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NASB | 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God's seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again--who is reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him. |
Bible Question:
I have been in the full time ministry for 29 years and given the last 15 years of my life to intense study of the Word of God. Nevertheless, I still am having difficulty understanding 1 John 3:9 and similar verses. I have all of John MacArthur's , J.Vernon McGee's, John Calvin's, John Gill's, Barnes Notes, etc....... Here is my question: Example given: I know a preacher who has pastored a church for over 40 years and has a good testimony. Has always been faithful to his wife and in almost every way been a good example of a minister. However in one area he has always failed. Exessive overeating and neglect of his Temple of God. Now, in view of 1 John 3:9 , has he NOT been continuing in sin for 40 years? By the way, he has suffered tremendous health problems for many years and could die at any time because of these. Who makes the rules as to WHAT sins one has to continue in to be "continuing in sin?" |
Bible Answer: Baptistbred I too have read some of the commentaries by some of the same men you listed, and their comments on 1 John. Here are a few comments from Spiros Zodhiates found on pages 183 - 185 of his Exegetical Commentary on The Epistles of John Whoever has been born of God does not practice sin, for His seed abides in him and he cannot be habitually sinning, because he has been born of God. "the believer may fall into sin. 1 John 2:1 states, and if one were to fall into sin (hamarte). The verb is subjunctive aorist which means the falling into an occasional sin for which there is confession (1 John 1:9) and forgiveness. A person who sins habitually without a sense of conviction and repentance cannot claim to have the Holy Spirit within him, and he who has him cannot sin habitually. The two states are mutually exclusive. The reason for the inability to habitually sin is that he has been born (gegennetai, the perfect indicative passive of genao) of God." Concerning your closing statement in which you stated: "Who makes the rules as to WHAT sins one has to continue in to be "continuing in sin?" I can only say that sin is sin. Any sin habitually committed without remorse or a sense of conviction and confession, on the part of the individual, is not walking in fellowship, and is not allowing the blood of Jesus to cleanse him. (see 1 John 1:7) which states; "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." It is only by continuiosly walking in the light that we have fellowship with Christ. The person who continues a life-style of habitual willful sin, is out of fellowship. Last year I led a small cell group in a Study of the First Epistle of John, and these are just a few thoughts concerning your question that have entered my mind. Hope this helps somewhat Grace unto you New Creature |