1:8a

If we say: (Expression) See the note on 1:6.

have no sin: (Meaning) Here John is referring to those who claim that whatever Christians do is right and therefore Christians cannot be said to commit sin.

1:8b

we deceive ourselves: (Meaning) It is not true that Christians never sin. So if we say things like this we are confusing or deceiving ourselves and others.

1:8c

the truth is not in us: (Collocation) In some languages it is not natural to say that an abstract idea like “truth” is “in” someone. John means that if we say that we have no sin, then it is clear that we do not know the truth which God has revealed. God has shown in the Old Testament and the Gospels what sin is. So if we say something different about sin it cannot be true.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.