1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, &c.] Not to one other; for though it is our duty to confess our faults to our fellow creatures and fellow Christians which are committed against them, yet are under no obligation to confess such as are more immediately against God, and which lie between him and ourselves; or at least it is sufficient to confess and acknowledge in general what sinful creatures we are, without entering into particulars; for confession of sin is to be made to God, against whom it is committed, and who only can pardon: and a man that truly confesses his sin is one that the Spirit of God has convinced of it, and has shown him its exceeding sinfulness, and filled him with a godly sorrow for…”

“confess--with the lips, speaking from a contrite heart; involving also confession to our fellow men of offenses committed against them. he--God. faithful--to His own promises; "true" to His word. just--Not merely the mercy, but the justice or righteousness of God is set forth in the redemption of the penitent believer in Christ. God's promises of mercy, to which He is faithful, are in accordance with His justice. to--Greek, "in order that." His forgiving us our sins and cleansing us, &c., is in furtherance of the ends of His eternal faithfulness and justice. forgive--remitting the guilt. cleanse--purify from all filthiness, so that henceforth we more and more become free from the presence of…”

“If we confess our sins - Pardon in the Scriptures, always supposes that there is confession, and there is no promise that it will be imparted unless a full acknowledgment has been made. Compare Psalms 51:0; Psalms 32:1-11;; Luke 15:18 ff; Luke 7:41 ff; Proverbs 28:13. He is faithful - To his promises. He will do what he has assured us he will do in remitting them. And just to forgive us our sins - The word “just” here cannot be used in a strict and proper sense, since the forgiveness of sins is never an act of justice, but is an act of mercy. If it were an act of justice it could be demanded or enforced, and that is the same as to say that it is not forgiveness, for in that case there could…”

“But if with a penitent and believing heart, we confess our sins, he is faithful - Because he had promised this blessing, by the unanimous voice of all his prophets. Just - Surely then he will punish: no; for this very reason he will pardon. This may seem strange; but upon the evangelical principle of atonement and redemption, it is undoubtedly true; because, when the debt is paid, or the purchase made, it is the part of equity to cancel the bond, and consign over the purchased possession. Both to forgive us our sins - To take away all the guilt of them. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - To purify our souls from every kind and every degree of it. 1 John 1:10”

“1:9 To maintain continual fellowship with God, we need to confess our sins to him. Forgiveness and cleansing are guaranteed because God is faithful to his promises and because he acts on the basis of his justice. Christ’s death for our sins fulfills God’s justice and acquits us of our guilt.”

“we confess: Lev 26:40-42; Kg1 8:47; Ch2 6:37, Ch2 6:38; Neh 1:6, 9:2-37; Job 33:27, Job 33:28; Psa 32:5, Psa 51:2-5; Pro 28:13; Dan. 9:4-20; Mat 3:6; Mar 1:5; Act 19:18 he is: Deu 7:9; Lam 3:23; Co1 1:9; Ti1 1:15; Heb 10:23, Heb 11:11 just: Isa 45:21; Zac 9:9; Rom 3:26; Heb 6:10; Rev 15:3 and to: Jo1 1:7; Psa 19:12, Psa 51:2; Jer 33:8; Eze 36:25, Eze 37:23; Co1 6:11; Eph 5:26; Tit 2:14 1 John 1:10”