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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 John 1:9 - 1:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Confess (ὁμολογῶμεν)
From ὁμός, one and the same, and λέγω, to say. Hence, primarily, to say the same thing as another, and, therefore, to admit the truth of an accusation. Compare Psa 51:4. The exact phrase, ὁμολογεῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας confess the sins, does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. Compare ἐξομολογεῖσθαι ἁμαρτίας (παραπτώματα) Mat 3:6; Mar 1:5; Jam 5:16. See on Mat 3:6; see on Mat 11:25; see on Luk 22:6; see on Act 19:18; see on Jam 5:16.
Sins
Note the plural, as compared with the singular, sin, in the previous verse. See note. The plural indicates that the confession is to be specific as well as general. Augustine's words are exactly to the point, but his play upon pardon and confess cannot be reproduced in English. “Vis ut ille ignoscat? Tu agnosce.” Do you wish Him to forgive? Do you confess.
Faithful (πιστός)
True to His own nature and promises; keeping faith with Himself and with man. The word is applied to God as fulfilling His own promises (Heb 10:23; Heb 11:11); as fulfilling the purpose for which He has called men (1Th 5:24; 1Co 1:9); as responding with guardianship to the trust reposed in Him by men (1Co 10:13; 1Pe 4:19). “He abideth faithful. He cannot deny Himself” (2Ti 2:13). The same term is applied to Christ (2Th 3:3; Heb 3:2; Heb 2:17). God's faithfulness is here spoken of not only as essential to His own being, but as faithfulness toward us; “fidelity to that nature of truth and light, related to His own essence, which rules in us as far as we confess our sins” (Ebrard). The essence of the message of life is fellowship with God and with His children (1Jo 1:3). God is light (1Jo 1:5). Walking in the light we have fellowship, and the blood of Jesus is constantly applied to cleanse us from sin, which is darkness and which interrupts fellowship. If we walk in darkness we do not the truth. If we deny our sin the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, “God, by whom we were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1Co 1:9) to forgive our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and thus to restore and maintain the interrupted fellowship.
Just (δίκαιος)
Rev., righteous. From δίκη right. The term is applied both to God and to Christ. See Rev 16:5; Joh 17:25; 1Jo 2:1; 1Jo 3:7; 1Pe 3:18. The two words, faithful and righteous, imply each other. They unite in a true conception of God's character. God, who is absolute rightness, must be faithful to His own nature, and His righteous dealing with men who partake of that nature and walk in fellowship with Him, is simply fidelity to Himself. “Righteousness is truth passing into action” (Westcott).
To forgive (ἵνα ἀφῇ)
See Joh 20:23; 1Jo 2:12. Primarily the word means to send away, dismiss; hence of sins, to remit, as a debt. Cleansing (1Jo 1:7) contemplates the personal character of the sinner; remission, his acts. See on Mat 6:12; see on Jam 5:15. To forgive is, literally, that he may forgive. On John's use of ἵνα in order that, see on Joh 15:13; see on Joh 14:31. Forgiveness answers to the essential purpose of His faithful and righteous being.
Our sins (τὰς ἁμαρτίας)
Sin is defined by John as ἀνομία, lawlessness. Compare Rom 6:19. A.V., transgression of the law (1Jo 3:4). It may be regarded either as condition or as act; either with reference to the normal, divine ideal of manhood, or to an external law imposed upon man by God. Any departure from the normal ideal of man as created in God's image puts man out of true relation and harmony with his true self, and therefore with God and with his fellowman. He thus comes into false, abnormal relation with right, love, truth, and light. He walks in darkness and forfeits fellowship with God. Lawlessness is darkness, lovelessness, selfishness. This false principle takes shape in act. He doeth (ποιεῖ) or committeth sin. He doeth lawlessness (τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ; 1Jo 3:4, 1Jo 3:8). He transgresses the words (ῥήματα, Joh 17:8) of God, and His commandments (ἐντολαί, 1Jo 2:3) as included and expressed in His one word or message (λόγος, 1Jo 2:7, 1Jo 2:14). Similarly the verb ἁμαρτάνειν, to sin, may signify either to be sinful (1Jo 3:6), or to commit sin (1Jo 1:10). Sin, regarded both as principle and act, is designated by John by the term ἁμαρτία. The principle expressed in the specific acts is ἡ ἁμαρτία (Joh 1:29), which occurs in this sense in Paul, but not in the Synoptists, nor in Acts. Many of the terms used for sin by other New Testament writers are wanting in John; as ἀσέβεια ungodliness (see on Jud 1:14); ἀσεβεῖν to be ungodly (2Pe 2:6); παραβαίνειν to transgress; παράβασις transgression; παραβάτης transgressor (see on Mat 6:14; see on Jam 2:11); παρανομεῖν to act contrary to the law; παρανομία breach of law (see on Act 23:3; see on 2Pe 2:16); παράπτωμα trespass (see on Mat 6:14).
To cleanse
See on 1Jo 1:7.
Unrighteousness (ἀδικίας)
With reference to δίκαιος righteous. The righteous One who calls us into fellowship with Himself, purges away the unrighteousness which is contrary to His nature, and which renders fellowship impossible. The word occurs in John's writings only at Joh 7:18; 1Jo 5:17.