King James Version

What Does 1 John 1:10 Mean?

1 John 1:10 in the King James Version says “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

1 John 1:10 · KJV

Context

8

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. John concludes the chapter with the most serious form of denial: claiming we have not sinned at all. This differs from verse 8 (denying we have sin/sin nature); this denies any sinful acts. The present perfect tense "have not sinned" (ouch hēmartēkamen, οὐχ ἡμαρτήκαμεν) suggests denying a history of sin with continuing effects.

The consequence is severe: we "make him a liar" (pseustēn poioumen auton, ψεύστην ποιοῦμεν αὐτόν). God's Word declares that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). To deny our sin is to contradict God, calling Him a liar. This is cosmic arrogance—setting our self-assessment above God's declaration. It reverses the serpent's temptation: the serpent called God a liar; claiming sinlessness does the same.

"His word is not in us" indicates more than intellectual rejection—it means the living Word (Christ) and the revealed Word (Scripture) have not taken root in our hearts. Genuine encounter with God's holiness and truth produces conviction of sin (Isaiah 6:5, Luke 5:8). Those who claim sinlessness reveal they haven't truly met the God who is light. This sobering warning concludes the chapter's tests: walking in fellowship with God requires walking in light, confessing sin, and receiving ongoing cleansing—never claiming we've arrived at sinlessness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Some Gnostic teachers claimed they'd transcended sin through their enlightenment. Others redefined sin so that their behavior didn't qualify. Some argued that actions performed by the body didn't constitute sin for the enlightened spirit. All these positions effectively called God a liar by contradicting His revealed truth about human sinfulness.

The early church faced this challenge repeatedly. Pelagius denied original sin and claimed humans could achieve sinlessness through willpower. Augustine refuted this, establishing Christian orthodoxy: all humans inherit sin from Adam, all commit actual sins, and none achieve sinlessness in this life except Christ. The Council of Carthage (418 AD) condemned Pelagianism as heresy.

Throughout history, perfectionist movements have claimed achievable sinlessness, from some medieval mystics to certain Pentecostal and Holiness groups. Reformed theology consistently maintains that believers remain simultaneously justified and sinful (simul justus et peccator) until glorification.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways might you be minimizing your sin or comparing yourself favorably to others rather than to God's standard?
  2. How does growth in sanctification reveal previously unseen sin rather than leading to claims of greater righteousness?
  3. What would it look like practically to acknowledge that claiming sinlessness makes God a liar?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἐὰν1 of 16

“If”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

εἴπωμεν2 of 16

“we say”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὅτι3 of 16

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ4 of 16

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἡμαρτήκαμεν5 of 16

“sinned”

G264

properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin

ψεύστην6 of 16

“a liar”

G5583

a falsifier

ποιοῦμεν7 of 16

“we make”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

αὐτοῦ8 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ9 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ10 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγος11 of 16

“word”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

αὐτοῦ12 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὐκ13 of 16

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν14 of 16

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐν15 of 16

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἡμῖν16 of 16

“us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 1:81 John 5:101 John 2:4Psalms 130:32 John 1:2Colossians 3:16

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