What does 1 John 1:9 mean?
The apostle John wrote this letter to assure believers of their relationship with God. Just before this verse he warns that if we claim to have no sin, we deceive ourselves. The answer is not to hide our sins but to "confess" them, which means agreeing with God about them and admitting them honestly. The promise rests on God's character: he is "faithful," keeping his promise to forgive, and "just," because Jesus has paid for sin on the cross. God does more than forgive; he cleanses "from all unrighteousness," washing away guilt and making us clean. It is an invitation to come back to God, again and again.
1 John 1:9 in the World English Bible
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Context
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Related topics
Frequently asked questions
What does 1 John 1:9 mean?
The apostle John wrote this letter to assure believers of their relationship with God. Just before this verse he warns that if we claim to have no sin, we deceive ourselves. The answer is not to hide our sins but to "confess" them, which means agreeing with God about them and admitting them honestly. The promise rests on God's character: he is "faithful," keeping his promise to forgive, and "just," because Jesus has paid for sin on the cross. God does more than forgive; he cleanses "from all unrighteousness," washing away guilt and making us clean. It is an invitation to come back to God, again and again.
What does 1 John 1:9 say in the KJV?
1 John 1:9 (KJV) reads: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”