1 Jean 3:6

6 Quiconque demeure en lui, ne pèche point; quiconque pèche, ne l'a point vu et ne l'a point connu.

1 Jean 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 Jean 3:6 In-Context

4 Quiconque pèche, transgresse aussi la loi; car le péché est une transgression de la loi.
5 Or, vous savez que Jésus-Christ a paru pour ôter nos péchés, et qu'il n'y a point de péché en lui.
6 Quiconque demeure en lui, ne pèche point; quiconque pèche, ne l'a point vu et ne l'a point connu.
7 Petits enfants, que personne ne vous séduise: celui qui pratique la justice, est juste comme lui-même est juste.
8 Celui qui commet le péché, est du diable; car le diable pèche dès le commencement. Or, le Fils de Dieu a paru pour détruire les œuvres du diable.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.