Many Christians use 1 John 1:9 as a sort of “bar of soap.” They’re forgiven of all past sins at salvation, but they still need daily cleansing through confession and asking of forgiveness as new sins arise. But this raises an important question: What if we forget one? How does this belief reconcile with the “once for all forgiveness” taught in Hebrews 10:1-18?
Interpreting 1 John 1:9 in Context:
1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—
John used physical words because he’s fighting a movement called Gnosticism. Gnostic proponents asserted that Jesus’ physical body wasn’t real but only “seemed” or “appeared” to be physical (known as “Docetism” from a Gr. word that means “to appear”). Gnostics rejected the Incarnation by maintaining Jesus was more of a phantom than a human.
1 John 1:2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
John used the word manifested twice to strongly emphasize again that Jesus was physical.
1 John 1:3-4 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our (those in Christ) fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
The word fellowship (Gr. koinōnea) means “to share an intimate life.” Fellowship and salvation are synonymous. Some people hearing this letter didn’t have fellowship. John, an evangelist at heart, says nothing would make him happier than the salvation of deceived gnostic unbelievers.
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him (Jesus) and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
God is Light. Christians are children of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thes. 5:5). Christians are never in darkness. Darkness defines unbelievers. Christians never bounce from light to dark in scripture.
1 John 1:6-7 If we (anyone) say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
The gnostic idea that matter was evil and only spirit was good led them to conclude that bodily sin was not an issue. The second major gnostic error is the denial of personal sin.
Some people claimed to be in the Light (in Christ) but weren’t. If they’re in the Light, they have fellowship with God, one another (the body of Christians), and the blood of Jesus has been applied to their whole life and has cleansed them from all sin.
These verses are not about getting and trying to keep fellowship or bouncing in and out of fellowship. Walk(ing) in the Light means you share a common life with God, other Christians, and you are a totally forgiven person. At salvation we move permanently from darkness to light…always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:12-13 NLT)
1 John 1:8 If we (anyone of us) say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
John is building his argument. Any human is unsaved if he claims he has no sin, doesn’t sin or has never sinned. The truth (Jesus) is not in that person (John 14:6; Ro. 8:9; Col. 1:27). The next verse provides the simple solution for these unbelieving people to come to their senses and receive God’s solution.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The word confess does not mean telling God what you did. Confess is the Geek compound verb homologeō. Homou means “the same.” Logos means “to say.” Homologeo means “to say the same thing” or simply “to agree.” Therefore, to confess our sins means we agree with God concerning our sin guilt, a truth the Gnostics were struggling to accept.
John is saying in essence, “Hey you Gnostics! Instead of denying Jesus and your sin, how about just admitting the truth of it all? If you’ll come to your senses, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse you completely just like He did for me!” Therefore, 1 John 1:9 is an appeal and invitation for salvation.
Note God’s forgiveness is not sin by sin, little by little, or day by day. If we confess…He forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
This re-emphasizes verse 8. Jesus is the truth, and Jesus is the living word. If Jesus (the word) is not in us (anyone), then we’re an unbeliever.
In Chapter 2, John changes gears and addresses a different audience as “My little children,” i.e. believers in Christ. He says, I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven… (perfect tense—completed action in the past with continuing present results) (1 John 2:12). The sin deniers in Chapter 1 still need forgiveness and cleansing, but the little children in Chapter 2 already have their sins forgiven.
We have belabored this passage to make one liberating and clarifying point— 1 John 1:9, taken in its context, is written to people outside Christ. This verse is not for Christians. So if you’re in Christ, relax! The forgiveness issue is finished.