1 John 1:8 kjv

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

1 John 1:8 nkjv

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

1 John 1:8 niv

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 esv

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

1 John 1:8 nlt

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

1 John 1 verses

1 John 1 8 Meaning

The Apostle John declares a profound truth about the human condition and our relationship with God. If any person claims to be without sin – meaning the indwelling principle or nature of sin, not just individual acts – they are engaging in self-deception. Such a claim demonstrates a fundamental dishonesty about oneself and denies the very reality of God's truth, which includes the biblical understanding of humanity's fallen state. To say "we have no sin" is to contradict divine revelation and disconnect oneself from true spiritual understanding.

1 John 1 8 Context

First John chapter 1 establishes the very foundations of Christian fellowship, both with God and with fellow believers. Verses 5-7 introduce God's nature as light and call believers to "walk in the light," which signifies a life lived in truth and transparency, reflecting God's character. In this context, verse 8 acts as a crucial negative premise: a direct challenge to anyone claiming to live without the presence or reality of sin within themselves. It anticipates and counters potential objections or false teachings, particularly those emerging from proto-Gnostic influences that claimed spiritual enlightenment rendered one impervious to sin or that matter was inherently evil while spirit was pure, thus making sin an insignificant concern. This denial of sin's reality, often linked to spiritual arrogance or moral permissiveness, would directly undermine the necessity of Christ's atoning sacrifice and the very concept of fellowship with a holy God. Therefore, 1 John 1:8 sets the stage for the essential declaration in 1 John 1:9 regarding the confession of sins and God's faithfulness to forgive.

1 John 1 8 Word analysis

• If we say: (ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, ean eipōmen) This uses a conditional particle and a present subjunctive verb. It suggests a hypothetical or potential claim being made by a certain group or even by genuine believers who might err. It refers to an outward assertion or declaration, indicating a deliberate denial rather than mere ignorance.
• that we have no sin: (ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, hamartian ouk echomen)
  • sin: (ἁμαρτία, hamartia - singular noun) This is crucial. It refers not merely to individual sinful acts (sins plural, which is used in 1:9), but to the inherent principle, power, or state of sinfulness that indwells humanity. It points to the fallen nature. To claim "no sin" is to deny the pervasive reality of inherited corruption that marks all humanity. "Ouk" is a strong negation, emphasizing absolute denial.
  • have: (ἔχομεν, echomen) The present tense signifies a continuous state or possession. It means "to possess," "to hold," or "to have present within." Thus, to claim "we have no sin" is to assert that the very principle of sin is absent from one's being.
• we deceive ourselves: (ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν, heautous planōmen)
  • deceive: (πλανῶμεν, planōmen) This verb means "to mislead," "to cause to wander," "to err," or "to go astray." In this context, it is active voice, indicating self-deception. Those who make this claim are not just mistaken; they are actively deluding themselves. They are causing their own minds to wander from truth into error.
• and the truth is not in us: (καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν, kai hē alētheia ouk estin en hēmin)
  • truth: (ἀλήθεια, alētheia) Refers to divine reality, integrity, veracity, and God's self-revelation. It encompasses God's nature, His word, and ultimately, Christ Himself (Jn 14:6). If someone denies their own sin, they fundamentally reject God's objective reality about human nature and the necessity of His redemption.
  • is not in us: (οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν, ouk estin en hēmin) The strong negation "ouk" combined with "estin" (is) emphasizes the complete absence. "In us" implies an internal state or possession, suggesting that divine truth is not residing within them, shaping their understanding or informing their consciousness. This contrasts sharply with God desiring "truth in the inward parts" (Ps 51:6).

Words-group analysis:

• "If we say... we deceive ourselves...": This highlights the dangerous connection between outward profession and inward reality. A spoken claim, rooted in self-deception, reveals an internal spiritual disconnect. It implies that verbal assertion alone, especially when false, creates a perilous internal state.
• "...we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us": This phrase details the direct, severe consequences of denying the reality of indwelling sin. Self-deception about one's moral state leads directly to an absence of divine truth within, meaning a spiritual blindness to fundamental realities of God's character and humanity's need for grace. The two consequences are inextricably linked.

1 John 1 8 Bonus section

This verse (1:8) and verse 10 ("If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us") address distinct yet related aspects of sin. Verse 8, with hamartia (singular noun), speaks of the principle or presence of sin (the fallen nature). Verse 10, with hēmartēkamen (perfect tense verb), speaks of the commission of actual sinful acts. One who denies having sin (1:8) is necessarily claiming not to have sinned (1:10), for a nature devoid of sin would produce no sinful acts. John intentionally builds this case: the denial of the sinful nature (1:8) directly leads to making God a liar about His testimony regarding human sinfulness and His provision for it through Christ. It implicitly defends the doctrine of human depravity and emphasizes that honest recognition of one's ongoing struggle with sin is essential for genuine spiritual growth and maintaining true fellowship with God and fellow believers.

1 John 1 8 Commentary

First John 1:8 is a stark warning against spiritual hubris and self-deception. It lays bare the reality of humanity's sinful condition, emphasizing that sin is not merely a collection of wrong acts, but an inherent state or principle within us. To claim "no sin" is to contradict divine revelation, making God out to be a liar (as stated in the subsequent 1 Jn 1:10) and denying the very need for Jesus Christ's atoning work. Such a stance is antithetical to fellowship with a holy God who is light, and it prevents an honest acknowledgment necessary for receiving forgiveness. This verse dismantles any illusion of self-righteousness, directing believers towards humble confession as the only pathway to reconciliation and true fellowship (1 Jn 1:9). Practically, this verse calls believers to continuous self-examination and to approach God with honesty about their persistent struggle with sin, rather than trying to minimize or excuse it.