1 John 1:8

If we say. See on v. 6.

We have no sin. John does not state whether there were some who made a public claim to perfection or whether the words were spoken only in the heart, but he is aware of the existence of the claim and shows its danger. His use of the present tense shows that these self-reliant ones were claiming a present and continuing righteousness to which they had not, in fact, attained. They did not deny having sinned in the past, but now said, literally, “Sin we are not having.” In this respect they form a contrast to the genuinely righteous, who acknowledge their sinfulness and need for cleansing (v. 7). Christ alone could claim to be without sin (see on v. 7). For comment on “sin” see on ch. 3:4.

We deceive ourselves. See on Matt. 18:12. Since we are deceiving ourselves, we cannot blame anyone else. Since a claim to be without sin is an exaltation of self, a resuscitation of the old man, an act of pride and therefore of sin, it is a self-contradictory claim that is made only by one who is self-deceived. Unwilling to admit its own sinfulness, the deceitful human heart invents countless ways to protest its innocence.

Only the penetrating power of the Word of God can reveal the true state of the heart, and then, only when the mind is willing to receive the revelation (Jer. 17:9; Heb. 4:12).

Truth is not in us. See on v. 6. The writer again follows a positive statement with its opposite in the negative (cf. vs. 5, 6). He who deliberately rejects right and accepts an untruth, especially an untruth that makes him feel superior to others and independent of the Saviour, can never be sure that he will ever again be willing or able to discern the difference between right and wrong (cf. on Matt. 12:31). Unless there is an early return to the former humble walk in the rays of the revealing light of truth, such a soul has turned aside into a path that can end only in condemnation and death. However penetrating may be the knowledge of other aspects of truth, an error here will render all other knowledge useless.