1 John 3:5

KJV

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} ye know {G1492} that {G3754} he {G1565} was manifested {G5319} to {G2443} take away {G142} our {G2257} sins {G266}; and {G2532} in {G1722} him {G846} is {G2076} no {G3756} sin {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in him.

Berean Standard Bible

But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

American Standard Version

And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 3:5 articulates a foundational truth regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ, declaring His manifestation was specifically purposed to eradicate human sin and affirming His absolute moral purity. This verse serves as a theological cornerstone, establishing the efficacy of Christ's atoning work and providing the basis for the believer's call to righteous living in light of His sinless nature and redemptive mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within John's broader theological argument in [1 John 3](/1_john/3 "1 John 3 - Children of God and Children of the Devil"), which sharply contrasts the "children of God" with the "children of the devil." Immediately preceding, [1 John 3:4](/1_john/3-4 "1 John 3:4 - Sin is Lawlessness") defines sin as "lawlessness," setting up the urgent need for a solution to humanity's rebellion against God's righteous standard. Verse 5 then introduces Christ as that divine solution, emphasizing His purpose in dealing with sin. The phrase "And ye know" suggests this was a well-established and accepted truth among the early Christian community, highlighting its centrality. This declaration of Christ's sin-removing work and His own sinless nature provides the theological bedrock for the subsequent exhortation in [1 John 3:6](/1_john/3-6 "1 John 3:6 - Abiding in Christ and Not Sinning"), where John asserts that "whosoever abideth in him sinneth not," linking Christ's work directly to the believer's ethical conduct.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's first epistle was likely written to combat emerging Gnostic or proto-Gnostic heresies that threatened the early church. These false teachings often denied the true humanity of Christ (Docetism) or separated Christ from Jesus, leading to a devaluation of His physical manifestation and, consequently, His atoning work. By stating "he was manifested," John affirms the real, historical incarnation of Jesus, countering any spiritualizing tendencies that would undermine His tangible presence and mission. Furthermore, some Gnostic groups promoted antinomianism, arguing that since salvation was purely spiritual, physical actions (including sin) were irrelevant. John's emphasis on Christ's sinless nature and His purpose to "take away our sins" directly challenges such views, underscoring the moral implications of genuine faith and the necessity of a transformed life for those who claim to know Christ.
* **Key Themes:** [1 John 3:5](/1_john/3-5 "1 John 3:5 - Purpose of Christ's Manifestation") profoundly contributes to several major themes throughout the epistle and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **The Purpose of Christ's Incarnation**, clearly stating that Jesus Christ "was manifested to take away our sins." His coming was not merely to teach or to set an example, but fundamentally to provide the means for humanity's reconciliation with God through atonement. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Atonement and Redemption**. The phrase "to take away our sins" speaks directly to the work of redemption and forgiveness, implying the comprehensive removal of sin's guilt, penalty, and ultimately its power in the lives of those who believe. This is the very core of the Gospel message, echoing the prophetic imagery of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Lastly, the declaration "and in him is no sin" establishes the critical theme of **Christ's Sinlessness**. For Christ to be an effective, unblemished sacrifice for the sins of humanity, He Himself had to be utterly without sin, a truth consistently affirmed in Scripture, as seen in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sinlessness and Temptation"). This perfect, unblemished nature is essential to His role as the spotless Lamb of God, as foreshadowed in the Old Testament sacrificial system (e.g., [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for a Blameless Offering")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **manifested (Greek, _phaneróō'_):** From G5319, meaning "to render apparent (literally or figuratively); to appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self)." In the context of 1 John 3:5, it emphasizes the concrete, visible, and historical reality of Jesus' incarnation. God was not merely a spiritual concept but became flesh, appearing in human history, making His divine nature and redemptive purpose evident to humanity. This counters any Gnostic claims that denied Christ's physical presence.
* **take away (Greek, _aírō'_):** From G142, a primary root meaning "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare נָשָׂA) to expiate sin." In this verse, "take away" carries the profound theological weight of expiation and removal. It signifies not merely a covering of sins, but their complete removal, cancellation, and bearing away, akin to a burden being lifted or a debt being paid in full. This aligns with the imagery of the scapegoat in the Old Testament (Leviticus 16) and the Lamb of God in the New Testament.
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, meaning "a sin (properly abstract); offence, sin(-ful)." This term denotes a missing of the mark, a deviation from God's righteous standard, an act of rebellion or transgression against divine law. In this verse, it refers to the collective reality of human transgression and its consequences, which Christ came to address. The repetition of "sin" (our sins, no sin) highlights both the problem Christ came to solve and His perfect qualification to solve it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye know that he was manifested":** This opening clause presumes a shared understanding among John's readers, indicating that the incarnation of Christ and its purpose were fundamental tenets of their faith. "He was manifested" refers to Jesus Christ's physical appearance on earth, emphasizing the reality of His human existence and divine self-disclosure. It underscores that God did not merely send a message or an idea, but personally intervened in human history through His Son.
* **"to take away our sins":** This phrase declares the primary, redemptive purpose of Christ's manifestation. The verb "take away" (aírō) signifies a complete removal, a bearing away of the burden and guilt of sin. It points directly to Christ's atoning work on the cross, where He bore the penalty for humanity's transgressions, thereby expiating sin and offering reconciliation with God. This is the essence of the Gospel: Christ's mission was to deal decisively with the problem of human sin.
* **"and in him is no sin":** This crucial declaration affirms the absolute moral purity and impeccability of Jesus Christ. For Christ to be the perfect sacrifice capable of taking away the sins of others, He Himself had to be utterly without blemish or fault. This statement highlights His unique qualification as the spotless Lamb of God, whose perfect righteousness enabled Him to fulfill the requirements of divine justice and offer a truly efficacious atonement for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Declarative Statement** to convey profound theological truths with directness and authority, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding Christ's purpose and nature. The use of **Antithesis** is evident in the contrast between "our sins" (the problem Christ came to solve) and "in him is no sin" (His perfect qualification to solve it). This stark contrast highlights both the gravity of human sin and the unparalleled purity of the Savior. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Theological Statement**, succinctly encapsulating core doctrines of Christology (His manifestation/incarnation, His sinlessness) and Soteriology (His work of taking away sins). The phrase "And ye know" also implies a form of **Apostolic Appeal to Shared Knowledge**, reinforcing the foundational nature of these truths for the Christian community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First John 3:5 is a concise yet profound theological statement that connects the incarnation of Christ directly to His atoning work and His perfect nature. It underscores the biblical truth that humanity's greatest problem is sin, and God's ultimate solution is found in the sinless Son, Jesus Christ. This verse establishes that Christ's coming was not merely for teaching or example, but primarily for expiation—to bear the weight and penalty of human sin, thereby reconciling a fallen humanity to a holy God. His sinlessness is not merely a moral attribute but a necessary qualification for His redemptive mission, making Him the perfect, unblemished sacrifice. This truth forms the bedrock of Christian hope and the foundation for the believer's new life.

* [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")
* [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice to Put Away Sin")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers believers both profound assurance and a clear impetus for holy living. The knowledge that Christ was manifested specifically "to take away our sins" provides immense comfort and certainty of God's forgiveness for all who trust in Him. It reminds us that our salvation is not based on our own efforts or merits, but solely on the finished work of Christ. This truth should lead to a deep sense of gratitude and freedom from the burden of guilt. Furthermore, the declaration "and in him is no sin" serves as a powerful standard and motivation for sanctification. If our Savior is utterly pure, and He came to remove the very sin that separates us from God, then those who are united with Him should strive to live in a manner consistent with His character and purpose. This doesn't imply sinless perfection in this life, but a genuine, progressive pursuit of holiness, empowered by the Spirit, as we grow in conformity to the one who redeemed us from sin's dominion. Our identity in Christ means we are no longer slaves to sin, but are called to walk in newness of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that Christ was manifested "to take away our sins" deepen your understanding of God's love and justice?**
* **In what ways does Christ's absolute sinlessness (as stated in this verse) provide assurance for your salvation?**
* **If Christ came to take away our sins, how should this truth practically impact your daily choices and pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ
**Why does John emphasize that "in him is no sin" if he already said He came to "take away our sins"?**

Answer: John emphasizes Christ's sinlessness because it is the foundational prerequisite for His ability to "take away our sins." For an atonement to be effective and acceptable to a holy God, the sacrifice offered must be spotless and blameless. If Jesus Himself had sin, He would be in need of a savior, not capable of being the Savior for others. His perfect, unblemished nature is what qualifies Him as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). This dual emphasis highlights both the problem (our sin) and the perfect solution (Christ's sinlessness and atoning work).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 John 3:5](/1_john/3-5 "1 John 3:5 - Purpose of Christ's Manifestation") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's redemptive plan. The "manifestation" spoken of here refers to the Incarnation, where the eternal Son of God entered human history, taking on flesh, as described in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). His purpose "to take away our sins" points directly to His atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He became sin for us, though He knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). This act fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system, where perfect lambs were offered to cover sin, culminating in Christ as the once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26-28 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). The declaration "and in him is no sin" is crucial, establishing Christ's unique qualification as the spotless Lamb, the High Priest who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ, the Perfect High Priest")). Therefore, this verse beautifully encapsulates the Gospel: the sinless Son of God was revealed in human form to bear and remove the sin of humanity, offering redemption and a path to righteousness for all who believe, thereby fulfilling God's eternal purpose in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

1 Peter 3:18

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Hebrews 9:26

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

John 1:29

¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

1 John 1:7

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.