Devine Scripture

1 John 1:8

What does 1 John 1:8 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 1:8 means

To claim we have no sin is self-deception and reveals a lack of God’s truth within. John confronts any teaching or impulse that denies the ongoing presence of sin in believers. The issue is not whether sin exists but whether we acknowledge it. Honest recognition of sin is a mark of light-walkers, not a failure of faith. Pretending to be sinless severs us from reality and from the very grace we need. John’s straightforward diagnosis cuts through spiritual pride and invites humility, preparing the way for the promise of cleansing that depends on God’s character, not on our imagined perfection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If we say that we have no sin, we are false to ourselves and there is nothing true in us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

if we may say--`we have not sin,' ourselves we lead astray, and the truth is not in us;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

After describing walking in the light and Christ’s cleansing, John turns to a false claim common in his context: denying indwelling sin. This error contradicts the ethical seriousness of God’s light and undermines reliance on Jesus’ blood. Verse 9 will supply the alternative—confession met by God’s faithful and righteous forgiveness. Then verse 10 will intensify the warning by showing that denial of sin not only deceives us but also dishonors God’s own testimony.

v.7but 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.

v.8This passage

v.9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 15:14

    What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

  • 3 John 1:3

    For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

  • Isaiah 53:6

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

  • 1 Kings 8:46

    If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto the land of the enemy, far off or near;

  • 1 John 3:5

    And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin.

  • 2 John 1:2

    for the truth’s sake which abideth in us, and it shall be with us for ever:

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