1 John 3:8 kjv

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 nkjv

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 niv

The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

1 John 3:8 esv

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 nlt

But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 8 Meaning

This verse defines a clear distinction in spiritual allegiance and lineage. It asserts that anyone who habitually practices sin aligns with the devil, as sin is the devil's inherent nature and has been so from the very beginning. Crucially, the verse reveals the primary purpose of Jesus Christ's manifestation as the Son of God: to dismantle and nullify the effects and activities of the devil, thereby demonstrating divine victory over sin and evil.

1 John 3 8 Context

First John chapter 3, along with the entire epistle, emphasizes the marks of true fellowship with God and the evidence of spiritual regeneration. John writes to counter specific erroneous teachings (likely proto-Gnosticism) that denied the true humanity of Christ (Docetism) and promoted moral permissiveness (antinomianism), claiming that knowledge (gnosis) absolved one from the need to obey moral laws. In this chapter, John contrasts the "children of God" with the "children of the devil," defining each group by their characteristic actions: practicing righteousness for the former and practicing sin for the latter. Verse 8, specifically, underlines the utter incompatibility between a lifestyle of sin and a claim to divine parentage, clearly stating that sin originates with the devil and Christ came precisely to undo the devil's influence and work in the world. This sets up a profound spiritual and ethical dichotomy for the original audience, urging them to discern truth through moral conduct.

1 John 3 8 Word analysis

• He that committeth sin (ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, poiōn tēn hamartian):
  • ποιῶν (poiōn): A present participle, indicating continuous, habitual, or characteristic action, not an isolated lapse. It suggests a lifestyle or a practice of sin.
  • τὴν ἁμαρτίαν (tēn hamartian): "The sin," pointing to a definitive object, signifying that sin is what they engage in or make their occupation.
  • Significance: This is not about sinless perfection, but about one's nature and habitual inclination. A true believer might stumble, but their life is not characterized by a consistent practice of sin.
• is of the devil (ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστίν, ek tou diabolou estin):
  • ἐκ (ek): "From" or "out of," denoting origin, source, or parentage.
  • διαβόλου (diabolou): Genitive of διάβολος (diabolos), meaning "slanderer" or "accuser." This term is applied to Satan, God's ultimate adversary.
  • Significance: This implies spiritual parentage or belonging. To continually practice sin reveals that one's spiritual source and allegiance are from the devil. It speaks to a deep connection of nature and purpose.
• for the devil (ὅτι ὁ διάβολος, hoti ho diabolos):
  • ὅτι (hoti): "Because" or "for," introducing the reason for the previous statement.
  • ὁ διάβολος (ho diabolos): "The slanderer," specifically referring to Satan.
  • Significance: Establishes the devil as the primordial and ultimate source of sin. His essence is rooted in rebellion and opposition to God.
• sinneth from the beginning (ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ἁμαρτάνει, ap’ archēs hamartanei):
  • ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς (ap’ archēs): "From the beginning." This points to the devil's initial rebellion, which occurred prior to the human fall in Eden, or at the very commencement of his existence as a fallen being.
  • ἁμαρτάνει (hamartanei): Present tense, indicating continuous, unceasing action. The devil's very nature and activity are defined by sin.
  • Significance: Unlike humans, who fell into sin, sin is an intrinsic, unceasing characteristic of the devil. He did not become righteous then sinned, but his nature from his corrupted beginning is sin.
• For this purpose (Εἰς τοῦτο, Eis touto):
  • Εἰς (Eis): "Into" or "unto," denoting purpose, aim, or result.
  • τοῦτο (touto): "This," pointing directly to the specific goal about to be stated.
  • Significance: Highlights the definitive, predetermined reason for Christ's incarnation. His arrival was not accidental but divinely ordained with a specific mission against evil.
• the Son of God (ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, ho Huios tou Theou):
  • Υἱὸς (Huios): "Son," denoting familial relationship and shared nature.
  • Θεοῦ (Theou): "Of God."
  • Significance: Emphasizes Christ's divine nature, co-equality with God, and ultimate authority, which are necessary prerequisites to defeat such a powerful spiritual enemy.
• was manifested (ἐφανερώθη, ephanerōthē):
  • ἐφανερώθη (ephanerōthē): Aorist passive indicative of φανερόω (phaneroō), "to make visible," "to reveal," "to bring to light." It refers to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, His coming in the flesh.
  • Significance: Christ's physical appearance in the world was not just for teaching or example, but to actively confront and overthrow the spiritual powers of darkness. It marks a decisive historical event.
• that he might destroy (ἵνα λύσῃ, hina lysē):
  • ἵνα (hina): "In order that," expressing purpose.
  • λύσῃ (lysē): Aorist active subjunctive of λύω (lyō), meaning "to loose," "untie," "break up," "demolish," "dissolve," "annul," "make void," or "bring to nought."
  • Significance: The verb choice indicates a complete undoing or dismantling of the devil's work, not merely injuring or lessening its impact. It signifies rendering his works powerless or ineffective.
• the works of the devil (τὰ ἔργα τοῦ διαβόλου, ta erga tou diabolou):
  • τὰ ἔργα (ta erga): "The works," referring to all the actions, consequences, and systems orchestrated or empowered by the devil.
  • Significance: This encompasses not just individual sinful acts but the entire range of effects caused by the devil's rebellion and influence: death, deception, spiritual bondage, oppression, sickness, and all forms of moral and spiritual evil that destroy God's creation and image.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• He that committeth sin is of the devil: This phrase draws a sharp dividing line, linking a lifestyle of consistent sin to spiritual parentage from the devil. It reveals that such behavior is not merely a mistake but indicates a fundamental allegiance or origin.
• for the devil sinneth from the beginning: This provides the theological justification for the prior statement. The devil is characterized by ceaseless sin from his initial rebellion, making him the archetype and origin of sin. His nature is sin, and he continually perpetrates it.
• For this purpose the Son of God was manifested: This marks a powerful pivot from diagnosis to divine intervention. It states the sovereign, pre-determined reason for Christ's incarnation, signifying that His earthly advent was primarily a strategic, decisive act in a cosmic spiritual battle.
• that he might destroy the works of the devil: This climactic clause declares the profound scope and objective of Christ's mission. "Destroy" (λύσῃ) means to dissolve or nullify, emphasizing that Jesus came not just to alleviate symptoms of sin, but to utterly dismantle the entire edifice and destructive consequences of evil orchestrated by the devil. His mission was to undo all that the devil has brought into existence and empowered.

1 John 3 8 Bonus section

The concept of "works of the devil" (τὰ ἔργα τοῦ διαβόλου) extends beyond individual acts of immorality to encompass all the destructive consequences and systems initiated and sustained by sin. This includes spiritual death, disease, fear, deception, bondage, hatred, division, and all forms of cosmic evil that oppose God's design. Christ's mission, therefore, is not limited to forgiveness of individual sins, but is a comprehensive assault on the entirety of the devil's kingdom and influence. This "destruction" is a process that began with His manifestation, culminates at His second coming, and is progressively realized in the lives of believers who, empowered by His Spirit, walk in righteousness and overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. The present tense of the Greek verb for "sinneth" in relation to the devil (ἁμαρτάνει) conveys his unceasing nature as an adversary, making Christ's past "manifestation" and its purposeful "destroying" action (λύσῃ - aorist, emphasizing a complete action) all the more potent and definitive.

1 John 3 8 Commentary

First John 3:8 profoundly delineates spiritual identities based on ethical practice and declares the ultimate purpose of Christ's incarnation. It states that persistent sin identifies one with the devil, who has been consistently sinning from eternity's inception. This is a crucial clarification, emphasizing that while believers may stumble (1 Jn 1:9), a life characterized by sin reflects a different spiritual parentage, a lineage rooted in rebellion. The verse then presents the core mission of the Son of God: He became flesh not merely to teach or heal, but to decisively dismantle and nullify the "works of the devil"—the pervasive effects of sin, deception, death, and bondage that spring from the evil one. This highlights Christ's triumphant authority and active redemptive work, ensuring that His kingdom overcomes and obliterates the kingdom of darkness. This serves as both a warning against antinomianism and a foundational assurance of Christ's victory.

Examples for practical usage:

• A Christian struggling with a persistent sin habit might re-examine their spiritual life, acknowledging that true repentance involves a shift away from that "practice" of sin.
• Understanding Christ's purpose empowers believers to confront demonic oppression or spiritual strongholds, knowing that the Son of God has already come to "destroy" such works.