Episode Details

(Photo by Boris Baldinger 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 91, we are going to study the second part of 1 John 3:9.

Let’s read this part of the verse:

1 John 3:9 …because God’s seed abides in them…

Let’s go over the definitions of the words.

Because (3754. hoti) — introduces the reason or explanation for what has been stated.

God’s (846. autos) — refers to what comes from God or belongs to God.

Seed (4690. sperma) — refers to the source from which life springs. It can describe the life or principle of life that has been implanted.

Abides (3306. menó) — means to remain, continue, dwell, or stay. This is in the present tense.

In (1722. en) — means within.

Them (846. autos) — refers to those who have been born of God.

In other words, John is saying that the reason a person born of God cannot continue in a life dominated by sin is because God has placed a new spiritual life within them. This new life remains in the believer and continually works through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to transform their desires, character, and actions.

John begins this verse with the word "because." He is explaining the reason why someone who has been born of God cannot continue living in a pattern of sin. We studied this in Lesson 90.

When someone is born of God, they do not simply become a slightly improved version of their old self. God gives them a new spiritual life. They receive a new heart, new desires, a new direction, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

This does not mean believers will never sin. Scripture teaches that Christians still struggle with sin and must confess and repent when they fall. God will give them the strength to live a life of holiness and resist sin.

1 John 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Someone who has been born of God cannot remain comfortable living in continual rebellion against Him. God’s life within them changes their relationship with sin. Sin now brings conviction, grief, and ultimately a desire to return to fellowship with God.

Christian growth and maturity are ultimately the result of God’s transforming work within the believer rather than human effort alone. As believers respond in faith, obedience, and dependence on God, the life God has placed within them produces increasing righteousness and a growing desire to reflect His character.

This new life is what John describes as God’s seed. Through the new birth, God implants His life within His children, and that divine life remains in them, producing spiritual growth and an increasing likeness to Christ.

This seed abides in the believer. Through the indwe