A Christian does not commit sin
St. John therefore is well consistent with himself, as well as with the other holy writers, as will yet more evidently appear if we place all his assertions touching this matter in one view. He declares, first: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Secondly, no man can say: I have not sinned; I have no sin to be cleansed from. Thirdly, but God is ready both to forgive our past sins and to save us from them for the time to come. Fourthly: These things I write to you, says the apostle, that you may not sin; but if any man should sin, or have sinned (as the word might be rendered), he need not continue in sin, seeing we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Thus far all is clear. But lest any doubt should remain in a point of so vast importance, the apostle resumes this subject in the third chapter and largely explains his own meaning. Little children, says he, let no man deceive you (as though I had given any encouragement to those that continue in sin). He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous (1 John 3:7). He who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Whoever is born of God does not commit sin, for his seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9). In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil (1 John 3:10). Here the point, which till then might possibly have admitted of some doubt in weak minds, is purposely settled by the last of the inspired writers, and decided in the clearest manner. In conformity therefore both to the doctrine of St. John and to the whole tenor of the New Testament, we fix this conclusion: A Christian is so far perfect as not to commit sin.
1771 text
20. St. John therefore is well consistent with himself, as well as with the other holy writers: as will yet more evidently appear, if we place all his assertions touching this matter in one view. He declares, first, The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Secondly, No man can say, I have not sinned, I have no sin to be cleansed from. Thirdly, But God is ready both to forgive our past sins, and to save us from them for the time to come. Fourthly, These things I write unto you, saith the apostle, that you may not sin: but if any man should sin, or have sinned (as the word might be rendered) he need not continue in sin, seeing we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous. Thus far all is clear. But lest any doubt should remain, in a point of so vast importance, the apostle resumes this subject in the third chapter, and largely explains his own meaning. Little children, saith he, let no man deceive you (as tho’ I had given any encouragement to those that continue in sin.) He that doth righteousness, is righteous even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. (Verses 7‒10.) Here the point, which till then might possibly have admitted of some doubt in weak minds, is purposely settled by the last of the inspired writers, and decided in the clearest manner. In conformity therefore both to the doctrine of St. John, and to the whole tenor of the New Testament, we fix this conclusion, “A Christian is so far perfect, as not to commit sin.”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 40 in the 1771 Works. Philippians 3:12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.