1 John 3:6

6 every one who is remaining in him doth not sin; every one who is sinning, hath not seen him, nor 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 Every one who is doing the sin, the lawlessness also he doth do, and the sin is the lawlessness,

5 and ye have known that he was manifested that our sins he may take away, and sin is not in him;

6 every one who is remaining in him doth not sin; every one who is sinning, hath not seen him, nor known him.

7 Little children, let no one lead you astray; he who is doing the righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous,

8 he who is doing the sin, of the devil he is, because from the beginning the devil doth sin; for this was the Son of God manifested, that he may break up the works of the devil;