfection, which is a continual process of growth in grace and knowledge of God, and asserts that true Christians can live in a way that aligns with God's will, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Seed
By H.J. Vine0GEN 3:15ISA 7:14MAT 1:21JHN 1:41ACT 13:23ROM 1:31CO 15:222TI 2:81JN 3:9H.J. Vine preaches about the significance of Jesus Christ being the Seed of David raised from the dead, fulfilling the promises of royal blessing and glory in the Old Testament. Jesus is designated as God, Jehovah, and the Messiah, securing divine kingship through His sacrifice, blood-shedding, and resurrection. The gospel of God's grace is proclaimed in His name, offering eternal forgiveness, justification, and new life to those who believe in Him. Through Christ, the Seed of David, who died for sinners and was raised for our justification, the glad tidings of salvation are heralded, based on the truth of Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Letter From Luke Howard
By Job Scott0ISA 52:7ISA 52:10MAT 7:16JHN 1:291CO 14:202CO 3:61PE 1:181JN 3:91JN 5:4Luke Howard addresses a letter to a friend in America, critiquing a posthumous treatise by Job Scott on 'Salvation by Christ.' Howard expresses concerns about Scott's unconventional views on regeneration, suggesting that Scott's doctrines may lack proper grounding in Scripture and may lead to confusion and division within the religious community. Howard highlights the importance of humility, charity, and a deep understanding of the teachings of Christ to avoid falling into doctrinal errors and self-righteousness. He urges for a sincere and spiritually minded approach to faith, emphasizing the need for practical application of Christian principles rather than mere intellectual assent to doctrines.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Whosoever is born of God - Γεγεννημενος, Begotten of God, doth not commit sin: "that is," say some, "as he used to do, he does not sin habitually as he formerly did." This is bringing the influence and privileges of the heavenly birth very low indeed. We have the most indubitable evidence that many of the heathen philosophers had acquired, by mental discipline and cultivation, an entire ascendency over all their wonted vicious habits. Perhaps my reader will recollect the story of the physiognomist, who, coming into the place where Socrates was delivering a lecture, his pupils, wishing to put the principles of the man's science to proof, desired him to examine the face of their master, and say what his moral character was. After a full contemplation of the philosopher's visage, he pronounced him "the most gluttonous, drunken, brutal, and libidinous old man that he had ever met." As the character of Socrates was the reverse of all this, his disciples began to insult the physiognomist. Socrates interfered, and said, "The principles of his science may he very correct, for such I was, but I have conquered it by my philosophy." O ye Christian divines! ye real or pretended Gospel ministers! will ye allow the influence of the grace of Christ a sway not even so extensive as that of the philosophy of a heathen who never heard of the true God?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Whosoever is born of God--literally, "Everyone that is begotten of God." doth not commit sin--His higher nature, as one born or begotten of God, doth not sin. To be begotten of God and to sin, are states mutually excluding one another. In so far as one sins, he makes it doubtful whether he be born of God. his seed--the living word of God, made by the Holy Spirit the seed in us of a new life and the continual mean of sanctification. remaineth--abideth in him (compare Note, see on Jo1 3:6; Joh 5:38). This does not contradict Jo1 1:8-9; the regenerate show the utter incompatibility of sin with regeneration, by cleansing away every sin into which they may be betrayed by the old nature, at once in the blood of Christ. cannot sin, because he is born of God--"because it is of God that he is born" (so the Greek order, as compared with the order of the same words in the beginning of the verse); not "because he was born of God" (the Greek is perfect tense, which is present in meaning, not aorist); it is not said, Because a man was once for all born of God he never afterwards can sin; but, Because he is born of God, the seed abiding now in Him, he cannot sin; so long as it energetically abides, sin can have no place. Compare Gen 39:9, Joseph, "How CAN I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" The principle within me is at utter variance with it. The regenerate life is incompatible with sin, and gives the believer a hatred for sin in every shape, and an unceasing desire to resist it. "The child of God in this conflict receives indeed wounds daily, but never throws away his arms or makes peace with his deadly foe" [LUTHER]. The exceptional sins into which the regenerate are surprised, are owing to the new life principle being for a time suffered to lie dormant, and to the sword of the Spirit not being drawn instantly. Sin is ever active, but no longer reigns. The normal direction of the believer's energies is against sin; the law of God after the inward man is the ruling principle of his true self though the old nature, not yet fully deadened, rebels and sins. Contrast Jo1 5:18 with Joh 8:34; compare Psa 18:22-23; Psa 32:2-3; Psa 119:113, Psa 119:176. The magnetic needle, the nature of which is always to point to the pole, is easily turned aside, but always reseeks the pole.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Whosoever is born of God,.... In a figurative and spiritual sense; who are regenerated, or born from above; who are quickened by the grace of God, and have Christ formed in them; who are made partakers of the divine nature, and new creatures in Christ; which spiritual birth is not owing to men, to the power and will of men, but to the grace of God; and is sometimes ascribed to the Father, who of his own will and abundant mercy begets souls again to a lively hope, and saves them by the washing of regeneration; and sometimes to Christ, who quickens whom he will, whose grace is implanted, and image stamped in it, and by whose resurrection from the dead men are begotten again; and chiefly, to the Spirit of God, who is the author of regeneration, and of the whole of sanctification: and such as are born of him are alive through him, the spirit of life entering into them, and live to God and upon Christ, and breathe after divine and spiritual things, and have their senses to discern them; they see, hear, feel, taste, and savour them; and desire the sincere milk of the word, for their nourishment and growth; and have every grace implanted in them, as faith, hope, and love: and of every such an one it is said, he doth not commit sin; does not make it his trade and business; it is not the constant course of his life; he does not live and walk in sin, or give up himself to it; he is not without the being of it in him, or free from acts of sin in his life and conversation, but he does not so commit it as to be the servant of it, a slave unto it, or to continue in it; and that for this reason: for his seed remaineth in him; not the word of God, or the Gospel, though that is a seed which is sown by the ministers of it, and blessed by God, and by which he regenerates his people; and which having a place in their hearts, becomes the ingrafted word, and there abides, nor can it be rooted out; where it powerfully teaches to avoid sin, is an antidote against it, and a preservative from it: nor the Holy Spirit of God, though he is the author of the new birth, and the principle of all grace; and where he once is, he always abides; and through the power of his grace believers prevail against sin, and mortify the deeds of the body, and live: but rather the grace of the Spirit, the internal principle of grace in the soul, the new nature, or new man formed in the soul, is meant; which seminally contains all grace in it, and which, like seed, springs up and gradually increases, and always abides; and is pure and incorruptible, and neither sins itself, nor encourages sin, but opposes, checks, and prevents it: and he cannot sin; not that it is impossible for such a man to do acts of sin, or that it is possible for him to live without sin; for the words are not to be understood in the sense of those who plead for perfection in this life; for though the saints have perfection in Christ, yet not in themselves; they are not impeccable, they are not free from sin, neither from the being nor actings of it; sin is in them, lives in them, dwells in them, hinders all the good, and does all the mischief it can: or in such sense, as if the sins of believers were not sins; for though they are pardoned and expiated, and they are justified from them, yet they do not cease to be sins; they are equally contrary to the nature, will, and law of God, as well as the sins of others; and are oftentimes attended with more aggravated circumstances, and which God in a fatherly way takes notice of, and chastises for, and on the account of which he hides his face from them: nor does the phrase intend any particular single sin, which cannot be committed; though there are such, as sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, or denying Christ to be the Saviour of sinners, and a sacrifice for sin, and hatred of a Christian brother as such, and sinning the sin unto death, or the unpardonable sin; neither of which can be committed by a regenerate man: nor is the meaning only, though it is a sense that will very well bear, and agrees with the context, that such persons cannot sin as unregenerate men do; that is, live in a continued course of sinning, and with pleasure, and without reluctance, and so as to lie in it, as the whole world does: but rather the meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure: the reason of the impeccability of the regenerate man, as such, is because he is born of God: for that which is born of God in him, does, under the influence of the Spirit, power, and grace of God, preserve him from the temptations of Satan, the pollutions of the world, and the corruptions of his own heart; see Jo1 5:18; which the Vulgate Latin version there renders, "the generation of God", meaning regeneration, or that which is born of God, "preserveth him": this furnishes out a considerable argument for the perseverance of the saints.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:9-10 To live righteously means to live in a right relationship with God. (This is in contrast to the false teachers, who held that life in the spirit could not be contaminated by any behavior in a physical body.) This does not mean that we live perfect lives (1:8), but that we keep ourselves in a good relationship with God (1:9).