1 John 1:10 kjv

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

1 John 1:10 nkjv

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

1 John 1:10 niv

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:10 esv

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

1 John 1:10 nlt

If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 1 verses

1 John 1 10 Meaning

If we assert that we have not committed acts of sin, we essentially declare God to be a liar. Furthermore, such a declaration reveals that His divine truth and message do not reside within us. This verse clarifies that denying our actions of sin directly contradicts God's nature and Word.

1 John 1 10 Context

1 John chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the epistle, establishing John's authority as an eyewitness to Christ and articulating the conditions for fellowship with God. The verses immediately preceding 1 John 1:10 (v.5-7) describe God as light and call believers to "walk in the light." John then addresses claims that oppose this truth. Verse 8 refutes those who claim they have no sin (referring to a sinless nature or inherent state). Verse 9 offers the remedy: confession and forgiveness. Then, verse 10 specifically refutes those who claim they have not sinned (referring to having never committed specific acts of sin in their lives). Historically, John was likely combating early forms of Gnosticism or similar heretical teachings that promoted spiritual pride and detachment from moral reality. These groups sometimes believed their special "knowledge" made them impervious to sin, or that sin was merely an illusion or only applicable to the physical body. John refutes this, insisting on the reality of sin and the necessity of its confession for true fellowship with God and the abiding presence of His Word.

1 John 1 10 Word analysis

• If we say: Greek eán legomen (ἐάν λέγομεν). This is a conditional clause. Legomen (from legō) means "to say, speak, assert." It indicates not merely an inner thought but an outward, spoken claim or teaching, suggesting a potential denial of objective truth made by some within or impacting the Christian community.
• that we have not sinned: Greek ouk hēmartēkamen (οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν). The negative ouk ("not") is strong. Hēmartēkamen is the perfect active indicative of hamartanō (ἁμαρτάνω), meaning "to miss the mark," "to err," "to sin." The perfect tense signifies a past action with continuing results—a state of having never committed sin throughout one's life up to the present moment. This distinguishes it from 1 Jn 1:8, "if we say we have no sin," which refers to the absence of a sin-nature. Here, it refers to the absence of sinful deeds.
• we make him a liar: Greek pseudotēn poioumen auton (ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτόν). Pseudotēs (ψεύστης) means "a liar," and poioumen (from poieō) means "to make" or "to constitute." This is a grave charge. To deny one's own sin directly contradicts God's own declarations about the universal reality of sin (e.g., Ps 14, Rom 3), thereby implying that God's truth is false.
• and his word is not in us: Greek kai ho logos autou ouk estin en hēmin (καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν). "His word" (ho logos autou) refers to God's revelation, His truth, the Gospel message, or even the active Word of Christ. "Not in us" (ouk estin en hēmin) signifies a complete lack of acceptance, understanding, or indwelling of that divine truth within the person's being. It indicates that the convicting, sanctifying, and transforming power of God's Word has not been truly received or taken root. This implies a lack of spiritual reality, a mere outward profession without genuine internal transformation or a disconnect from the foundational truth about humanity's need for redemption.

1 John 1 10 Bonus section

• This verse underpins the absolute necessity of the Gospel and Christ's atonement. If one claims to have never sinned, then the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross for sins becomes unnecessary and meaningless to them.
• It exposes a dangerous form of spiritual arrogance or perhaps a distorted view of sanctification, where some might believe they have transcended the possibility of sin, overlooking remaining imperfections and need for Christ's continuing cleansing work.
• The progression from "no sin" (v.8) to "not sinned" (v.10) is subtle but significant. Verse 8 relates to our being or state, possibly influenced by proto-Gnosticism's spiritual-physical dichotomy, where their "spirit" was supposedly pristine regardless of the "flesh." Verse 10 relates to our doing—specific acts of transgression. John addresses both the underlying condition and overt actions, emphasizing comprehensive self-awareness of sin.

1 John 1 10 Commentary

1 John 1:10 stands as a crucial statement against spiritual self-deception and pride, deepening the warning from verse 8. While verse 8 cautions against claiming a sinless nature, verse 10 confronts the claim of having never committed specific sinful acts. Such a declaration is not a minor error but a profound theological transgression: it "makes God a liar." God, being truth itself (Num 23:19, Titus 1:2), has consistently declared the universal reality of human sin throughout Scripture (e.g., Rom 3:23). To deny one's own commission of sin directly contradicts God's testimony about humanity's fallen state and the very reason Christ came. Furthermore, this denial signifies that "his word is not in us." God's word, particularly the gospel message, centers on redemption from sin through Christ. If an individual denies their personal acts of sin, they essentially invalidate the need for a Savior, demonstrating that the convicting and life-giving truth of God has not genuinely permeated their heart. This highlights that true fellowship with God begins with an honest, humble acknowledgment of our fallenness, opening the door for His grace and the atoning work of Christ (1 Jn 1:9). It's a foundational truth for living out genuine Christian life, recognizing the ongoing need for repentance and reliance on God's forgiveness.