(Photo by Piotr Musioł on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 83, we are going to study 1 John 3:5.
Let’s read the verse.
1 John 3:5 But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
But (2532. kai) — means in contrast to what was stated in the previous verse.
You know (1492. eidó) — means you clearly see or are aware of a truth you already understand.
That Christ (3754. hoti) (1565. ekeinos) — points specifically to Christ as the focus of this truth.
Appeared (5319. phaneroó) — means was revealed or made visible.
To take away (142. airó) — means to remove or carry away, pointing to the decisive removal of sin.
Sins (266. hamartia) — means offenses against God or falling short of His law.
In Him (1722. en) (846. autos) — means in Christ Himself.
There is no sin (1510. eimi) (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) (266. hamartia) — means sin is completely absent in Him.
In other words, you are clearly aware that Christ was revealed to decisively remove the offenses or sins committed against God’s law, and in Christ, sin does not exist or is completely absent.
This stands in contrast to 1 John 3:4 (See Lesson 82), which teaches that everyone who practices sin lives in lawlessness. Sin is rebellion against God’s law.
When Jesus appeared, He had a clear mission. He came to take away sins. Through His work, the penalty of sin is removed, and its power is broken.
Because of Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin. When someone is under the power of sin, it becomes the pattern of their life. But since Jesus breaks that power, His followers can live differently.
This does not mean believers never struggle with sin. But it does mean sin is no longer their way of life. As believers abide in Christ (See Lesson 67), they grow in obedience and turn away from sin.
When a person’s life is marked by ongoing, unrepentant sin, it shows they do not truly know Jesus.
The reason Jesus can take away sins is because He is completely sinless. There is no sin in His nature or His actions. Only a sinless Savior is able to remove sin and reconcile us to God.
There is a clear contrast between our ongoing battle with sin and Christ’s perfect holiness. Even though we are forgiven, we still fight against sin. At the same time, we are no longer under its power and are called to live in righteousness.
We must depend on Christ to grow in purity and godliness. As we keep our focus on Him and remember what He has done, we are changed and become more like Him.
Let’s review some verses that support and expand on the teaching in 1 John 3:5 that says that Jesus came to take away sins and in Him there is no sin.
In Isaiah 53:4-5, we read a prophecy of what Jesus would do for us. This was written hundreds of years before He came. It shows us what happened on the cross. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;
In John 1:29, we read about John the Baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This reveals the central reason Jesus came. He is pointing to the substitutionary sacrifice that Jesus would make for us. Only Jesus could be this sacrificial Lamb because He is sinless.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we see the heart of the gospel. God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. He took our place, bearing our sin. As Isaiah 53:5 says, He was pierced and crushed for our iniquities. Because of Him, we can have peace with God and be made whole.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
In Romans 6:6, we read that our old self was crucified with Jesus so that the body of sin would be rendered powerless and we would no longer be slaves to sin. In our old life, we lived in lawlessness. When we are united with Him, the power of sin is broken in our lives.
Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
In 2 Timothy 1:9-10, we read that God saved us by His grace and according to His own purpose. Through the appearing of Jesus Christ, He abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. He saved us and called us to live a holy life. He accomplished this by appearing on earth and taking away our sin.
2 Timothy 1:9-10 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,
In conclusion, Jesus Christ appeared to take away sin, dealing with both its penalty and its power. He alone is able to do this because there is no sin in Him, and as a result, those who belong to Him are no longer under sin’s power but are called to live in righteousness.
Here are the key takeaways from the cross references.
It was prophesied that Jesus would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:4-5).
John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus was crucified so that the power of sin over our lives would be broken, and we would no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6:6).
Through His appearing, Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:9-10).
Be encouraged. The Messiah, Jesus, who was promised long ago in the book of Isaiah, came to take away the sins of the world. He, who knew no sin, bore our sin, broke its power in our lives, and defeated death through His appearing.
Because He is completely sinless, we can be made righteous, live free from the power of sin, and walk in the life and immortality He brings.
Respond to these truths by placing your trust in Him, turning from sin, and choosing to follow Him daily, allowing His grace to transform your life.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson:
“Lord Jesus, I thank You for taking away my sins and breaking the power of sin in my life. I trust in You as my Savior and choose to follow You each day. Help me live in Your righteousness, walk in Your life and immortality, and be transformed by Your grace. Amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 3:5 But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
