1 John 3:4
What does 1 John 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 3:4 means
John defines sin plainly as lawlessness. Sin is not merely a mistake or weakness; it is a willful crossing of God’s revealed boundary, a rejection of His authority. By calling sin “lawlessness,” John unmasks the spirit behind it—independence from God and disregard for His will. This definition corrects any teaching that minimizes moral seriousness or treats wrongdoing as spiritually trivial. It also prepares the ground for the gospel: if sin is rebellion, then forgiveness and transformation require a Savior who addresses both guilt and bondage. Recognizing sin’s nature helps believers refuse excuses and seek God’s cleansing righteousness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Everyone who is a sinner goes against the law, for sin is going against the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Every one who is doing the sin, the lawlessness also he doth do, and the sin is the lawlessness,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity. And sin is iniquity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Every one that practises sin practises also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
Context
After urging purification, John clarifies what must be purified: sin understood as lawlessness. This categorical statement counters false claims that one can know God while treating sin lightly. It sets the stage for verse 5, where Christ’s manifestation aims to remove sins, and for the contrast that follows between abiding in Christ and practicing sin (verses 6–9). The sequence is critical: hope motivates purity (verse 3), sin is serious rebellion (verse 4), and Christ deals decisively with it (verse 5). John is aligning theology and ethics to oppose antinomian tendencies among his readers’ opponents.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 2:9
but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
- 1 John 3:8
he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he kept not; and also for that he asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire thereby,
- Numbers 15:31
Because he hath despised the word of Jehovah, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of Jehovah, so that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken Jehovah, he hath also forsaken you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:21
lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.
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