1 John 3:7

KJV

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

KJV (with Strong's)

Little children {G5040}, let {G4105} no man {G3367} deceive {G4105} you {G5209}: he that doeth {G4160} righteousness {G1343} is {G2076} righteous {G1342}, even as {G2531} he {G1565} is {G2076} righteous {G1342}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Children, don’t let anyone deceive you — it is the person that keeps on doing what is right who is righteous, just as God is righteous.

Berean Standard Bible

Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.

American Standard Version

My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 3:7 serves as a crucial warning and affirmation, instructing believers not to be deceived by false teachings that separate genuine faith from righteous living. John emphatically states that true righteousness is not merely a verbal profession but is evidenced by a consistent lifestyle of obedience to God's commands, mirroring the perfect righteousness of God Himself. This verse underscores the inseparable link between authentic spiritual life and ethical conduct, highlighting that a transformed heart will inevitably produce righteous actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of 1 John (chapters 2-3) where the apostle is contrasting true believers with false teachers and those who claim to know God but do not live righteously. Immediately preceding [1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness"), John asserts that "whoever abides in Him does not sin" ([1 John 3:6](/1_john/3-6 "1 John 3:6 - Abiding in Christ and Not Sinning")), and earlier, he states that "every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" ([1 John 2:29](/1_john/2-29 "1 John 2:29 - Born of God by Doing Righteousness")). Thus, [1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness") functions as a direct application and reinforcement of these principles, serving as a pastoral warning against spiritual deception that would undermine the necessity of ethical conduct as evidence of genuine faith. It sets the stage for further discussion on love and sin in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's epistle was written to early Christian communities, likely in Asia Minor, grappling with the emergence of proto-Gnostic heresies. These false teachers often propagated a dualistic worldview, asserting that matter was inherently evil and spirit was good. This led to two dangerous extremes: asceticism (denying the body) or libertinism (indulging the body, believing physical actions had no bearing on spiritual standing). Specifically, they claimed a superior spiritual knowledge (gnosis) that supposedly exempted them from moral obligations. They might have denied the true humanity of Christ or the reality of sin. John's letter, therefore, vigorously counters these errors by emphasizing the tangible, ethical implications of true faith and the incarnate reality of Jesus Christ. The cultural context also involved a society where moral standards could be fluid, making John's clear call to righteousness all the more critical for distinguishing genuine believers.
* **Key Themes:** [1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness") contributes significantly to several major themes in the epistle. Firstly, it strongly reinforces the theme of **Authentic Assurance**, arguing that one's conduct is a vital indicator of spiritual reality. John consistently links knowing God with obeying God, as seen in [1 John 2:3-6](/1_john/2-3-6 "1 John 2:3-6 - Knowing God through Obedience"). Secondly, it addresses the theme of **Warning Against Deception**, which is paramount in the face of false teachers. John's repeated admonitions to "let no man deceive you" or "test the spirits" ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Testing the Spirits")) highlight the danger of erroneous doctrines that compromise truth and godliness. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Righteous Living as Evidence of New Birth**. For John, "doing righteousness" is not a means to salvation but a natural outflow and proof of being "born of God" ([1 John 2:29](/1_john/2-29 "1 John 2:29 - Born of God by Doing Righteousness")). Finally, the verse points to the **Divine Standard of Righteousness**, asserting that our righteousness is measured against God's own perfect character, a standard perfectly embodied in Christ, as discussed throughout the book, particularly in [1 John 3:2-3](/1_john/3-2-3 "1 John 3:2-3 - Becoming Like Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Little children (Greek, _tekníon'_):** This diminutive term, used affectionately by John, signifies a tender, paternal relationship with his readers, who are his spiritual offspring or converts. It conveys warmth, intimacy, and pastoral authority, setting a tone of loving instruction rather than harsh rebuke. It also implies their spiritual immaturity or vulnerability to deception, hence the need for clear guidance.
* **Deceive (Greek, _planáō'_):** From which we get "planet" (wandering star), this verb means to cause to wander, to lead astray, or to delude. In a spiritual context, it refers to being led away from the truth, from moral rectitude, or from a right relationship with God. John uses it as a strong warning against false teachings that would mislead believers about the true nature of Christian living and salvation.
* **Righteous (Greek, _díkaios'_):** This adjective describes someone who is just, upright, and conforms to divine law and moral standards. It implies a state of being in right relationship with God and acting in accordance with His will. When applied to God or Christ, it denotes perfect moral integrity and justice. When applied to believers, it signifies a character and conduct that reflect God's own holiness, not self-achieved perfection, but a genuine and active pursuit of God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Little children, let no man deceive you:"** John begins with a tender, pastoral address, "Little children," emphasizing his deep affection and concern for his readers. This is immediately followed by a stern warning: "let no man deceive you." This imperative highlights the active threat of false teachers who were attempting to mislead believers about the nature of Christian life, particularly regarding the relationship between faith and conduct. It calls for vigilance and discernment.
* **"he that doeth righteousness is righteous,"** This clause presents a foundational truth: genuine righteousness is not merely a theoretical concept or a verbal claim, but it is demonstrated through action. The phrase "doeth righteousness" (Greek: _poiōn dikaiosynēn_) implies a continuous, habitual practice of living in accordance with God's will and moral standards. It is a lifestyle characterized by obedience, integrity, and justice. John asserts that such a person, whose life is marked by these actions, is truly "righteous" in God's sight, indicating a transformed nature.
* **"even as he is righteous."** This concluding phrase establishes the ultimate standard for righteousness. "He" refers to God Himself, or by extension, to Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's righteousness. The believer's "doing righteousness" is not an arbitrary moral code but a reflection and imitation of God's own perfect character. It signifies a participation in His nature and a conformity to His holiness, enabled by the indwelling Spirit. This comparison underscores that true Christian righteousness is divinely sourced and divinely patterned.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several effective literary devices in [1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness"). The verse opens with **Direct Address** and **Apostrophe** through the tender invocation "Little children," immediately establishing a personal, pastoral tone and drawing the reader into a familial relationship with the author. This warmth contrasts sharply with the urgent **Didactic Tone** of the warning, "let no man deceive you," which functions as an imperative, demanding attention and vigilance. The core of the verse utilizes **Assertion** to state a fundamental truth: "he that doeth righteousness is righteous." This is reinforced by **Comparison** or **Simile** in the phrase "even as he is righteous," which sets God's perfect righteousness as the ultimate standard and pattern for the believer's life. This comparison implicitly creates a **Contrast** between those who genuinely live righteously and those who merely claim righteousness without corresponding actions, a central theme in John's polemic against false teachers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness") is deeply theological, asserting that true spiritual life is intrinsically linked to moral conduct. It refutes any notion of a disembodied spirituality or a faith that does not manifest in works. This verse aligns with the consistent biblical teaching that while salvation is by grace through faith, genuine faith will always produce the fruit of righteousness. It underscores that our righteousness is not self-generated but is a reflection of God's own character, made possible by our union with Him. The "doing" of righteousness is not a means to earn salvation, but rather the visible, tangible evidence of a new nature and a transformed heart, indicating that one is truly "born of God."

* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith without works is dead")
* [Matthew 7:20](/matthew/7-20 "Matthew 7:20 - By their fruits you will know them")
* [Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11-12 "Titus 2:11-12 - Grace teaches us to live righteously")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, [1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness") serves as a powerful call to spiritual integrity and a vital safeguard against self-deception. It challenges us to examine whether our outward actions align with our inward profession of faith. In a world where religious claims can often be divorced from ethical living, John reminds us that true Christianity is a holistic transformation that impacts every area of life. Our pursuit of righteousness is not a burdensome legalism but a joyful response to God's grace and a natural overflow of His Spirit working within us. It is a demonstration of our love for God and our desire to reflect His character to the world. This verse encourages us to live authentically, allowing our lives to be a testament to the transforming power of the Gospel, constantly striving to imitate the perfect righteousness of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be susceptible to deception regarding the link between faith and action?**
* **How consistently do my daily actions reflect the righteousness I profess as a Christian?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "do righteousness" more intentionally in my relationships, work, and personal habits?**
* **How does the understanding that God "is righteous" motivate and shape my own pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ
**Does "doing righteousness" mean we earn our salvation?**

Answer: Absolutely not. [1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness") does not teach salvation by works. The Bible is clear that salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by anything we do ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Rather, "doing righteousness" is presented as the *evidence* and *fruit* of genuine salvation and a transformed heart. If someone is truly born of God, their life will naturally begin to reflect God's righteous character, just as a healthy tree produces good fruit ([Matthew 7:17-20](/matthew/7-17-20 "Matthew 7:17-20 - A Tree is Known by Its Fruit")). It's a sign of a living faith, not a condition for receiving it.

**Who is "He" that is righteous, whom we are to be like?**

Answer: The "He" in "even as he is righteous" primarily refers to God the Father, who is perfectly righteous and holy in His very nature. By extension, it also refers to Jesus Christ, who is the perfect embodiment of God's righteousness and the ultimate example for believers ([1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ Our Example")). The call to "do righteousness" is therefore a call to imitate God's character and to live in conformity with the moral standard revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ. Our righteousness is a reflection of His, enabled by His Spirit within us.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 John 3:7](/1_john/3-7 "1 John 3:7 - Doing Righteousness") finds its ultimate fulfillment and enablement in Jesus Christ. He is the perfectly righteous One, the only human being who ever "did righteousness" flawlessly, living a life entirely without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus was without sin")). Our ability to "do righteousness" is not a self-generated effort but flows directly from our union with Him. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us, "that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). This imputed righteousness is the foundation of our standing before God. Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers to live out practical righteousness, fulfilling the "righteous requirement of the law" in those who "walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit" ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Spirit Fulfills the Law's Righteousness")). Thus, our doing of righteousness is both a consequence of Christ's work for us and a fruit of Christ's life in us, a tangible manifestation of His transforming power.

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

1 John 2:29

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1 Peter 1:15

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Romans 2:13

(For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

1 John 3:3

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1 John 2:1

¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Psalms 45:7

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.