1 John 3:4

The current commission of sin now is the rejection of the divine law, and this is the rejection of the divine authority, and consequently of God himself. From the design and errand of the Lord Jesus in and to this world, which was to remove sin: And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin,

Whosoever committeth sin - Thereby transgresseth the holy, just, and good law of God, and so sets his authority at nought; for this is implied in the very nature of sin.

Whosoever committeth sin,....

The Greek having the article to both, implies that they are convertible terms. The Greek "sin" (hamartia) is literally, "a missing of the mark." God's will being that mark to be ever aimed at. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." The crookedness of a line is shown by being brought into juxtaposition with a straight ruler.

NOTE, beloved, the special character of Believers—their Divine relationship, their heavenly privilege—they are called, "the children of God." There is a foolish dream about the Divine Fatherhood toward all men, but it is a figment, a fiction, a delusion, a deception. The Fatherhood of God is toward as many as He has begotten again unto a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead—these are His children. As for the rest of mankind, they are heirs of wrath, even as others.

NOTE, beloved, the special character of Believers—their Divine relationship, their heavenly privilege—they are called, "the children of God." There is a foolish dream about the Divine Fatherhood toward all men, but it is a figment, a fiction, a delusion, a deception. The Fatherhood of God is toward as many as He has begotten again unto a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead—these are His children. As for the rest of mankind, they are heirs of wrath, even as others. It is the special manner of God's love that we are bidden in this chapter to "behold" as a wonder, because He has bestowed this "manner of love" upon us, "that we should be called the sons of God." And that He has not bestowed this love upon all men is evident, for it is added, "therefore the world knows us not because it knew Him not." So, you see, out of the special privilege of God's children there grows a special position which they are called to occupy. They are not of the world, even as Christ is not of the world. They become a holy people, separated unto God. I say not that all who profess the Christian name are so—that is what they ought to be, but it is to be feared that many of them have not yet reached this standard. But true Believers, the twice-born, have been regenerated by the Spirit of God. These are not of the world and the world does not understand them. They are aliens and foreigners—their manners and customs, their modes of thought and their motives are all contrary to those of the ordinary sons of men—and they have to force their way through the would as pilgrims through a Vanity Fair where there is nothing for them to purchase and nothing worthy of their attention.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law - The law of God given to man as a rule of life. The object of the apostle here is to excite them to holiness, and to deter them from committing sin, perhaps in view of the fact stated in 1Jn 3:3, that everyone who has the hope of heaven will aim to be holy like the Saviour. To confirm this, he shows them that, as a matter of fact, those who are born of God do lead lives of obedience, 1Jn 3:5-10; and this he introduces by showing what is the nature of sin, in the verse before us. The considerations by which he would deter them from indulging in sin are the following: (a) All sin is a violation of the law of God, 1Jn 3:4; (b) The very object of the coming of Christ was to deliver people from sin, 1Jn 3:5; (c) Those who are true Christians do not habitually sin, 1Jn 3:6; (d) Those who sin cannot be true Christians, but are of the devil, 1Jn 3:8; and, (e) He who is born of God has a germ or principle of true piety in him, and cannot sin, 1Jn 3:9. It seems evident that the apostle is here combating an opinion which then existed that people might sin, and yet be true Christians, 1Jn 3:7; and he apprehended that there was danger that this opinion would become prevalent. On what ground this opinion was held is unknown. […]