I John 1:1-10
Sin. My Study Bible pointed out that the word “sin” and its variations occurs 27 times in this epistle. Today we have it five times in these few verses (7b-10). As we read on we will see that John uses “sin” as both a noun and a verb – as a noun 18 times (both singular and plural) and as a verb 9 times.
It’s interesting to consider the singular and the plural of sin as a noun. Here is an excerpt from today’s reading: …the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins… (vv. 7b-9a) I get the sense that “sin” in the singular is more corporate –a comprehensiveness, an entirety within ourselves (If we say we have no sin), but also in a more global sense (cleanses us from all sin). Sin in the plural refers more to individual acts, as we see in the last two occurrences of the word in the verses quoted above. And as I ponder further it seems like “sin” in the singular is (a) what Jesus’ death on the cross was all about, cleansing the entire world of all sin for all time and (b) for each of us, the cleansing that happened at our initial “conversion”, whenever that was. By contrast, “sin” in the plural is what we deal with, where we are on a daily basis. Any thoughts on all that…?
See also: December 16 / I John 1:1-10
“The Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is my strength and my life.” The kids are going to sing that on Dec 19. They love that song, and it was running through my head as I read the passage. Light. In His light/truth, we can see both His goodness and what is good, as well as discern what is sin and the dark corners of our life… so that we can confess and be in fellowship with Him.
Your comment, Debbie, on light and life 😊 is so much more uplifting than my discussion of sin…!! ☹.
Hey. I was adding to your previous comments!
Even from just reading the first few versus of 1 John, I am under the impression John was overwhelmed by God’s love for him…a love with no price tag…unconditional love! Maybe it’s just where my heart is today (and that’s a good thing!), but it’s a good reminder of Jesus’ truly unconditional love for me and us. I can sometimes take that for granted and the passages today help remind me to never take Jesus’ love for me for granted. And in so doing, I too can be overwhelmed by God’s love!