Confess and be cleansed
As great a difficulty as this may at first appear, it vanishes away if we observe, first, that the tenth verse fixes the sense of the eighth: If we say we have no sin in the former being explained by If we say we have not sinned in the latter verse. Secondly, that the point under present consideration is not whether we have or have not sinned heretofore; and neither of these verses asserts that we do sin or commit sin now. Thirdly, that the ninth verse explains both the eighth and tenth (1 John 1:9): If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As if he had said: I have before affirmed, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). But let no man say: I need it not; I have no sin to be cleansed from. If we say that we have no sin, that we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves and make God a liar. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, not only to forgive our sins, but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, that we may go and sin no more (John 8:11).
1771 text
19. As great a difficulty as this may at first appear, it vanishes away if we observe, first, That the tenth verse fixes the sense of the eighth: If we say we have no sin, in the former, being explained by, If we say we have not sinned, in the latter verse. Secondly, That the point under present consideration is not, whether we have or have not sinned heretofore: and neither of these verses assert, that we do sin, or commit sin now. Thirdly, That the ninth verse explains both the eighth and tenth; If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: as if he had said, “I have before affirmed, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. But let no man say, I need it not: I have no sin to be cleansed from. If we say that we have no sin, that we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves and make God a liar. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, not only to forgive our sins, but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, that we may go and sin no more.”