Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 John 3:4

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Having confirmed the discourse on righteousness by the good things that come from righteousness, the apostle now wishes to show the same from the opposite side and what is found therein, and says: "everyone who commits sin." He speaks as if to say: you who have been adopted, practice righteousness and do not show yourselves idle in it. …

Commentary on 1 John ↗

Oecumenius

Everyone who commits sin also commits iniquity, and sin is a transgression of the law. Confirmed in the previous discourse about righteousness from the good of righteous, now also takes on demonstration from the opposites and those things that happen to them, and says: "Everyone who sins." Saying something like this: You who have been adopted, do righteousness, nor present yourselves idle in this. …

Commentary on 1 John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Every one that doeth sin, doeth also iniquity." Let no man say, Sin is one thing, iniquity another: let no man say, I am a sinful man, but not a doer of iniquity. For, "Every one that doeth sin, doeth also iniquity. Sin is iniquity."

Ten Homilies on 1 John 4 ↗

Bede

Everyone who commits sin also practices lawlessness. Let no one say: sin is one thing, lawlessness another. Let no one say: I am a sinner but not lawless. For everyone who commits sin also practices lawlessness, because sin is lawlessness. The meaning of this statement is more easily understood in the Greek language in which the Epistle was written, for among them lawlessness is called ἀνομία, which means something done against or without the law, as the Greek term for law is νόμος. …

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles ↗