1 John 3:8

Committeth sin. See on v. 4.

Of the devil. That is, he is a child of the devil and does the will of the devil (cf. John 8:44).

From the beginning. This phrase may refer either to (1) the beginning of the devil’s opposition to God, that is, from the beginning of his sin, since when he has been continually sinning, or (2) the time when he beguiled Adam and Eve into sin, that is, from the beginning of human sin, since which time he has been constantly sinning and leading others into sin. See on ch. 1:1.

For this purpose. The purpose is part of God’s “eternal purpose” (see on Eph. 3:11).

Son of God. Although this is the first use of this title in the epistle, John has previously acknowledged Christ’s Sonship (chs. 1:3, 7; 2:22-24) and continues to do so (chs. 3:23; 4:9, 10, 14), and in chs. 4:15; 5:5, 10, 13, 20 makes many further references to the “Son of God.” For discussion on the divine Sonship of Christ see on Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14; see Additional Note on John 1.

Manifested. Greek phaneroo (see on v. 5). The reference here is clearly to the incarnation, and implies the pre-existence of Christ as the eternal Son of God (see on Micah 5:2; John 1:1-3; see Vol. V, p. 917). But John is not here concerned with establishing the nature of Christ: he is bent on explaining the purpose that led God’s Son to be “made flesh.”

Destroy. Greek luō, “to loose,” “to release,” “to dissolve,” hence, “to break up,” “to destroy.” Compare the use of luō in Matt. 5:19; John 2:19; 5:18; 7:23; etc.

Works of the devil. These “works” include all the evil Satan has ever wrought in the world and in God’s creation, but the particular reference here may be to the sins that the devil has fostered in men’s lives. Christ came to release men from bondage to sin (see on Matt. 1:21), and thus to undo the work of the evil one.