1 John 3:4

Afrikaans 1983

Elkeen wat sonde doen, oortree die wet van God. Sonde is immers oortreding van die wet van God.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from 1 John tells us that when someone does something wrong or sins, they are breaking God's law. It says that sin is the act of disobeying these laws. The speaker here is John, one of Jesus' disciples.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a rule at home not to eat cookies before dinner. If you eat them anyway, you're breaking the rule. In this verse, God has rules and when we break them by doing wrong things, that's sin.

Historical Background

1 John was written around 95 AD by the Apostle John, who wrote it to strengthen the faith of Christians living in Asia Minor amidst false teachings. The cultural context involved a community striving for moral purity against heretical beliefs.

Living It Out Today

Consider a scenario where an employee at a company decides to take office supplies home without permission. This action not only breaks company rules but also reflects a personal sin by violating ethical standards.

Topics

• sin
• law
• morality
• ethics
• transgression
• obedience

Related Verses

• Romans 6:23
• Psalm 19:7-14
• Galatians 5:19-21
• James 2:8-10
• Matthew 5:17-19

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of 1 John 3:4?

The verse teaches that sinning involves breaking God's laws, emphasizing the close relationship between law and morality.

How does this relate to modern legal systems?

While not directly comparable, the idea of breaking laws applies. Just as laws are meant to maintain order in society, divine laws ensure moral integrity among believers.

Can you give an example from daily life related to 1 John 3:4?

Lying about your age on a form is both illegal and sinful because it breaks societal rules and God's commandments.

Why was this written by John?

John wrote to clarify the nature of sin for early Christians, encouraging them to live in accordance with divine laws amidst confusion from false teachings.