1 John 1:10
The apostle John addresses the false notion that people can be without sin, emphasizing the universal nature of sin and the importance of God's Word.
John Gill emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our sinfulness, arguing that to claim one has never sinned is to contradict God's truth and make Him a liar. He explains that such assertions reflect a misunderstanding of original sin and the nature of humanity, as all are born estranged from God and guilty of sin. Gill warns against the beliefs of Gnostics and Judaizing Christians who consider themselves pure despite their sinful actions, highlighting that true understanding of God's word leads to a recognition of our need for grace and repentance.
Text
Ver. 10. If we say that we have not sinned,.... Have never sinned, in time past as well as now; deny original sin, and that men are born in sin, but affirm they come into the world pure and holy; and assert that concupiscence is not sin; and so not regarding internal lusts and desires as sinful, only what is external, fancy they have so lived as to have been without sin: but if any of us give out such an assertion,
we make him a liar: that is, God, who in his word declares that the wicked are estranged from the womb, and go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies; that his own people are transgressors from the womb; that all have sinned and come short of his glory; and that there is none that does good, no, not one, but all are under sin, under the power and guilt of it, and become filthy by it, and so obnoxious to the wrath of God:
and his word is not in us; either Christ the Word of God, or rather the word of God which declares these things; no regard is had unto it; it "is not with us", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it; it is not used and attended to as the rule and standard of truth, but is east away and despised; at least it has no place in the hearts of such, nor does it work effectually; for, was this the case, they would have other notions of themselves than that of sinless creatures. The apostle has regard either to the Gnostics, a set of heretics of this age, who fancied themselves pure, spiritual, and perfect, even in the midst of all their impurities, and notwithstanding their vicious lives; or to judaizing Christians, and it may be to the Jews themselves, who entertained such sort of notions as these of being perfect and without sin {h}.
{h} Vid. T. Bab. Temura, fol. 15. 2. & Bava Kama, fol. 80. 1. T. Hieros. Sota, fol. 24. 1. &. Chagiga, fol. 77. 4.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Nature of Sin
- A. Sin is universal and affects all people
- B. Sin is not just external actions, but also internal desires
- II. The Deception of Sin
- A. Sinful people claim to be without sin
- B. This claim is a lie, as God declares all people to be sinners
- III. The Importance of God's Word
- A. God's Word is the standard of truth
- B. Ignoring God's Word leads to a distorted view of oneself
- IV. The Consequences of Sin
- A. Sin makes people obnoxious to God's wrath
- B. Sinful people have no regard for God's Word
Key Quotes
“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar: that is, God, who in his word declares that the wicked are estranged from the womb, and go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies;” — John Gill
“The apostle has regard either to the Gnostics, a set of heretics of this age, who fancied themselves pure, spiritual, and perfect, even in the midst of all their impurities, and notwithstanding their vicious lives;” — John Gill
Application Points
- Recognize the universal nature of sin and its effects on all people.
- Understand the importance of God's Word as the standard of truth.
- Acknowledge the consequences of sin, including being obnoxious to God's wrath.