1 John 1:10 Study Bible: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

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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
This phrase introduces a hypothetical claim, reflecting a common rhetorical style in John's epistles. The Greek word "ἐὰν εἴπωμεν" (ean eipōmen) suggests a conditional statement, inviting readers to examine their own assertions about sin. Historically, this reflects early Christian communities grappling with Gnostic influences that denied the reality of sin.

we have not sinned
The Greek "οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν" (ouch hēmartēkamen) is a perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing effects. This phrase challenges any denial of personal sinfulness, a concept deeply rooted in the Jewish understanding of human nature as seen in the Old Testament. The denial of sin contradicts the biblical narrative of humanity's fall and need for redemption.

we make Him out to be a liar
The phrase "ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτόν" (pseustēn poioumen auton) is a strong accusation. To claim sinlessness is to contradict God's revelation about human nature and His declarations throughout Scripture, such as in Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This phrase underscores the gravity of denying sin, as it directly challenges God's truthfulness.

and His word is not in us
The Greek "καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν" (kai ho logos autou ouk estin en hēmin) emphasizes the absence of God's transformative truth in those who deny sin. "Logos" (λόγος) is a profound term, often referring to Christ Himself (John 1:1) or God's revealed truth. This phrase suggests that acknowledging sin is essential for God's word to dwell within us, aligning with the transformative power of Scripture and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Persons / Places / Events

1. John the Apostle
The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Christ and his emphasis on love and truth.

2. The Early Church
The audience of John's letter, consisting of early Christians who were facing false teachings and needed reassurance of their faith.

3. False Teachers
Individuals in the early church who denied the reality of sin and the need for confession, leading believers astray.

Teaching Points

Acknowledgment of Sin
Recognizing our sin is crucial for a genuine relationship with God. Denying sin is equivalent to calling God a liar, as it contradicts His revelation about human nature.

The Importance of Confession
Confession is a vital practice for believers. It aligns us with God's truth and allows His word to dwell in us richly, leading to spiritual growth and maturity.

The Role of God's Word
God's word is the standard of truth. When we deny our sin, we reject His word, which should be the foundation of our beliefs and actions.

Guarding Against Deception
Believers must be vigilant against false teachings that minimize or deny sin. Such teachings can lead us away from the truth and hinder our fellowship with God.

Living in Truth
Living in truth involves a continual process of self-examination and repentance. It is through this process that we maintain a healthy and honest relationship with God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does acknowledging our sinfulness enhance our relationship with God and others?

2. In what ways can we ensure that God's word remains central in our lives, preventing us from falling into the trap of denying our sin?

3. How can we discern and guard against false teachings that contradict the biblical understanding of sin?

4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate a habit of regular confession and repentance in our daily walk with Christ?

5. How does understanding the seriousness of making God a liar by denying sin impact our approach to sharing the gospel with others?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Romans 3:23
This verse underscores the universality of sin, affirming that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, which aligns with John's assertion that claiming sinlessness is a lie.

Proverbs 30:5-6
These verses emphasize the truthfulness of God's word and the danger of adding to it, paralleling the idea that denying sin contradicts God's truth.

John 8:44
Jesus describes the devil as the father of lies, highlighting the seriousness of making God a liar by denying our sinfulness.

Sermons

A Glorious Message	W. Jay.	1 John 1:5-10
Communion with God	J. Alexander.	1 John 1:5-10
Fellowship with God	H. Thorne.	1 John 1:5-10
God is Light	D. Smith.	1 John 1:5-10
God is Light	The Evangelical Preacher	1 John 1:5-10
God is Tight	J. P. Lilley, M. A	1 John 1:5-10
God the Satisfying Light	W. Arthur.	1 John 1:5-10
Light and Darkness: Sin and Purification	F. D. Maurice, M. A.	1 John 1:5-10
Light in the Hour of Darkness	E. W. Bibb.	1 John 1:5-10
Light the Nature and Dwelling Place of God	R. S. Candlish,D. D.	1 John 1:5-10
Message from Christ Brought to Bear on Fellowship with God	R. Finlayson	1 John 1:5-10
No Darkness in God	A. R. Fausset, M. A.	1 John 1:5-10
No Substitute for Light		1 John 1:5-10
The Child of Light Walking in Light	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 John 1:5-10
The Clergy God's Messengers	E. Blencowe, M. A.	1 John 1:5-10
The Conditions of Divine Fellowship	James Morgan, D. D.	1 John 1:5-10
The Perfect Light of God	Dean Church.	1 John 1:5-10
The Right Way of Obtaining and Maintaining Communion with God	M. Barker, M. A.	1 John 1:5-10
Assumptions of Sinlessness	C. Moinet, M. D.	1 John 1:8-10
Compression of Sins and the Power of Absolution	Bp. Sparrow.	1 John 1:8-10
Confession	Dean Goulburn.	1 John 1:8-10
Confession of Sin	F. W. P. Greenwood, D. D.	1 John 1:8-10
Confession of Sin	H. Binning.	1 John 1:8-10
Confession of Sins the Sure Condition of Forgiveness and Cleansing	J. J. Glen-Kippen.	1 John 1:8-10
Deceiving Ourselves	Lyman Abbott.	1 John 1:8-10
Denial of Sin and Confession of Sin with Their Respective Consequences	D. Clark.	1 John 1:8-10
Divine Forgiveness	R. S. Storrs.	1 John 1:8-10
God's Justice in Forgiveness	W. A. Whitworth, M. A.	1 John 1:8-10
God's Justice in Forgiveness	K. Arvine.	1 John 1:8-10
Honest Confession Best	H. W. Beecher.	1 John 1:8-10
Honest Dealing with God	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 John 1:8-10
Insincere Confession	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 John 1:8-10
Justice Satisfied	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 John 1:8-10
Man's Attitude Towards His Own Sins	W. Jones	1 John 1:8-10
Self-Delusion as to Our State Before God	Prof. W. A. Butler.	1 John 1:8-10
Sins of Heart	C. Stanford, D. D.	1 John 1:8-10
Spiritual Cleansing		1 John 1:8-10
The Conviction and Confession of Sin	James Morgan, D. D.	1 John 1:8-10
The Heart Sinful	R. McCheyne.	1 John 1:8-10
The Primary Condition of the Divine Fellowship Fulfilled in the Believing Compression of a Guileless Spirit	R. S. Candlish, D. D.	1 John 1:8-10
The True Comfort	W. A. Cornwall, M. A.	1 John 1:8-10

People

John

Places

Ephesus

Topics

Claim, Deny, Haven't, Hearts, Liar, Message, Sin, Sinned

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 John 1:10

     5851   excuse
     5943   self-deception
     6023   sin, universality
     6677   justification, necessity
     8824   self-righteousness, nature of
     8835   unbelief, nature of

1 John 1:7-10

8316 orthodoxy, in NT

1 John 1:8-10

     1436   reality
     5775   abuse
     5942   security
     6624   confession, of sin
     8775   libertinism

Library

Walking in the Light
'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.'--1 John i. 7. John was the Apostle of love, but he was also a 'son of thunder.' His intense moral earnestness and his very love made him hate evil, and sternly condemn it; and his words flash and roll as no other words in Scripture, except the words of the Lord of love. In the immediate context he has been laying down what is to him the very heart …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Message and Its Practical Results
'This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, He is …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

June the Twenty-Seventh God is Light!
"In Him is no darkness at all." --1 JOHN i. That wonderful mansion of God's Being is gloriously radiant in every room! In the house of my life there are dark chambers, and rooms which are only partially illumined, the other parts being in the possession of night. Some of my faculties and powers are dark ministers, and some of my moods are far from being "homes of light." But "God is light," and everything is glorious as the meridian sun! His holiness, His grace, His love, His mercy: there are …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

On Working Out Our Own Salvation
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil. 2:12-13. 1. Some great truths, as the being and attributes of God, and the difference between moral good and evil, were known, in some measure, to the heathen world. The traces of them are to be found in all nations; So that, in some sense, it may be said to every child of man, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; even to do justly, to love mercy, and to …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man is peace." * * Preached at the funeral of Asa Witter, Esq. Oct. 9th, 1792. The subject of this psalm is the way and end of the righteous and the wicked. It is designed to calm the minds of good people when tried with adversity, and to reconcile them to the divine administration in the unequal distributions of Providence, and the apparent disregard of character, in those distributions. With these views, the writer, after glancing …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Fellowship with God
And now, my brethren and sisters in the common faith of our Lord Jesus, this morning I trust that many of us can say, "Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Did the apostle John need to say, "Truly"--as much as though some doubted or denied it? We, too, have sometimes an occasion to make as solemn an affirmation as he has done. There are certain sectaries who exalt the form of their church government into a sine qua non of piety, and they say of us that it is impossible …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

The Life of God
1 JOHN i. 2. For the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us! What do we mean, when we speak of the Life everlasting? Do we mean that men's souls are immortal, and will live for ever after death, either in happiness or misery? We must mean more than that. At least we ought to mean more than that, if we be Christian men. For the Bible tells us, that Christ brought life and immortality to …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Acts 17:26 "One Blood. "
[6] THIS is a very short and simple text, and even a child knows the meaning of its words. But simple as it is, it supplies food for much thought, and it forms part of a speech delivered by a great man on a great occasion. The speaker is the Apostle of the Gentiles, St. Paul. The hearers are the cultivated men of Athens, and specially the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. The place is Mars' Hill at Athens, in full view of religious buildings and statues, of which even the shattered remains are a …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the Flesh, God Sending his Own Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh,
Rom. viii. 3.--"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." The greatest design that ever God had in the world, is certainly the sending of his own Son into the world. And it must needs be some great business, that drew so excellent and glorious a person out of heaven. The plot and contrivance of the world was a profound piece of wisdom and goodness, the making of men after …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
Psalm lxxiii. 24-28.--"Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, &c. Whom have I in heaven but thee? &c. It is good for me to draw near to God."--1 John i. 3. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."--John xvii. 21-23. "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, &c." It is a matter of great consolation that God's …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Light.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.--1 John i. 5. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light; because their deeds were evil.--John iii. 19. We call the story of Jesus, told so differently, yet to my mind so consistently, by four narrators, the gospel. What makes this tale the good news? Is everything in the story of Christ's life on earth …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Synopsis. --Biblical Miracles the Effluence of Extraordinary Lives.
V SYNOPSIS.--Biblical miracles the effluence of extraordinary lives.--Life the world's magician and miracle worker; its miracles now termed prodigies.--Miracle the natural product of an extraordinary endowment of life.--Life the ultimate reality.--What any man can achieve is conditioned by the psychical quality of his life.--Nothing more natural, more supernatural, than life.--The derived life of the world filial to the self-existent life of God, "begotten, not made."--Miracle, as the product of …
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

The Next Petition Is, Forgive us Our Debts. ...
The next petition is, FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS. In this and the following petition our Saviour has briefly comprehended whatever is conducive to the heavenly life, as these two members contain the spiritual covenant which God made for the salvation of his Church, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts." "I will pardon all their iniquities" (Jer. 31:33; 33:8). Here our Saviour begins with the forgiveness of sins, and then adds the subsequent blessing, viz., that God would …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

Divine Fellowship
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.'. (1 John i. 3.) My mind and heart have been dwelling upon that sweet word 'fellowship'. We all know what it means in ordinary social intercourse--it means acquaintance, friendship, communion of spirit, interchange of thought and feeling. But I want you to see that all this marks the fellowship prevailing between the Lord …
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

The Way of Fellowship
When man fell and chose to make himself, rather than God, the centre of his life, the effect was not only to put man out of fellowship with God, but also out of fellowship with his fellow man. The story of man's first quarrel with God in the third chapter of Genesis is closely followed, in the fourth chapter, by the story of man's first quarrel with his fellow, Cain's murder of Abel. The Fall is simply, "we have turned every one to his own way."[footnote1: Is. 53: 6] If I want my own way rather than …
Roy Hession and Revel Hession—The Calvary Road

Sanctification.
In the last chapter we showed that the doctrine of justification deals with the sinner's change of relation, or change of state. We also learned that faith is the instrumental or applying cause of justification. In another place we showed that true faith presupposes penitence, and this again presupposes a sense and knowledge of sin. Again we showed that penitence and faith are the two essential elements of conversion; that where these elements are found there is a change of heart, and the beginning …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Apostolate.
"That ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."--1 John i. 3. The apostolate bears the character of an extraordinary manifestation, not seen before or after it, in which we discover a proper work of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were ambassadors extraordinary -- different from the prophets, different from the present ministers of the Word. In the history of the Church and the world they occupy a unique position and have a peculiar …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Character of the New Testament Scripture.
"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."--1 John i. 4. From the two preceding articles it is evident that the New Testament Scripture was not intended to bear the character of a notarial document. If this had been the Lord's intention we should have received something entirely different. It would have required a twofold legal evidence: In the first place, the proof that the events narrated in the New Testament actually occurred as related. Secondly, that the revelations received …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Communion of Goods.
"If we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another."-- 1 John i. 7. The communion of saints is in the Light. In heaven alone, in the halls of the eternal Light, it shall shine with undimmed brightness. Even on earth its delights are known only inasmuch as the saints walk in the light. This communion of saints is a holy confederacy; a bond of shareholders in the same holy enterprise; a partnership of all God's children; an essential union for the enjoyment of a common good; a firm not of …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The External History of the Pelagian Controversy.
Pelagius seems to have been already somewhat softened by increasing age when he came to Rome about the opening of the fifth century. He was also constitutionally averse to controversy; and although in his zeal for Christian morals, and in his conviction that no man would attempt to do what he was not persuaded he had natural power to perform, he diligently propagated his doctrines privately, he was careful to rouse no opposition, and was content to make what progress he could quietly and without …
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings

By the Same Author.
THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. COLOSSIAN STUDIES. EPHESIAN STUDIES. TO MY YOUNGER BRETHREN ON PASTORAL LIFE AND WORK. OUTLINES OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. (In the Theological Educator Series.) VENI CREATOR: THOUGHTS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE. Third Edition. LIFE IN CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST. "NEED AND FULNESS." "PATIENCE AND COMFORT." THOUGHTS ON CHRISTIAN SANCTITY. THOUGHTS ON UNION WITH CHRIST. THOUGHTS ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. SECRET PRAYER. "AT THE HOLY COMMUNION." Thoughts for Preparation and Communion. …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

Reception Christ Met With.
JOHN i. 1-18. In describing the Word of God, John mentions two attributes of His by which His relation to men becomes apparent: "All things were made by Him," and "the life was the light of men." By whom were all things made? what is the originating force which has produced the world? how are we to account for the existence, the harmony, and the progress of the universe?--these are questions which must always be put. Everywhere in nature force and intelligence appear; the supply of life and power …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I

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