John 8:34

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Images for John 8:34

John 8:34 in Other Translations

KJV
34 Jesus answered them,Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
ESV
34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
NLT
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
MSG
34 Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave.
CSB
34 Jesus responded, "I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

John 8:34 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:34

Jesus answered them, verily verily I say unto you
Taking no notice of their civil liberty, to which he could easily have replied to their confusion and silence, he observes to them their moral servitude and bondage, and in the strongest manner affirms, that

whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin;
which must be understood, not of one that commits a single act of sin, though ever so gross, as did Noah, Lot, David, Peter, and others, who yet were not the servants of sin; or of such who sin through ignorance, weakness of the flesh, and the power of Satan's temptations, and especially who commit sin with reluctance, the spirit lusting against it; nor indeed of any regenerate persons, though they are not without sin; nor do they live without the commission of it, in thought, word, or deed; and though they fall into it, they do not continue and live in it, but rise up out of it, through the grace of God, and by true repentance; and so are not to be reckoned the servants of sin, or to be of the devil. But this is to be understood of such whose bias and bent of their minds are to sin; who give up themselves unto it, and sell themselves to work wickedness; who make sin their trade, business, and employment, and are properly workers of it, and take delight and pleasure in it: these, whatever liberty, they promise themselves, are the servants of corruption; they are under the government of sin, that has dominion over them; and they obey it in the lusts thereof, and are drudges and slaves unto it, and will have no other wages at last but death, even eternal death, if grace prevent not; see ( Romans 6:16 ) ( 2 Peter 2:19 ) .

John 8:34 In-Context

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Romans 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19
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