1Jo 3:9-10 | RWP | e4.org | Doeth no sin ( αμαρτιαν ου ποιε ). Linear present active indicative as in verse like αμαρτανε in verse . The child of God does not have the habit of sin. His seed ( σπερμα αυτου ). God's seed, "the divine principle of life" (Vincent). Cf. . And he cannot sin ( κα ου δυνατα αμαρτανειν ). This is a wrong translation, for this English naturally means "and he cannot commit sin" as if it were κα ου δυνατα αμαρτειν or αμαρτησα (second aorist or first aorist active infinitive). The present active infinitive αμαρτανειν can only mean "and he cannot go on sinning," as is true of αμαρτανε in verse and αμαρτανων in verse . For the aorist subjunctive to commit a sin see αμαρτητε and αμαρτη in . A great deal of false theology has grown out of a misunderstanding of the tense of αμαρτανειν here. Paul has precisely John's idea in επιμενωμεν τη αμαρτια (shall we continue in sin, present active linear subjunctive) in contrast with αμαρτησωμεν in (shall we commit a sin, first aorist active subjunctive).

‏ 1 John 3:9-10

Doeth no sin ( αμαρτιαν ου ποιε ). Linear present active indicative as in verse 4 like αμαρτανε in verse 8. The child of God does not have the habit of sin.

His seed ( σπερμα αυτου ). God's seed, "the divine principle of life" (Vincent). Cf. Joh 1.

And he cannot sin ( κα ου δυνατα αμαρτανειν ). This is a wrong translation, for this English naturally means "and he cannot commit sin" as if it were κα ου δυνατα αμαρτειν or αμαρτησα (second aorist or first aorist active infinitive). The present active infinitive αμαρτανειν can only mean "and he cannot go on sinning," as is true of αμαρτανε in verse 8 and αμαρτανων in verse 6. For the aorist subjunctive to commit a sin see αμαρτητε and αμαρτη in 2:1. A great deal of false theology has grown out of a misunderstanding of the tense of αμαρτανειν here. Paul has precisely John's idea in Ro 6:1 επιμενωμεν τη αμαρτια (shall we continue in sin, present active linear subjunctive) in contrast with αμαρτησωμεν in Ro 6:15 (shall we commit a sin, first aorist active subjunctive).

In this ( εν τουτω ). As already shown. A life of sin is proof that one is a child of the devil and not of God. This is the line of cleavage that is obvious to all. See Joh 8:33-39 for the claim of the Pharisees to be the children of Abraham, whereas their conduct showed them to be children of the devil. This is not a popular note with an age that wishes to remove all distinctions between Christians and the world.

Doeth not righteousness ( ο μη ποιων δικαιοσυνην ). Habit (linear present participle) again of not doing righteousness, as in verse 7 of doing it. Cf. ποιε and μη ποιων (doing and not doing) in Mt 7:24, 26.

Neither ( κα ). Literally, "and," but with the ellipsis of ουκ εστιν εκ του θεου (is not of God). The addition here of this one item about not loving ( μη αγαπων ) one's brother is like Paul's summary in Ro 13:9, a striking illustration of the general principle just laid down and in accord with 2:9-11.