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1 John 1:10

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If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

If {G1437} we say {G2036} that {G3754} we have {G264} not {G3756} sinned {G264}, we make {G4160} him {G846} a liar {G5583}, and {G2532} his {G846} word {G3056} is {G2076} not {G3756} in {G1722} us {G2254}.

If we claim we have not been sinning, we are making him out to be a liar, and his Word is not in us.

If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Commentary

Context

First John 1:10 concludes a crucial opening passage in John's first epistle, which establishes foundational truths about Christian fellowship, the nature of God, and the reality of sin. Following the declaration in 1 John 1:8 that denying sin is self-deception and leads to the absence of truth within us, and the promise in 1 John 1:9 of God's faithfulness to forgive those who confess their sins, this verse delivers an even stronger warning. John is addressing a potential attitude among believers—perhaps influenced by early Gnostic ideas that denied the reality or significance of sin for those deemed "spiritual"—that would claim a sinless state after conversion.

Key Themes

  • Universal Sinfulness: This verse unequivocally affirms the reality of sin in every human life, including that of a believer. To claim otherwise is to reject a core biblical truth regarding humanity's fallen state.
  • God's Truthfulness: Denying one's sin is presented as an act of making God a liar. God's Word consistently declares the presence of sin (e.g., Romans 3:10, Psalm 14:3), and to contradict this is to challenge His very character as the God who cannot lie.
  • Absence of God's Word: The phrase "his word is not in us" signifies a profound spiritual disconnect. It means that the truth of God, as revealed in scripture and by the Holy Spirit, has not taken root or is not being embraced and obeyed. This lack of alignment with God's truth leads to spiritual blindness and a rejection of the path to forgiveness and cleansing.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "sinned" in "we have not sinned" is in the perfect tense (hēmartēkamen), which can denote either a past action with continuing results or a settled state. In this context, it refers to the assertion that one has never committed a sin, or that sin is no longer a present reality in one's life in such a way that it needs confession. This contrasts with the present tense "have no sin" in 1 John 1:8, which speaks to a continuous state of being without sin. Both verses emphasize the profound error of denying sin, whether as an act or as a continuous reality in the human condition.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful call to humility and honesty before God. For believers, it's a reminder that while we are declared righteous in Christ, we still wrestle with the presence of sin in our lives (our "flesh").

  • Embrace Honesty: True spiritual growth begins with an honest acknowledgment of our imperfections and failures. Denying sin is a dangerous form of self-deception that hinders genuine fellowship with God and others.
  • Value God's Word: To allow God's word to be "in us" means to accept His assessment of our condition, including our sinfulness, and to embrace His provision for it through Christ. It encourages consistent engagement with Scripture.
  • Live in Confession: Rather than pretending to be perfect, we are called to live in an attitude of ongoing confession and repentance, continually relying on God's grace and forgiveness as promised in 1 John 1:9. This path leads to cleansing and renewed fellowship, not condemnation.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 1:8 (13 votes)

    ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • 1 John 5:10 (8 votes)

    ¶ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

  • 1 John 2:4 (6 votes)

    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

  • 2 John 1:2 (5 votes)

    For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

  • Psalms 130:3 (5 votes)

    If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

  • 1 John 2:14 (3 votes)

    I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

  • Job 24:25 (3 votes)

    And if [it be] not [so] now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?