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Bible verse
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
What it means
Guilt tempts us to hide, but God invites us to come clean. When we honestly admit our sin to Him, He does not shame us; He forgives. He is faithful and just to pardon, because Jesus already paid the full price on the cross. This means forgiveness is not God overlooking wrong but Christ having borne it. So there is no need to bury your failures or perform to earn grace. Bring them into the light, trust the cleansing blood of Jesus, and receive the fresh start He freely gives.
1 John 1:9 at a glance
| Reference | 1 John 1:9 |
|---|---|
| Book | 1 John |
| Chapter to read it in | 1 John 1 |
| Topic | forgiveness |
| Passages linked to it | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- Psalms 32:5
- Proverbs 28:13
- Jeremiah 33:8
- Psalms 51:2-5
- 1 John 1:7
- Ezekiel 36:25
- Hebrews 10:23
- 1 Timothy 1:15
- Nehemiah 1:6
- Ezekiel 37:23
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where do I find 1 John 1:9?
It is in 1 John, in 1 John 1. Reading the whole chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and why.
What other passages go with 1 John 1:9?
Readers most often set it beside Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Jeremiah 33:8, Psalms 51:2-5. Each is listed under Read it in context.
How can I pray 1 John 1:9?
Read it slowly once, then say it back to God in your own words, one phrase at a time. Stop on the phrase that stays with you and stay there. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray it with you.
Pray this
Lord Jesus, you see 1 John 1:9 and you know every person there by name. We bring you 1 John 1:9, forgiveness. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read all of 1 John 1 today, not only the one verse.
- Write 1 John 1:9 where you will see it, and read it aloud at the start and end of the day.
- Tell one person what this verse means to you, and ask what verse has carried them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read it, pray it, live it
On The Living Bread you can read the whole chapter, save this verse, ask Simon to explain it, pray it over your life, and share it with someone who needs it today.
