1 John 1:7
What does 1 John 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 1:7 means
Walking “in the light,” aligned with God’s revealed character, results in two rich blessings. First, believers enjoy authentic fellowship with one another; shared life with God creates real unity. Second, “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Cleansing is ongoing and comprehensive, grounded in Jesus’ sacrificial death. Our hope is not in our flawless performance but in His atoning work, which continuously purifies those who live openly before God. The standard is “as he is in the light”—God Himself sets the pattern. This verse balances the ethical call to walk rightly with the gracious assurance that Christ’s work covers the sins of those who live in His light.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if we are walking in the light, as he is in the light, we are all united with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son makes us clean from all sin.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if in the light we may walk, as He is in the light--we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son doth cleanse us from every sin;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another: And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Context
Following the warning of verse 6, John now states the positive reality for those whose lives are oriented to God’s light. Fellowship and cleansing go together; the community formed by truth is sustained by Christ’s atonement. This prepares for verses 8–10, which address our ongoing struggle with sin. John will deny any claim to sinlessness, then show the right response—confession and trust in God’s faithful, just forgiveness—before warning again about the danger of denying sin.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 1:7
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
- Psalms 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.
- 2 John 1:4
I rejoice greatly that I have foundcertainof thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.
- 3 John 1:4
Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
- 1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- 1 John 1:3
that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:
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