1 John 3:9
What does 1 John 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 John 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 John 3:9 means
Being “begotten of God” means more than adopting a new label; it implants a new life. John says such a person “doeth no sin” and even “cannot sin,” meaning cannot continue in settled, willful sin as a way of life. The reason is internal: “his seed abideth in him”—God’s life, word, and Spirit reside within the believer, creating a deep incompatibility with sin. The new birth gives new desires and power that resist sin’s rule. When believers do sin, they are grieved, repent, and are restored. John’s emphatic language upholds the decisive break conversion makes with sin’s dominion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Anyone who is a child of God does no sin, because he still has God's seed in him; he is not able to be a sinner, because God is his Father.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862every one who hath been begotten of God, sin he doth not, because his seed in him doth remain, and he is not able to sin, because of God he hath been begotten.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whosoever is born of God committeth not sin: for his seed abideth in him. And he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whoever has been begotten ofGod does not practise sin, because his seed abides in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been begotten ofGod.
Context
John applies the contrast from verse 8 by explaining the believer’s new principle of life. The “seed” imagery prepares for the distinction made explicit in verse 10 between God’s children and the devil’s. It also balances verse 6 by grounding moral change in God’s begetting, not mere human effort. The flow will soon pivot to love as the central evidence (verses 10–11), showing that righteousness expresses itself chiefly in brotherly love. Thus, verse 9 is both doctrinal and practical—new birth produces a new pattern that will be visible in relationships.
v.8he 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.
v.9This passage
v.10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
- Matthew 7:18
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
- 1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
- John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
- Titus 1:2
in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
- Acts 4:20
for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
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