4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 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. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:4-10 KJV)
Sin and the Child of God
The apostle, having shown that believers are obligated to purity because of their hope of heaven and communion with Christ in glory, now provides several arguments against sin and participation in the unfruitful works of darkness.
He begins with the nature of sin and its inherent evil: “Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Sin is a rejection of God’s law, which reflects his nature, governs humanity for its good, and leads people to peace and to God himself. Persisting in sin is ultimately a rejection of God’s authority.
Next, he points to the mission of Jesus: “You know that he was revealed so that he might take away sins, and there is no sin in him” (1 John 3:5). Christ appeared in human nature to uphold the law through obedience and suffering, to remove our guilt through his sacrifice, and to break sin’s power in us by implanting a new nature. His example and sinless life are also a call to holiness. If he came to take away sin, those who hope in him must turn from it.
He then highlights the contradiction between sin and union with Christ: “Everyone who remains in him does not sin” (1 John 3:6). To abide in Christ means not to continue in habitual sin. Genuine union with him transforms the heart, breaks sin’s power, and produces a life of obedience. Those who do continue in sin show they have neither seen him nor known him in any real, saving way. Practical holiness is evidence of spiritual union with Christ.
He warns against deception: “Little children, let no one deceive you. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7). Some may claim that knowledge or outward profession of faith excuses disobedience, but true righteousness is shown by living it. As in other Scriptures, righteousness here refers to religion in practice (see Matthew 5:10; 1 Peter 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:16). Practicing righteousness means practicing true religion, marked by sincerity and a clear conscience before God. Such a person shares in Christ’s righteousness—both in character and in his justified status.
The apostle then contrasts the righteous with sinners, linking sin with the devil: “The one who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s works” (1 John 3:8). Those who live in sin show they belong to the devil’s camp. The devil introduced sin and has promoted it since the beginning. But Jesus came to destroy his works—to undo the damage of sin and defeat the devil’s power. If Christ came to destroy sin, we must not live in it.
He continues by showing the relationship between new birth and turning from sin: “Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because his seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). To be born of God is to be inwardly renewed by the Holy Spirit. This new life does not continue in sin, because God’s word and Spirit remain in that person. Regeneration is not just learning new habits—it is a change of nature. Because of that change, the believer cannot live in sin the way they once did or as others do. While believers still sin (1 John 1:9), they cannot do so in the same way, with the same freedom or consistency. Their new nature resists sin, convicts them when they fall, and moves them to repentance.
There are several reasons for this. First, they now see the evil of sin. Second, they have a heart that hates it. Third, their new nature limits the power and consent given to sin, so that even when they stumble, it is not with full approval. As Paul said, “It is no longer I who do it, but the sin living in me” (Romans 7:17). Fourth, they are led to repent when they do sin. The regenerate person is, in a sense, restrained from sin. Just as we say a person of integrity “can’t lie” or “can’t steal,” not because it’s impossible but because it violates who they are, so the child of God cannot go on sinning without great conflict. Joseph said, “How could I do this immense evil, and how could I sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Those who continue in sin show they are not born of God.
Finally, the apostle distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil: “This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious: Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10). The world is divided between the seed of God and the seed of the serpent. Two marks reveal which we belong to.
First, a lack of true religion—those who do not do what is right are not of God. Righteousness is giving God what he is due, and those who live without regard for this prove they are not his.
Second, a lack of love for fellow believers. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters in Christ—who despise or oppose them—demonstrate that they still carry the serpent’s nature. True Christians are to be loved for God’s and Christ’s sake, and failure to do so is a sign that one does not belong to God.
In all these ways, the apostle shows that righteousness, love, and a new nature are inseparably tied to being born of God—and that sin, hatred, and rebellion belong to the devil. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil; those who follow him must not walk in them.