Whosoever is Born of God Does Not Commit Sin

[Jerry Shugart]

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 Jn.3:9).

In his commerntary on this verse Zane Hodges says that "One who is born of God...does not sin precisely 'because God's sin remains in him,' and he cannot sin 'because he has been born of God.' 'God's seed' is His nature, given to each believer at salvation (John 1:13; 2 Peter 1:4). The point here is that the child parakes of the nature of his Parent. The thought of a sinless Parent who begets a child who only sins a little is far from the author's mind...Sin is not, nor ever can be, anything but satanic. It can never spring from what a Christian truly is at the level of his regenerate being...The Christian still experiences a genuine struggle with the flesh and overcomes its impulses only by the help of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:16-26). Paul's thinking also conforms with this view. In his struggle with sin he was able to conclude, 'Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it' (Rom. 7:20). In this way Paul could perceive sin as not a real part of what he was at the most inward level of his being" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary; New Testament, ed. Walvoord & Zuck[Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1983], 894-895).

 

[The Biblicist]

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 Jn.3:9).

In his commerntary on this verse Zane Hodges says that "One who is born of God...does not sin precisely 'because God's sin remains in him,' and he cannot sin 'because he has been born of God.' 'God's seed' is His nature, given to each believer at salvation (John 1:13; 2 Peter 1:4). The point here is that the child parakes of the nature of his Parent. The thought of a sinless Parent who begets a child who only sins a little is far from the author's mind...Sin is not, nor ever can be, anything but satanic. It can never spring from what a Christian truly is at the level of his regenerate being...The Christian still experiences a genuine struggle with the flesh and overcomes its impulses only by the help of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:16-26). Paul's thinking also conforms with this view. In his struggle with sin he was able to conclude, 'Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it' (Rom. 7:20). In this way Paul could perceive sin as not a real part of what he was at the most inward level of his being" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary; New Testament, ed. Walvoord & Zuck[Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1983], 894-895).

If this is taken in the absolute sense "cannot sin" in regard to the whole person then we need never confess our sins or ask forgiveness for something we "cannot" have done.

If this is taken in the absolute sense in regard to where "seed" actually dwells - the new man, the new creation, the inward man, the spirit of man or what has been created in true holiness and righteousness then that is absolutely true. The spirit of man as opposed to his soul and body is completely glorified and that is what is born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:6).

If this is taken in merely the sense of "cannot habitually practice WILLFUL sin" or "make WILLFUL sin the habitual practice" then there can be some truth in that idea.

However, if you are interpreting "cannot sin" to mean "for long periods of time" can live above sin then that is stretching the language beyond its reasonable limits and contrary to other scriptures (Philip. 3:12-14; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).

 

[Jerry Shugart]

However, if you are interpreting "cannot sin" to mean "for long periods of time" can live above sin then that is stretching the language beyond its reasonable limits and contrary to other scriptures (Philip. 3:12-14; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).

I believe that it is only when a Christian is walking after the Spirit that his nature as being "born of God" is manifested. When that happens the Christian is free from the law of sin (Ro.8:2). Also, it is only then that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us:

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Ro.8:4).

David Brown says:

"--"the righteous demand," "the requirement" [ALFORD], Or "the precept" of the law; for it is not precisely the word so often used in this Epistle to denote "the righteousness which justifies" ( Rom 1:17 3:21 4:5, 6 5:17, 18, 21 ), but another form of the same word, intended to express the enactment of the law, meaning here, we believe, the practical obedience which the law calls for.

might be fulfilled in us--or, as we say, "realized in us."

who walk--the most ancient expression of the bent of one's life, whether in the direction of good or of evil ( Gen 48:15 Psa 1:1 Isa 2:5 Mic 4:5 Eph 4:17 1Jo 1:6, 7 ).

not after--that is, according to the dictates of

the flesh, but after the spirit--From Rom 8:9 it would seem that what is more immediately intended by "the spirit" here is our own mind as renewed and actuated by the Holy Ghost" (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary on Romans 8).

As long as the Christian is walking after the Spirit the righteous demand of the law are realized in him. I also believe that a Christian can walk after the Spirit for long periods of time. Here Paul is descrining how he and other Christians lived their lives:

"Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe" (1 Thess.2:10).

 

[billwald]

http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/user/395

The PBs are hyperdispensationalists who think the Church began with St Paul and that Jesus' teachings are only for OT Jews. Dallas Theo. is basically a PB school.

 

[DHK]

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 Jn.3:9).

In his commerntary on this verse Zane Hodges says that "One who is born of God...does not sin precisely 'because God's sin remains in him,' and he cannot sin 'because he has been born of God.' 'God's seed' is His nature, given to each believer at salvation (John 1:13; 2 Peter 1:4). The point here is that the child parakes of the nature of his Parent. The thought of a sinless Parent who begets a child who only sins a little is far from the author's mind...Sin is not, nor ever can be, anything but satanic. It can never spring from what a Christian truly is at the level of his regenerate being...The Christian still experiences a genuine struggle with the flesh and overcomes its impulses only by the help of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:16-26). Paul's thinking also conforms with this view. In his struggle with sin he was able to conclude, 'Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it' (Rom. 7:20). In this way Paul could perceive sin as not a real part of what he was at the most inward level of his being" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary; New Testament, ed. Walvoord & Zuck[Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1983], 894-895).

Why are you quoting from Zane Hodges?

Here are some examples of his teachings which we find to be disturbing:

1. Zane Hodges teaches that a multitude of people will not inherit the kingdom of God, even though they have been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11). The Gospel Under Seige, Chapter 9, "Who are the Heirs?"

2. Zane Hodges teaches that a large portion of the Church, Christ's beloved body and bride, will be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Grace in Eclipse, Chapter 9, "The Darkness Outside" and see also Chapter 8. See our paper, Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth--Will This Be the Fate of True Christians?

3. Hebrews 12:6-8 says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." This text is very clear. God loves everyone of His sons and He chastens every single one of them. But Hodges teaches that there are multitudes of saved people who are ILLEGITIMATE (BASTARDS--KJV) and who are not chastened by the Father (even though they are saved people). See Hodges discussion of Hebrews 12:8 in The Bible Knowledge Commentary.

4. Hodges teaches that true Christians (those who are really saved) can be described as "children of the devil." Hodges says, "The question might be raised whether a truly regenerate person could ever be called a 'child of the devil.' In the light of 2 John 9, the answer must be Yes" (The Epistles of John, p. 145). Note: Read 2 John 9 for yourself and see if you think this passage proves that true Christians can be called children of the devil!

5. Hodges teaches that the antichrists mentioned in 1 John 2:18-19, 22-23 could very well be saved people! The Epistles of John, pages 111-112.

6. "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). Hodges says that this is a description of "redeemed and justified people" (Grace in Eclipse, pages 68-69). Keep in mind that professing to know God is not necessarily the same as knowing God (see Matthew 7:21-23)..

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/hodgesho.htm

His teachings or beliefs are not exactly orthodox.