1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses ¹  us from all sin. ² 

Ps 56:13; Ps 89:15; Ps 97:11; Ps 104:2; Isa 2:5; Am 3:3; Zec 13:1; Joh 1:29; Joh 12:35; Ro 13:12; 1Co 6:11; Eph 1:7; Eph 5:8; 1Ti 6:16; Heb 9:14; Jas 1:17; 1Pe 1:19; 1Jo 1:3; 1Jo 1:5; 1Jo 2:1,2; 1Jo 2:9,10; 1Jo 5:6,8; 2Jo 1:4; 3Jo 1:4; Re 1:5; Re 7:14

¹ tn Or “purifies.”

² tn BDAG 50 s.v. ἁμαρτία 1 defines this term as “a departure fr. either human or divine standards of uprightness” (see 1 John 5:17 where ἁμαρτία [Jamartia] and ἀδικία [adikia] are related). This word occurs 17 times in 1 John, of which 11 are singular and 6 are plural.

sn From all sin. Sometimes a distinction between singular “sin” and plural “sins” has been suggested: Some would see the singular all sin of 1:7 as a reference to sinfulness before conversion and the plural sins of 1:9 as a reference to sins committed after one became a Christian. This amounts to making 1:7 refer to initial justification and 1:9 to sanctification. But the phrase all sin in 1:7 is so comprehensive that it can hardly be limited to preconversion sins, and the emphasis on “walking” in 1:7 strongly suggests that the Christian life is in view (not one’s life before conversion). In 1 John 1:8 sin appears as a condition or characteristic quality, which in 1:10 is regarded as universal. Apart from forgiveness in Christ it results in alienation from God (2:15) and spiritual death (3:14). But according to 1 John 1:7, cleansing from sin is possible by the blood (representing the sacrificial death) of Jesus.