NT Greek: Does 1 John 3:9 teach that believers cannot sin? (Concept breakdown)

Does 1 John 3:9 teach that believers do not sin?
The answer might seem obvious, but by the way many translation render this verse, such as the NIV...
"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God."
... You could be led to believe that this verse teaches believers cannot sin.
Even many preachers misunderstand the way the present tense of this verse is used in Greek and end up poorly exegeting the text!
So in this video I walk through 3 clues in the text to help us understand Johns argument.

Follow me:

00:00 Introduction
00:49 English Translations
02:52 Typical miss-understanding
05:37 First point: Semantic Value
10:07 Second point: Context
14:40 Third point: Meaning of the Verb

[JosiahTheSiah]

I remember talking about this in the BMA cohort a few months back, and the whole class was struggling with how to exactly interpret it, given the fact (which you point out) that John assumes that believers will commit sins at some point. I agree with the "nomic" sentiment.

Thanks for addressing this Darryl! And for explaining in depth.

[krisjustin]

Very enlightening! I never thought this very could be translated as practicing sin and now your explanation of John’s declaration of sin being contrary to the new nature of a believer makes good sense! Dr. Bob Wilkin has a somewhat similar explanation of this greek verb.

[Dougeb]

You've given me new insight on this passage. I used to understand it in the "habitual sin" vein. Thanks so much! Great stuff!

[nathanielotto]

Thank you for doing this video! Interestingly, this is the passage that got me interested in learning Greek.

[sethtbaguley]

Lovely job Darryl! I appreciate you going through the passage and demonstrating how Greek can be used in exegesis. I wrote on this recently and the outcome I had was pretty much the same as yours, although contextually my emphasis focused onto what seems to be the broader - and repeated - theme of sin, which is hating brother or sister. i.e. the sin John really doesn't like is hatred within the family of God. This all being tied to having an enacted and "alive" confessional accuracy concerning Christ (1 John 4:9-21).

Excited to be able to send this to friends looking for good examples of carrying out exegesis. 👌

[ChadWSmith]

When I was in high school, I discussed this exact passage with a friend of mine. We were discussing it in the context of can believers lose their salvation, a topic on which we did not agree.
I won't get into the entire conversation, nor will I share the exact thought we had at the time, but before I hung up the phone, I told my friend "I think we just invented a new cult." It is indeed a difficult to understand passage - at least in English.

[MrDilley]

The way I have been using to understand verses that seem to contradict other verses on the same subject like (sin/sinning) is to read all the related scriptures that are the same subject of (sin/sinning) and understand it without it contradicting other subject scriptures. Because if we think the subject discussed contradicts itself then we know we're not understanding it correctly.

[TrustNJesusChrist]

Probably one of thee most difficult passages for Christians to read in the Bible. Especially if we take the passage to mean, keep on sinning or sinning as a habit. And as a young Christian, it can be a stumbling block as a "pet sin" might make someone doubt they are even a follower of Jesus. You want to please God out of Love and not out of obligation, and you struggle, but at the same time the flesh is always weak. You begin to wonder if you actually have given your heart to Jesus, and had the beginning of regeneration.

[bradleymcdonald]

He would of never said “I say these things so that your joy will be full”

If he was saying a Christian is sinless

[jamesbranscomb]

Brother Darryl,

Thank you for this very informative video. Your videos have been a great blessing to me in helping me to acquire a better understanding of both the semantic verbal aspect and pragmatic contextual view of Greek Grammar.

I am a pastor and a Greek enthusiast, so let me share what I believe are a few insights into 1 John 3:9.

But first, let me say that our theological views, combined with our knowledge of Greek Grammar, will greatly influence how we translate 1 John 3:9 and other similar verses.

Therefore, if we believe that our salvation is stative rather than progressive, we will translate this verse according to that view. But, if we believe that our salvation is progressive (to include justification, sanctification, glorification and the birthing process of the "born again" experience) we might translate this Scripture accordingly. I hold to this latter view.

Here's my reworking of the KJV with some additional comments.

1 John 3:9
Anyone who is being born of God does not practice sin; For his seed remains in him: and he cannot practice sin because he is being born of God.

(I have not found this progressive translation of the word γενναω in any version of the Scriptures. Could the translator's theologies be a part of the problematic issue)?

BEING BORN OF GOD
God's intention is to take believers from the starting line of our salvation to the finish line so that we might qualify for the Crown of Life and the right to rule and reign with Christ forever.

This journey is a process by which God is continually birthing His Son in us and at the same time He is progressively creating (birthing) us into the image of His Son. This is a double creative work of God's Grace.

Paul writes in Galatians 4:9 "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you".

In this passage we can see that God is progressively creating His Son in these believers through Paul's travailing intercessions, teachings and the work of the Holy Spirit. However, these Christians were hindering God's work of continuing saving Grace that would eventually lead them to Spiritual maturity.

In Ephesians 2:8-10 Paul writes, "For by grace you are being saved through faith...for we are His workmanship being created in Christ Jesus unto good works...". And in 2 Cor. 4:18 Paul writes, "But we all with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Notice the progressive elements of 2 Cor. 4:18 as the writer highlights the believer's relationship to the Glory of God: "...being changed from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

In this Scripture the Holy Spirit is highlighting the progressive changes in the life of the believer as God takes him from the starting line of Glory to the finish line of Glory. We do not have to wait until we die and go to Heaven to experience the Glory of God.

As we wait in the Presence of God beholding His Face as in a mirror, His Glory is reflected back to us and we are, therefore, progressively changed from glory to glory until we reach the finish line of glory. And, it is only at the finish line that we can qualify for the Crown of Life.

We can see from these verses God's progressive double work of creation in the life of the believer. He is progressively creating His Son in us and at the same time He is progressively creating us into the into the image of His Son.

If we practice sin, however, it will hinder this birthing process keeping us from the finish line and the right to rule and reign with Christ forever.

1 John 3:9 is not teaching us that we are incapable of sinning or even in our inability to continue to practice sin, (or that's okay to sin - but only a little). It is teaching us that sin will keep us from obtaining spiritual maturity and the right to the Crown of Life.

Sin can also lead us back into the depths of iniquity to the point of even losing our salvation. (I was once a Calvinist, but God has shown me grace and mercy in that I have repented of believing and teaching this false doctrine of unconditional eternal security).

We must not continue to practice sin - there are consequences for doing so. Yes, there is 1 John 1:9 for when we do sin. But, shall we continue in sin that grace might abound? Let it never be.

A DEEPER LOOK INTO 1 JOHN 3:9
The word "born" (γενναω) is used twice in verse 3:9. The first use of the word is a Perfect, Passive Participle and the second use of the verb is a Perfect, Passive, Indicative. Therefore, by implementing the semantic imperfective aspect and pragmatic contextual rules of Greek Grammar, I would translate the Perfect Tense as being continuous in action. (Whether or not one sees the lexeme "born" as being stative or progressive combined with our theological pragmatic contextual values would determine how this verse should be translated).

The Perfect Tense is also telling us to take a closer look: examine the details; this is very important; don't miss this!

So, to reaffirm, I would translate this verse in view of the belief that includes the overall progressive work of the believer's salvation. And, by applying both Greek and my theological progressive views to this verse my "pragmatic contextual" beliefs would confirm and not negatively override a progressive translation of "γενναω". (I call the negative, "pragmatic contextual" unbelief).

We are BEING born of God.

I WAS saved at the age of 8; I AM progressively continuing in that salvation today with the HOPE of qualifying for the Crown of Life in the future. Amen!

THE CROWN OF LIFE
The Crown of Life is the Martyrs Crown. The early Church taught that there were two kinds of martyrs: (1) The red martyrs and (2) the white martyrs.

The red martyrs were killed for the cause of Christ and their blood was shed. The white martyrs were the Christian's who completely died to self so that Christ might be completely formed within and thus, accordingly, fully live His Life in and through them.

And, some Christian's became both kinds of martyrs so that they might obtain a better resurrection.

So, in review, God is progressively creating His Son in us and at the same time creating us into the image of His Son so that we might reach Spiritual maturity, gain the Crown of Life and thus rule and reign with Christ throughout all eternity. But, the unrepentant practice of sin will hinder this process and rob us from entering into our eternal destiny.

James 1:12 KJV
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

How much do we love God? How much do we love others? These are two major keys to obtaining the Crown of Life!

We are to progressively grow in love until WE BECOME LOVE!

We will then, have inherited the Crown of Life and at the end of our earthly journey, be given the right to step into our eternal destiny.

[NewYorkCityStreetPreachers]

I like the background lights on the bookshelf. And the ceiling lights.

What if there were Hebrew-Greek diagrams or posters upon the wall, on the right hand side? Or even paintings? I think this would increase the visual aesthetic and complement the bookshelf really well, as well as the topics that you introduce to us. What do you think?

Love your channel.

[subq]

Just a heads up: your title has John but you are referring to 1 John

[ourendtimewalk]

Hello! May I ask you what you think of the Wuest extended translation? I do not understand greek, and it seems a very interesting ressource to use, for me. Tnx a lot! :)

[mmneander]

Great lesson ! Thank you. Blessings !

[turinhurintuorhuor]

To those commenting below who are advocating loss of salvation and to those struggling with losing Salvation:

John is simply saying that the reason you sin as a Believer is because in those moments you don't know Him or see Him. This is because you aren't abiding in Him continuously all the time. These are regarded as "moments", hence the present tense. If you do wind up sinning you have an advocate named Jesus on your behalf.

Secondly, the commands of God are told in chapter 5 that being only one: to Believe in Christ.

Thirdly, you can't compare the abide in me passage in John with the abide usage in 1 John because John is a conversation happening before the Cross and Forgiveness of Sin and 1 John is in regards to post Resurrection and even Pentecost after Sin has been dealt with.

[jsbc]

I have heard this teaching before and concur 100%. The translators do no justice to this passage . There is also the New Nature view or interpretation that says there is no sin In Christ therefore the believers New Nature never sins. While this is true because of our Union with Christ apparently John wasn’t alluding to this here in 1 John 3.

[GizmoFromPizmo]

Having been thrown out of multiple churches (2, at least) over this doctrine, I think I know what I'm talking about. I've done my homework.

An alcoholic knows that he can't "sin" a little bit and be okay. Most church people haven't hit bottom and so they read the bible very differently from folks who have. Most church people are convinced that they sin with every breath they take and so it is indeed IMPOSSIBLE not to sin (or they'd have to stop breathing). But this is an attitude of condemnation - that everything is a sin and so you have to keep sinning until you die. Alcoholics don't look at life like that.

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." - John 8:34. The NIV used to say, "I tell you the truth, Everyone who sins is the slave of sin." (I don't know what the NIV says today because it keeps changing, so I stopped reading it.) But the meaning is the same. Sin is an addiction - like alcoholism. Not every sin is everybody's sin. Murder is a sin but I don't know a lot of people addicted to murder. Lying is a sin and I've known several people who can't stop lying. Bottom line, Jesus and the apostles understood sin to be an addiction.

No addict can just engage in a little bit of their addiction. That's called "falling off the wagon". With that definition in mind then, 1 John 3 comes into clear focus.

1 John 3:5 - And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Until you've hit rock bottom, you don't know what a breath of fresh air that verse is. Until you're okay with sinning a little bit all the time, you cannot appreciate the good news of that proclamation. You can indeed stop destroying your life (and the lives of those around you) with your sin of choice. God has made a way to save us from our addiction.

I could write a book on this subject because I've gone around the block with my betters so many times over this. Suffice to say that if you've never connected with the fact that your sin is an addiction, then you cannot use this aspect of the gospel. Jesus came to call SINNERS to repentance. If your sin isn't such a big deal then you cannot repent of it. If you cannot repent then you cannot be saved and you will go through your life being okay with denying your absolute need for the One who saves to the uttermost.

Hebrews 7:25 - Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Jesus is the Savior and His definition of sin is not your definition of sin. Until we align our definition with His, we will not be able to grasp the height, depth, and breadth of His salvation. Confession (i.e. saying the same thing as God) is made unto salvation. Until you connect with God's definitions, you can never make confession (say the same thing) unto salvation.

[brandonful]

I’m going to be honest obviously because I’m not going to lie to you. I get the premise of your video but it almost had a cafeene fueled vibe to it. There was so much said and so much about grammar and certain words which I know is important but my mind was spinning at this video and I didn’t get much from it. I’m not sure if the audience felt the same way but I did. In a nut shell I feal like you were trying to say is that our new spirit in Christ is redeemed and that he remains in you so you cannot sin in spirit! However the present flesh that our spirit dwells in still is sinning and wants to sin. Our spirit wars against the flesh and our flesh wars against the spirit. But the redeemed part that really counts, ….. our spirit cannot sin because we remain in Christ but we do sin in the flesh. Much love to you brother I sure hope I did not come across as rude that is not my intention I’m just giving you honest feedback.

[jamesvan]

the niv version is corrupt and says differently from the kjv. though they sound similar, the niv changes the word. its subtle, but the word the niv uses sounds like its saying that "if we are saved, we will no longer want to sin or sin period." but the actual verse says that "anyone born of god is not guilty of sin." the flesh will still sin (though we should try our best to avoid it as much as possible.) but the spirit creature, born of god, cannot sin itself.

[BrotherDuncanGM]

I was born once of flesh and blood. (John 3:6)
Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50, John 3:3)
My flesh serves the law of sin. (Romans 7:25)
I was born again of the Spirit, of God. (John 3:6, John 3:7, John 3:8, 1 Peter 1:23)
He who is born of the Spirit inherits the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
In my mind I serve the law of God, the law of faith. (Romans 7:25, Romans 7:22)

He who is born of God does not commit sin, and cannot sin, and sins not because he is born of God, and his seed remains in him. (1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18)

Our outward man indeed shall perish, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Our inward man delights in the law of God, our outward man serves the law of sin in our members.