Whoever has been (A)born of God does not sin, for (B)His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love(C)

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

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No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because [a]God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are clearly identified: anyone who does not practice righteousness [who does not seek God’s will in thought, action, and purpose] is not of God, nor is the one who does not [unselfishly] [b]love his [believing] brother.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:9 I.e. in human terms, God’s seed is like a divine “genetic code” which is passed on to His children and produces in them the desire to live in a way which pleases Him.
  2. 1 John 3:10 See note 2:10.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

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Whosoever is born of God sinneth not: for his [a]seed remaineth in him, neither can he sin, because he is born of God.

10 [b]In this are the children of God known, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness, is not of God, [c]neither he that loveth not his brother.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:9 The holy Ghost is so called of the effect he worketh, because by his virtue and mighty working, as it were by seed, we are made new men.
  2. 1 John 3:10 The conclusion, by a wicked life they are known which are governed by the spirit of the Devil, and by a pure life, which are God’s children.
  3. 1 John 3:10 He beginneth to commend charity towards the brethren, as another mark of the Sons of God.