I John 3:7
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The same truth stated, with the addition that he who sins is, so far as he sins, "of the devil." let no man deceive you--as Antinomians try to mislead men. righteousness--Greek, "the righteousness," namely, of Christ or God. he that doeth . . . is righteous--Not his doing makes him righteous, but his being righteous (justified by the righteousness of God in Christ, Rom 10:3-10) makes him to do righteousness: an inversion common in familiar language, logical in reality, though not in form, as in Luk 7:47; Joh 8:47. Works do not justify, but the justified man works. We infer from his doing righteousness that he is already righteous (that is, has the true and only principle of doing righteousness, namely, faith), and is therefore born of God (Jo1 3:9); just as we might say, The tree that bears good fruit is a good tree, and has a living root; not that the fruit makes the tree and its root to be good, but it shows that they are so. he--Christ.
Open source ↗The apostle here magnifies the love of God in our adoption (Jo1 3:1, Jo1 3:2). He thereupon argues for holiness (Jo1 3:3), and against sin (v. 4-19). He presses brotherly love (Jo1 3:11-18). How to assure our hearts before God (Jo1 3:19-22). The precept of faith (Jo1 3:23). And the good of obedience (Jo1 3:24).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.
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.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.
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.
I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.
in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.