1 John 3:4 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁴ Every person who practices a life of sin is also breaking [God’s] law, for sin is law-breaking.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁴ Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God's law by transgression or neglect–being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).

American Standard Version (1901)

⁴ Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

Common English Bible

⁴ Every person who practices sin commits an act of rebellion, and sin is rebellion.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁴ Everyone who commits a sin, also commits iniquity. For sin is iniquity.

1 John 3:4 Cross References

1 John 5:17

All wrongdoing is sinful, and [yet] there is a situation where [a person’s] sin does not lead [him] to [spiritual] death.

Romans 3:20

This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which “law” is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the Law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the Law of Moses.

2 Corinthians 12:21

I am afraid that, when I come, my God will humiliate me in front of you, and I will be grieved over many [of those] who have sinned in the past without repenting of the [moral] impurity, sexual immorality and unrestrained indecency they have practiced.

Romans 4:15

For the law brings [God’s] wrath [i.e., because of man’s failure to obey it perfectly], but where there is no law, there is no [responsibility for] sin.

James 5:15

And if their prayer is [offered] by faith, [God] will heal the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up [from his sickbed]. And if he had sinned, he will be forgiven for them [Note: This may imply that the man’s sickness was the result of some sin. In any event, his forgiveness would follow his repentance].

Matthew 5:19

Therefore, whoever disregards one of these least [significant] requirements [of the Law of Moses] and teaches others to [disregard them], he will be considered the least [significant person] in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys them and teaches [others to obey] them, will be considered important in the kingdom of heaven.

Acts 23:3

Then Paul said to the head priest, “God will hit you, you white-washed wall [i.e., you hypocrite]. Are you sitting in judgment over me according to the Law of Moses and [yet] do you order me to be hit contrary to that law?”