Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9 (ASV)

John now confronts us with our second definite test of obedience. Walking in the light is demonstrated not by the denial of sin but by confessing it and abandoning it. This action links us to God’s mercy. Those who confess their sins and condemn them are linked to God. And we can confess our “sins” to God and before other people fearlessly and in confidence because God is both faithful and just. The plural “sins” makes clear that we affirm our sinfulness by confessing our sins. The forgiveness that comes is related to God’s faithfulness and justice. God is faithful in himself, i.e., to his own nature (cf. 2 Timothy 2:13), and faithful to his promises (cf. Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 11:11). Everywhere he promises forgiveness to his children (e.g., Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:19–20). And in keeping this promise, God reveals his faithfulness and justice. The force of God’s being “just” (GK 1465) points to the Cross, to the covenant, to God’s rule over us, and to the attributes of God from which forgiveness flows. And certainly God’s mercy must not be set against his justice. The phrase “he is faithful and just” includes all those things. It is a corollary of the fact that God is light and love. The verb used for “forgive” (GK 918) has at its roots the idea of the “cancellation of debts” or the “dismissal of charges.” The verb used for “purifies” (GK 2751) pictures an act of cleansing from the pollution of sin so that a new life of holiness may begin. Sinners are perceived as cleansed from moral imperfections and from the injustices that separate them from God.