{If we say} (ean eip(936d)en). As in verses  6,8 . {We have
not sinned} (ouch hamart(886b)amen). Perfect active indicative of
hamartan(935c). This is a denial of any specific acts of sin, while
in verse  8  we have the denial of the principle of sin. David
Smith observes that the claim to personal perfectionism has two
causes, one the stifling of conscience in making God a liar
(pseust(886e), the word used of the devil by Jesus in  Joh 8:44 ),
and the other ignorance of God's word, which is not in us, else
we should not make such a claim.