Bible Strands
1 John 3:7
Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John addresses his readers as "little children" to issue a warning against spiritual deception. He places this instruction immediately after contrasting those who remain in Christ with those who continue in sin.
The words — The participle ποιῶν (poiōn) translates literally as "are practicing" or "continually doing." It modifies δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosunēn), meaning "righteousness," to denote sustained moral action rather than a single event.
The thread — The equation of practice with righteousness recurs in 1 John 2:29, which ties righteous conduct to divine birth. Romans 2:13 similarly grounds right standing before God in active obedience rather than mere knowledge.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to measure their own consistent conduct against Christ's character to avoid self-deception. It demands a practical evaluation of whether one's life actively produces righteousness or sin.
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
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Cross-references
- 1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.
- Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.
- 1 Peter 1:15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
- 1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
- Psalms 45:7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.
- Acts 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
- 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- 1 John 2:26 I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
- Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- Psalms 106:3 Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.