If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What does 1 John 1:9 mean?
A message from the Lord Jesus, the Word of life, the eternal Word, we should all gladly receive. The great God should be represented to this dark world, as pure and perfect light.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside 1 John 1:8-10 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins - Pardon in the Scriptures, always supposes that there is confession, and there is no promise that it will be imparted unless a full acknowledgment has been made. Compare Psalm 51 ; Psalm 32:1-11 ;; Luke 15:18 ff; Luke 7:41 ff; Proverbs 28:13 . He is faithful - To his promises. He will do what he has assured us he will do in remitting them. And just to forgive us our sins - The word "just" here cannot be used in a strict and proper sense, since the forgiveness of sins is never an act of justice, but is an act of mercy.
Key words
- confess
-
If we confess our sins,.
- sins
-
If we confess our sins,.
- sins
-
If we confess our sins,.
Context in 1 John 1
Show chapter context
1 John 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as walking in the light. First John is a profound epistle of light, truth, love, assurance, obedience, and confession of the incarnate Son. Read this chapter with the wider themes of love, truth, and assurance in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Bible verses about forgiveness
A reading list on divine pardon, repentance, reconciliation, and the demand to forgive others because God has first forgiven.
Passages on the nature of sin, its consequences, God's judgment, repentance, and the way of forgiveness through Christ.
Key passages on turning away from sin, returning to God, the call to repent, and the mercy that meets those who do.
A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.