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1 John 1:9

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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If {G1437} we confess {G3670} our {G2257} sins {G266}, he is {G2076} faithful {G4103} and {G2532} just {G1342} to {G2443} forgive {G863} us {G2254} our sins {G266}, and {G2532} to cleanse {G2511} us {G2248} from {G575} all {G3956} unrighteousness {G93}.

If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Commentary

1 John 1:9 (KJV)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Commentary

This verse is a cornerstone promise in the Bible regarding dealing with personal sin after becoming a believer. It follows a discussion about walking in the light and the reality of sin in a Christian's life (verses 6-8).

  • Context: John writes to encourage fellowship with God and with one another. He makes it clear that claiming to be without sin is self-deception (v. 8). This verse provides the necessary remedy for the inevitable failure to live perfectly in the light: honest confession to God.
  • Key Themes: The central themes are confession, God's character (faithfulness and justice), forgiveness, and cleansing. It highlights the path to restoration of fellowship with God when sin occurs.
  • Linguistic Insights: The Greek word for "confess" is homologeo, which means "to say the same thing," "to agree with." Confession of sin involves agreeing with God about what our sin is and its nature – acknowledging it according to His standard, not trying to excuse or minimize it.
  • God's Attributes: Forgiveness is presented not just as an act of mercy (though it is merciful), but as an act rooted in God's faithfulness and justice. Because Christ has already paid the penalty for sin, when we confess, God is faithful to His promise to forgive based on Christ's sacrifice, and just in applying that forgiveness to us who are in Christ. It's not arbitrary; it's based on the finished work of the cross.
  • Cleansing: The verse goes beyond simple forgiveness of the past act ("forgive us our sins") to a deeper work: "to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This suggests a purification from the defilement and lingering effects of sin, restoring us to a state of fellowship and righteousness before God.
  • Practical Application: This verse offers immense comfort and assurance. It encourages believers to approach God honestly about their sins, trusting completely in His reliable promise and the finished work of Christ for full forgiveness and spiritual cleansing. It underscores the importance of ongoing, humble confession in the Christian life.

See also: Proverbs 28:13, Hebrews 10:19-22.

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

  • Psalms 32:5 (147 votes)

    I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

  • Proverbs 28:13 (146 votes)

    ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

  • Jeremiah 33:8 (81 votes)

    And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

  • Psalms 51:2 (60 votes)

    Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

  • Psalms 51:5 (60 votes)

    Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

  • 1 John 1:7 (52 votes)

    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.

  • Ezekiel 36:25 (38 votes)

    ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.