1 John 1:8

You know, we all do bad things. If we reckon that we never do anything bad, we are just tricking ourselves. If we talk like that, it shows that we don’t know God’s true message.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

In Context

7But if we always try to do what is right, just like God always does what is right, it’s like we are walking in the light. If we live like that, it shows that we are in God’s family, and we are joined up with all the other people in God’s family. And we know that God’s son Jesus died for us, and he takes away all the bad things we do. It’s like his blood washes us and makes us properly clean inside.

9But if we pray to God and talk straight about the bad things we do, and if we tell him that we are sorry, then he will let go of those bad things, and he will never do payback to us. And he will make us properly clean inside. God promised that he will do that, and he always keeps his promises, he always does what is right.

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Matthew Henry on 1 John 1:6-8

The Apostolic Testimony. ( a. d. 80.) 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. The apostle, having declared the truth and dignity of the author of the gospel, brings a message… Read the whole commentary →

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