1 John 3:8

Context

1 John is traditionally regarded as a letter written by the apostle John. It is understood to have been written to give believers assurance in the face of those who had left the community (1 John 2:19) and of teaching that denied that Jesus had come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3).

1 John 3:4–10 distinguishes the "children of God" from the "children of the devil" by their conduct. Verse 8 is paired with the immediately preceding statement in verse 7, "he that doeth righteousness is righteous." The phrase "from the beginning" is commonly read to mean that the devil has been sinning since the beginning, and it is often discussed alongside John 8:44. The second half of the verse states the purpose for which Jesus Christ "was manifested," that is, the purpose of the Incarnation.

Interpretation

• Reading that emphasizes the present tense: This reading notes that the Greek rendered "committeth sin" is a present participle and takes it to describe a life of habitual, continuing sin. Many evangelical and Reformed commentaries read the verse this way, harmonizing it with 1 John 1:8–10, which states that believers also sin.
• Wesleyan reading: John Wesley, in his sermon on this text, "The End of Christ's Coming," is known to have taught that Christ came to deal not only with the penalty of sin but to break the very power of sin. The Methodist and Holiness traditions frequently cite this verse in support of sanctification and holiness.
• Reading of the atonement as victory: One view understands Christ's death and resurrection as a victory over the power of sin and the devil. In this view the verse is read, together with Hebrews 2:14, as illustrating one aspect of the atonement.
• Pentecostal and charismatic reading: Pentecostal and charismatic circles hold that "the works of the devil" also include sickness and spiritual oppression, and they often cite this verse in support of ministries of divine healing and deliverance (the casting out of demons). Acts 10:38 is often cited alongside it in this connection.

Debates and Issues

• The believer's sin and perfection: Within the same passage, 3:6 and 3:9 state that whoever is born of God "sinneth not" and "doth not commit sin," while 1:8 says that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. The Reformed tradition holds that sinless perfection cannot be attained in this life. The Wesleyan doctrine of "Christian perfection" describes it not as a state free even of mistakes and infirmities, but as a state in which love overcomes willful sin.
• Translation: The Greek verb rendered "destroy" (λύω) basically means "to loose" and is also used in the senses "to tear down" and "to annul." For this reason some commentators explain it with the nuance of "loosing what is bound and tearing it down" rather than "wiping out completely."
• Charges of citation out of context: Some teachings that emphasize spiritual warfare regard personal illness, poverty, and misfortune as works of the devil and cite this verse in support. Critics point out that the theme of the passage is the practice of sin and righteousness. Those who use the verse in this way respond that the healing and deliverance ministry recorded in the Gospels is also part of destroying the works of the devil.

Related Passages

• John 8:44
• 1 John 1:8
• 1 John 3:9
• Hebrews 2:14
• Colossians 2:15