1 John 3:6

6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

1 John 3:6 in Other Translations

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

6 No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They've got him all backwards.

6 Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.

1 John 3:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 3:6

Whosoever abideth in him
As the branch in the vine, deriving all light, life, grace, holiness, wisdom, strength, joy, peace, and comfort from Christ; or dwells in him by faith, enjoys communion with him as a fruit of union to him; and stands fast in him, being rooted and grounded in him, and abides by him, his truths and ordinances, takes up his rest, and places his security in him, and perseveres through him:

sinneth not;
not that he has no sin in him, or lives without sin, but he does not live in sin, nor give up himself to a vicious course of life; for this would be inconsistent with his dwelling in Christ, and enjoying communion with him:

whosoever sinneth;
which is not to be understood of a single action, but of a course of sinning:

hath not seen him, neither known him;
that is, he has never seen Christ with an eye of faith; he has never truly and spiritually seen the glory, beauty, fulness, and suitableness of Christ, his need, and the worth of him; he has never seen him so as to enjoy him, and have communion with him; for what communion hath Christ with Belial, or light with darkness, or righteousness with unrighteousness? ( 2 Corinthians 6:14 2 Corinthians 6:15 ) , nor has he ever savingly known him, or been experimentally acquainted with him; for though he may profess to know him in words, he denies him in works.

1 John 3:6 In-Context

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Cross References

• 1. ver 9; 1 John 5:18
• 2. 3 John 11
• 3. S 1 John 2:4