The theme of this passage is stated in verse 29 of the previous chapter; doing righteousness is proof of our new birth. The first three verses of this chapter give positive aspects of is and develop that theme. This passage shows the impossibility of reconciling sin with this new birth and the fellowship we have with Christ. John has previously told us what the fatherhood of God includes. Here he tells us what it excludes. Keep in mind the fact that the word righteousness means right doing.
Verse 4 talks about those who sin or "miss the mark". It's a general term that includes all forms of wrong doing. "Commits" or "doeth" are present tense verbs. That's important. Remember that a present tense verb refers to continuous, ongoing action. That means John is writing about habitual sin; one living in sin. Remember also how this was needed at the time this letter was written. The Gnostics thought their supposed superior knowledge made them immune from God's law. They thought God didn't count sin against them. This is disregard for God's law. We look at sin as only falling short of the mark but it also encompasses going beyond the mark as well as was the case with these Gnostics. We need to remember to purify ourselves.
Verse 5 gives us two more reasons we aren't to continually sin. First, Christ was manifested or made known to take away sins. Secondly, in our example (Christ) there is no sin. (Matthew 1:21) The verb "take away" is an aorist verb (single action) also found in John 1:29. It carries with it the idea of a burden or load that's lifted so it won't crush the one carrying it. If we continue to walk in sin, we erase what Christ did. In Titus 2:14 Paul expresses the same thought.
The thought expressed in verse 6 is one of John's favorite ideas; us abiding in Him. It can be found in the Gospel of John in 5:38, 6:56, 14:10, 15:4-7 and in this book in 2:6, 10, 14, 17, 27, 3:6, 25, 4:12, 13, 15 and 16, 19 times. Abiding is a perfect tense verb which means we keep doing it and sin not. This is also reflected in 2:24, 3:9, 5:18 and Third John 11. The writer is NOT saying that one who abides in Him can't commit a single act of sin. This would conflict with First John 1:8. Also, if that were the case, he would have used an aorist tense verb representing a single act.
The meaning of this verse is that the one who settles into a permanent existence in Him has quit their former manner of living. It means we're no longer engaged in persistent and habitual sin. For the lapses that do occur we're given First John 2:1. This verse is also evidence that one who continues ongoing, sinful conduct is giving proof that they've not been saved. This goes back to the antichrists discussed in chapter two. I'm reminded of the bumper sticker I see from time to time that says, "Christians aren't perfect. We're just forgiven." These verses prove that.
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