1 John 3:7 kjv

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 3:7 nkjv

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1 John 3:7 niv

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

1 John 3:7 esv

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

1 John 3:7 nlt

Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 7 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial warning against deception regarding the true nature of Christian life. It firmly states that genuine believers, those who are truly children of God, are characterized by an ongoing practice of righteousness, aligning their lives with God's will and moral character. This active, consistent pursuit of right living is the tangible evidence and reflection of their righteous standing, which itself is imputed by faith in Christ. The standard and ultimate example for this righteousness is Christ Himself, indicating that a believer's conduct should mirror His blameless life and perfect obedience.

1 John 3 7 Context

This verse stands as a crucial summary of the preceding verses and an introduction to the profound declaration about children of God in the verses that follow. John, having established in 1 John 2:29 that "everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him," now issues a stern warning against those who might seek to negate or diminish this foundational truth. The immediate context of 1 John chapter 3 introduces the identity and nature of "children of God" (1 Jn 3:1-2), emphasizing the glorious future they have (being like Christ) and the present implication of their divine adoption (purifying themselves as He is pure, 1 Jn 3:3). The warning in 1 John 3:7 directly addresses potential antinomian (anti-law) or gnostic tendencies within the early Christian community, where some might have claimed spiritual enlightenment or a special relationship with God while neglecting moral conduct. These false teachings suggested that one's standing with God was independent of one's actions, promoting a disjunction between faith and lifestyle. John counteracts this by emphasizing that a life of active righteousness is not merely an optional addition but an inherent mark of a genuine believer, distinguishing them from those who "practice sin" (1 Jn 3:4, 8) and are "of the devil."

1 John 3 7 Word analysis

• Little children (Teknia, Τεκνία): This term of endearment and affection ("My dear children" or "my beloved children") reflects John's pastoral care and spiritual fatherhood for his audience. It implies a loving relationship but also authority. It's used to underscore the importance of the warning that follows, given the potential vulnerability of those addressed.
• Let no one deceive you (Mēdeis planēsē hymas, μηδεὶς πλανάτω ὑμᾶς): A strong prohibition and urgent warning. The verb planēsē (from planao) means "to lead astray," "to deceive," "to wander," or "to err." This directly implies the presence of false teachers or misleading doctrines that were actively promoting a contrary message, suggesting that righteous living was not essential. The phrase serves as a protective command.
• he who practices righteousness (ho poiōn tēn dikaiosynēn, ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην):
  • practices (poiōn, ποιῶν): Present active participle of poieō, meaning "to do," "to make," "to perform." The present tense signifies continuous, habitual, or characteristic action, not a single perfect act. It implies a lifestyle or ongoing commitment rather than occasional good deeds. It denotes that doing righteousness is an active, chosen mode of life.
  • righteousness (dikaiosynēn, δικαιοσύνην): In a biblical sense, it refers to right conduct and right relationship with God, conforming to God's will and moral character. It is not self-righteousness, but rather a pursuit of holiness, justice, and integrity in alignment with divine standards. It is a reflection of God's own character.
• is righteous (dikaios estin, δίκαιός ἐστιν):
  • is (estin, ἐστιν): The verb "to be." It indicates a state of being, an identity. This clause links the continuous action of doing righteousness with the state of being righteous. It shows that consistent righteous practice is evidence of an internal state of being justified and living according to God's ways.
  • righteous (dikaios, δίκαιος): This describes a person who is upright, just, and conforming to divine law. Here, it refers to both a relational standing before God (declared righteous by grace through faith) and a practical, observable character trait that flows from that standing. It's a fruit of salvation, not the cause of it.
• just as He is righteous (kathōs ekeinos dikaios estin, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος δίκαιός ἐστιν):
  • just as (kathōs, καθώς): A comparative particle indicating conformity or likeness, establishing a pattern or standard.
  • He (ekeinos, ἐκεῖνος): Refers to Jesus Christ, as consistently in John's writings when referring to "Him" or "He" in this manner (e.g., 1 Jn 3:3 "just as He is pure"). Christ is the supreme embodiment of righteousness, perfect and sinless. His righteousness sets the ultimate, unchanging standard for the believer's pursuit. It highlights the believer's aspiration to reflect Christ's character, indicating transformation and conformity rather than a claim of sinless perfection.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Little children, let no one deceive you": This phrase establishes the affectionate yet authoritative tone of John and immediately identifies the primary concern: the danger of false teaching. It sets up a contrast between truth (righteous living) and error (deception regarding righteous living).
• "he who practices righteousness is righteous": This is the core affirmation. It links conduct directly to identity. It challenges any teaching that separates moral living from genuine salvation or divine sonship. The continuous nature of "practices" signifies that true righteousness is not merely intellectual assent but an active, observable pattern of life. It implies that inner transformation inevitably manifests in outer conduct.
• "just as He is righteous": This sets the divine benchmark. Christ's perfect righteousness is the model and the source of the believer's transformed life. It means that the righteousness believers "do" is not humanly devised or earned, but a participation in the very nature of Christ, empowered by His Spirit, and striving to reflect His perfect moral purity.

1 John 3 7 Bonus section

The concept of "practicing righteousness" contrasts sharply with "practicing sin" mentioned in 1 John 3:4 and 3:8. John posits these as two distinct spiritual orientations. Those born of God do not habitually sin; rather, their default mode and pursuit is righteousness, even amidst imperfections. Those "of the devil" are characterized by continuous sinful behavior, aligning with the devil's nature. This highlights that a person's life trajectory, their dominant pattern of behavior, serves as a crucial indicator of their spiritual parentage. John is not suggesting sinless perfection in this earthly life, but rather a fundamental break with the dominion of sin, evidenced by an earnest and continuous striving for righteousness as Christ is righteous. The Spirit's work within believers creates a new nature that desires and pursues righteousness.

1 John 3 7 Commentary

1 John 3:7 is a critical verse within John's broader argument against false teachers who promoted an understanding of faith detached from moral responsibility. John firmly establishes that righteous living is an indispensable evidence of one's regeneration and sonship in God. This is not about earning salvation through works, but about demonstrating the reality of a transformed heart. The "practice" of righteousness implies a habitual, ongoing pursuit of doing what is right in God's eyes, fueled by the indwelling Spirit, and marked by repentance when failures occur. This practice is both an internal orientation and an external manifestation. Christ Himself is the standard; our righteousness is a reflection of His, by grace and through obedience. Thus, anyone claiming to be God's child while consistently living in unrighteousness is deceiving themselves or being deceived. The truth lies in the undeniable connection between genuine faith and a life that increasingly mirrors the righteousness of Christ.