1 John 3:9 Commentary

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1 John 3:9

Comments

The new birth is still the overriding subject, for all the changes in the believer, that are spoken of since the start of the chapter, result from our new nature. Those who are born again are stable and will not fall away or return to the world. When John says that they do not commit sin, he again speaks of the prevailing character of their lives, and not of every particular act. They may fall to temptation, but they confess their sins to God and receive his pardon. They cannot be happy in their sins; the strongest desire in their hearts is for holiness. They are responsive to correction.How does this seed ensure that we cannot sin? It is more powerful than our old nature and gradually overcomes it, transforming us into the image of Christ. It creates an antagonism in our hearts towards sin which is reinforced by conscience.

Application

While we are to have no confidence in the flesh, it is right that we have great confidence in the work which God has done within us, and remain confident that the new nature he has given us will triumph.

Anyone who does not have this prevailing attitude, this antagonism to sin, shows that they are not born again. While there is a battle taking place in the believer’s heart between the Spirit and the flesh, the real ‘I’ is on the side of the Spirit and ready to put the flesh to death.

Questions

What does John mean by ‘his seed’? This is the first time he has used this word, and yet he expects us to understand it, because it refers to what he says elsewhere. ‘His seed’ is the truth in us (1:8), or God’s word in us (1:10), or the anointing from the Holy One (2:20, 27), or God in us (3:24). It is something living and full of potential which is planted in us; it is God’s own seed and therefore will not fail to bring forth a harvest of righteousness.

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1 John 3:9 Commentary and Bible Study