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.

every one who hath been begotten of God, sin he doth not, because his seed in him doth remain, and he is not able to sin, because of God he hath been begotten.

10 In this manifest are the children of God, and the children of the devil; every one who is not doing righteousness, is not of God, and he who is not loving his brother,

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