1 John 5:19
New International Version
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

New Living Translation
We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

English Standard Version
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Berean Standard Bible
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

Berean Literal Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.

King James Bible
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

New King James Version
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

New American Standard Bible
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

NASB 1995
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

NASB 1977
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Legacy Standard Bible
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Amplified Bible
We know [for a fact] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] lies in the power of the evil one [opposing God and His precepts].

Christian Standard Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.

American Standard Version
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.

Contemporary English Version
We are certain we come from God and the rest of the world is under the power of the devil.

English Revised Version
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We know that we are from God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Good News Translation
We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One.

International Standard Version
We know that we are from God and that the whole world lies under the control of the evil one.

Majority Standard Bible
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

NET Bible
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

New Heart English Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Webster's Bible Translation
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Weymouth New Testament
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil one.

World English Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
we have known that we are of God, and the whole world lies [under the power] of the evil [one];

Berean Literal Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.

Young's Literal Translation
we have known that of God we are, and the whole world in the evil doth lie;

Smith's Literal Translation
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is seated in wickedness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
We know that we are of God, and that the entire world is established in wickedness.

New American Bible
We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

New Revised Standard Version
We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in The Evil One.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the wicked one.

Godbey New Testament
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.

Haweis New Testament
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of that wicked one.

Mace New Testament
we know that we are the children of God, and the rest of the world are subject to the evil spirit.

Weymouth New Testament
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil one.

Worrell New Testament
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is lying in the evil one.

Worsley New Testament
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth under the wicked one.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Concluding Remarks
18We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. 19We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. 20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.…

Cross References
John 17:15
I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.

Ephesians 2:2
in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Galatians 1:4
who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

John 12:31
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.

John 14:30
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Timothy 3:12-13
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, / while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Matthew 13:38
The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 13:8
And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Treasury of Scripture

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.

we know.

1 John 5:10,13,20
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son…

1 John 3:14,24
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death…

1 John 4:4-6
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world…

and the.

1 John 4:4,5
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world…

John 15:18,19
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you…

Romans 1:28-32
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; …

in wickedness.

1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 14:30
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

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1 John 5
1. He who loves God loves his children, and keeps his commandments;
3. which to the faithful are not grievous.
9. Jesus is the Son of God;
14. and able to hear our prayers.














We know
The phrase "We know" signifies a confident assurance and understanding that comes from faith and spiritual insight. In the Greek, the word used is "οἴδαμεν" (oidamen), which implies a deep, intuitive knowledge. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but is rooted in the experiential reality of a relationship with God. It reflects the certainty that believers have in their identity and standing before God, a theme that is consistent throughout the Johannine epistles.

that we are of God
This phrase emphasizes the identity and belonging of believers. The Greek word "ἐσμεν" (esmen) for "we are" indicates a present and continuous state of being. "Of God" signifies origin and ownership, highlighting that believers are born of God, as seen in earlier chapters of 1 John. This identity is not based on human effort but on divine action, underscoring the transformative power of being children of God. It is a reminder of the spiritual rebirth and the new creation that believers experience through faith in Jesus Christ.

and that the whole world
The term "the whole world" (Greek: "ὁ κόσμος ὅλος," ho kosmos holos) refers to the entirety of the human system that is in opposition to God. In Johannine literature, "world" often denotes the realm of human affairs that is alienated from God and under the influence of sin. This phrase sets up a stark contrast between those who are "of God" and the rest of humanity, emphasizing the pervasive nature of sin and the need for redemption.

is under the power of the evil one
The phrase "under the power of the evil one" (Greek: "ἐν τῷ πονηρῷ κεῖται," en tō ponērō keitai) describes the dominion and influence that Satan, referred to as "the evil one," has over the world. The verb "κεῖται" (keitai) suggests being situated or lying under the control of something. This highlights the spiritual battle that exists between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness. The "evil one" is a title for Satan, who is depicted as the adversary of God and His people. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for believers to remain vigilant and grounded in their faith.

Verse 19. - Omit the "and" before "we know." There is no καί or δέ in the true text; and the asyndeton is impressive. The whole world lieth in the evil one. This is the second great fact of which Christians have certainty. They, as children of God, and preserved from the evil one by his Son, have nothing to do with the world, which still lies in the power of the evil one. That "the evil" τῷ πονηρῷ is here not neuter but masculine is evident from the context, as well as from 1 John 2:13, 14; 1 John 4:4. "By saying that it lieth in the evil one (in maligno) he represents it as being under the dominion of Satan. There is, therefore, no reason why we should hesitate to shun the world, which contemns God and delivers up itself into the bondage of Satan; nor is there any reason why we should fear its enmity, because it is alienated from God" (Calvin).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
We know
οἴδαμεν (oidamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

we are
ἐσμεν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and [that]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

whole
ὅλος (holos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

world
κόσμος (kosmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

is under the power
κεῖται (keitai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2749: To lie, recline, be placed, be laid, set, specially appointed, destined. Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched.

of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

evil [one].
πονηρῷ (ponērō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.


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NT Letters: 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)
1 John 5:18
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