1 John 1:9
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
The phrase "If we confess our sins" begins with the conditional "if," indicating a choice and an action required on our part. The Greek word for "confess" is "homologeo," which means to agree with or to acknowledge. This implies a sincere admission of our wrongdoings, not merely a superficial acknowledgment. In the historical context of the early church, confession was a communal and personal act, often done publicly or within a community, reflecting a deep commitment to truth and transparency. The act of confessing is not just about listing sins but involves a heartfelt recognition of our need for God's grace.

He is faithful and just
The assurance that "He is faithful and just" speaks to the character of God. The Greek word for "faithful" is "pistos," which conveys reliability and trustworthiness. God’s faithfulness is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to His promises. The term "just" comes from the Greek "dikaios," meaning righteous or fair. This highlights God's moral integrity and His commitment to justice. Historically, this assurance would have been comforting to early Christians facing persecution, reminding them that God’s nature is unchanging and dependable.

to forgive us our sins
The phrase "to forgive us our sins" underscores the purpose and result of confession. The Greek word for "forgive" is "aphiemi," which means to send away or to release. This conveys the idea of God removing the burden of sin from us, offering complete liberation. In the scriptural context, forgiveness is not earned but is a gift of grace, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ. This assurance of forgiveness would have been a profound source of hope and renewal for believers, emphasizing the transformative power of God’s mercy.

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
Finally, "and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" speaks to the comprehensive nature of God’s redemptive work. The Greek word for "cleanse" is "katharizo," which means to purify or make clean. This purification is not just a surface-level cleansing but a deep, spiritual renewal. The term "unrighteousness" refers to anything that is not in alignment with God’s holy standards. Historically, the concept of cleansing would resonate with Jewish purification rituals, symbolizing a return to a state of holiness and acceptance before God. This promise assures believers that through confession and God’s grace, they are restored to a right relationship with Him, free from the stain of sin.

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 this letter, consisting of early Christians who were facing false teachings and needed reassurance of their faith.

3. Confession
The act of acknowledging one's sins before God, which is central to the verse and the process of receiving forgiveness.

4. God's Faithfulness and Justice
Attributes of God highlighted in this verse, emphasizing His reliability and fairness in forgiving sins.

5. Forgiveness and Cleansing
The divine actions promised to believers who confess, signifying both the removal of guilt and the purification from sin.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Confession
Confession is not just a ritual but a heartfelt acknowledgment of our sins before God. It is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with Him.

God's Faithfulness and Justice
God's promise to forgive is rooted in His unchanging nature. His faithfulness ensures that He will do what He has promised, and His justice ensures that forgiveness is granted through the sacrifice of Jesus.

The Dual Aspect of Forgiveness and Cleansing
Forgiveness removes the guilt of sin, while cleansing purifies us from its effects. This dual action restores our fellowship with God and renews our spiritual vitality.

Living in the Light
Confession is part of walking in the light, as mentioned earlier in 1 John. It involves living transparently before God and others, free from the burden of hidden sin.

Encouragement for Believers
This verse offers assurance and hope. No matter how great our sins, God's grace is greater, and He is ready to forgive and cleanse us when we come to Him in repentance.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to confess our sins, and how can we practice this regularly in our personal prayer life?

2. How does understanding God's faithfulness and justice impact our view of His forgiveness?

3. In what ways can we experience both forgiveness and cleansing in our daily walk with God?

4. How can we encourage one another in the practice of confession within our Christian community?

5. How does 1 John 1:9 connect with the broader biblical theme of repentance and forgiveness, and how can this understanding transform our relationships with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 32:5
This verse also speaks about confessing sins and receiving forgiveness, highlighting the joy and relief that comes from being honest with God.

Proverbs 28:13
It contrasts the consequences of hiding sin with the blessings of confession and mercy.

James 5:16
Encourages believers to confess their sins to one another, emphasizing the communal aspect of confession and healing.

Hebrews 10:22
Discusses drawing near to God with a sincere heart, having been cleansed from a guilty conscience, which aligns with the cleansing mentioned in 1 John 1:9.

Matthew 6:12
Part of the Lord's Prayer, it underscores the importance of seeking forgiveness as we forgive others, linking personal confession with relational forgiveness.
On Working Out Our Own SalvationJohn Wesley 1 John 1:9
A Glorious MessageW. Jay.1 John 1:5-10
Communion with GodJ. Alexander.1 John 1:5-10
Fellowship with GodH. Thorne.1 John 1:5-10
God is LightD. Smith.1 John 1:5-10
God is LightThe Evangelical Preacher1 John 1:5-10
God is TightJ. P. Lilley, M. A1 John 1:5-10
God the Satisfying LightW. Arthur.1 John 1:5-10
Light and Darkness: Sin and PurificationF. D. Maurice, M. A.1 John 1:5-10
Light in the Hour of DarknessE. W. Bibb.1 John 1:5-10
Light the Nature and Dwelling Place of GodR. S. Candlish,D. D.1 John 1:5-10
Message from Christ Brought to Bear on Fellowship with GodR. Finlayson 1 John 1:5-10
No Darkness in GodA. R. Fausset, M. A.1 John 1:5-10
No Substitute for Light1 John 1:5-10
The Child of Light Walking in LightC. H. Spurgeon.1 John 1:5-10
The Clergy God's MessengersE. Blencowe, M. A.1 John 1:5-10
The Conditions of Divine FellowshipJames Morgan, D. D.1 John 1:5-10
The Perfect Light of GodDean Church.1 John 1:5-10
The Right Way of Obtaining and Maintaining Communion with GodM. Barker, M. A.1 John 1:5-10
Assumptions of SinlessnessC. Moinet, M. D.1 John 1:8-10
Compression of Sins and the Power of AbsolutionBp. Sparrow.1 John 1:8-10
ConfessionDean Goulburn.1 John 1:8-10
Confession of SinF. W. P. Greenwood, D. D.1 John 1:8-10
Confession of SinH. Binning.1 John 1:8-10
Confession of Sins the Sure Condition of Forgiveness and CleansingJ. J. Glen-Kippen.1 John 1:8-10
Deceiving OurselvesLyman Abbott.1 John 1:8-10
Denial of Sin and Confession of Sin with Their Respective ConsequencesD. Clark.1 John 1:8-10
Divine ForgivenessR. S. Storrs.1 John 1:8-10
God's Justice in ForgivenessW. A. Whitworth, M. A.1 John 1:8-10
God's Justice in ForgivenessK. Arvine.1 John 1:8-10
Honest Confession BestH. W. Beecher.1 John 1:8-10
Honest Dealing with GodC. H. Spurgeon.1 John 1:8-10
Insincere ConfessionC. H. Spurgeon.1 John 1:8-10
Justice SatisfiedC. H. Spurgeon.1 John 1:8-10
Man's Attitude Towards His Own SinsW. Jones 1 John 1:8-10
Self-Delusion as to Our State Before GodProf. W. A. Butler.1 John 1:8-10
Sins of HeartC. Stanford, D. D.1 John 1:8-10
Spiritual Cleansing1 John 1:8-10
The Conviction and Confession of SinJames Morgan, D. D.1 John 1:8-10
The Heart SinfulR. McCheyne.1 John 1:8-10
The Primary Condition of the Divine Fellowship Fulfilled in the Believing Compression of a Guileless SpiritR. S. Candlish, D. D.1 John 1:8-10
The True ComfortW. A. Cornwall, M. A.1 John 1:8-10
People
John
Places
Ephesus
Topics
TRUE, Cleanse, Cleanses, Confess, Evil, Faithful, Forgive, Forgiveness, Forgives, Giving, Making, Openly, Purify, Righteous, Sins, Stedfast, Unrighteousness, Upright, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 John 1:9

     1035   God, faithfulness
     1055   God, grace and mercy
     1065   God, holiness of
     1075   God, justice of
     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     5467   promises, divine
     5762   attitudes, God to people
     5881   immaturity
     6028   sin, deliverance from
     6029   sin, forgiveness
     6040   sinners
     6163   faults
     6688   mercy, demonstration of God's
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     7416   purification
     8106   assurance, nature of
     8272   holiness, growth in
     8658   Lord's Prayer

1 John 1:5-9

     8604   prayer, response to God

1 John 1:6-9

     7317   blood, of Christ

1 John 1:7-9

     6175   guilt, removal of

1 John 1:7-10

     8316   orthodoxy, in NT

1 John 1:8-9

     4817   drought, spiritual
     5812   concealment

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

Links
1 John 1:9 NIV
1 John 1:9 NLT
1 John 1:9 ESV
1 John 1:9 NASB
1 John 1:9 KJV

1 John 1:9 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 John 1:8
Top of Page
Top of Page