1 John 3:8

The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John writes to his community ("little children," v.7) to correct a deceptive claim about who belongs to God, drawing a sharp line between those who practice righteousness and those who practice sin.

The words — ποιῶν (poiōn), present participle of ποιέω, "practicing" or "doing," marks sin here as a sustained pattern rather than a single lapse; the same word frames the righteous person in v.7, making the contrast structural.

The thread — "Sinning from the very start" echoes John 8:44 ("a murderer from the beginning"), while "destroy the works of the devil" parallels Hebrews 2:14 (destroying the devil by death) and Colossians 2:15 (disarming the powers).

Why it lands — The verse does not ask whether you have sinned but whether sin is your practice; it forces a self-examination of pattern, not incident, against the claim of being born of God.

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

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Cross-references

Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
John 12:31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.
John 16:11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Mark 1:24 “What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Luke 10:18 So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.