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.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The apostle John addresses believers concerning the ongoing presence of sin in the Christian life. He positions the verse between warnings against claiming sinlessness in 1 John 1:8 and 1 John 1:10.

The words — ὁμολογῶμεν (homologōmen) means “we confess” or “we admit,” and πιστός (pistos) means “faithful.” The text anchors the promise in God’s character rather than in human performance.

The thread — The connection between confession and divine forgiveness runs through Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, and Jeremiah 33:8. Each passage ties the acknowledgment of transgression to God’s action to forgive or cleanse.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to admit sin rather than deny it. It directs reliance to God’s declared faithfulness and justice for the removal of guilt and purification from unrighteousness.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Cross-references

Psalms 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Jeremiah 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all the iniquity they have committed against Me, and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me.
Psalms 51:2 Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Ezekiel 36:25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
Nehemiah 1:6 let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.
Ezekiel 37:23 They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or detestable images, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.