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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: Could any body explain the meaning of 1st John 3:9. Thanks in advance. |
Bible Answer: Hi Dima. The problem in understanding this verse is that in a number of popular modern Bibles, additional words have been inserted which alter the meaning of the original Greek. For example I give below the , "New International Version". 1Jo 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. A far better translation is found in the "New King James Version", which reads 1Jo 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. The reason why modern translators like those of the NIV, do this is in an attempt to reconcile the apparent contradiction between this verse, and the other verses in the same letter at Ch 1:8 through Ch2:2. Te facts of the matter are that John is here dealing with two different parts of the same person. The Christians "old nature", (which can do nothing but sin) in one part of his letter, and the Christians "new nature", (which cannot sin) in the other part of his letter. This is perhaps better explained by Paul in Romans 7:14-25. Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. Rom 7:15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Rom 7:16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. Rom 7:17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. Rom 7:19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Rom 7:25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Part of this last veres 25, might be amplified as, "So then,with the mind (my new nature) I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh (my old nature) the law of sin. I do hope that this will be of help to you. May the Lord bless you, and keep you safe. Edwin. (ebrain) |