1 John 5 · Verse 18

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.
1 John 5:18, King James Version

1 John 5:18 in other translations

BSBWe 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.
WEBWe know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him.
ASVWe know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.
YLTWe have known that every one who hath been begotten of God doth not sin, but he who was begotten of God doth keep himself, and the evil one doth not touch him;
DARBYWe know that every one begotten of God does not sin, but he that has been begotten of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
BBEWe are certain that one who is a child of God will do no sin, but the Son of God keeps him so that he is not touched by the Evil One.
WebsterWe know that whoever is born of God, sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

What does 1 John 5:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. (1Jo 3:9.) We know--Thrice repeated emphatically, to enforce the three truths which the words preface, as matters of the brethren's joint experimental knowledge. This 1Jo 5:18 warns against abusing 1Jo 5:16, 17, as warranting carnal security. whosoever--Greek, "every one who." Not only advanced believers, but every one who is born again, "sinneth not." he that is begotten--Greek aorist, "has been (once for all in past time) begotten of God"; in the beginning of the verse it is perfect. "Is begotten," or "born," as a continuing state. keepeth himself--The Vulgate translates, "The having been begotten of God keepeth HIM" (so one of the oldest manuscripts reads): so Alford. Literally, "He having been begotten of God (nominative pendent), it (the divine generation implied in the nominative) keepeth him." So 1Jo 3:9, "His seed remaineth in him." Still, in English Version reading, God's working by His Spirit inwardly, and man's working under the power of that Spirit as a responsible agent, is what often occurs elsewhere. That God must keep us, if we are to keep ourselves from evil, is certain. Compare Joh 17:15 especially with this verse. that wicked one toucheth him not--so as to hurt him. In so far as he realizes his regeneration-life, the prince of this world hath nothing in him to fasten his deadly temptations on, as in Christ's own case. His divine regeneration has severed once for all his connection with the prince of this world.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not. Is not habitually and characteristically a sinner; does not ultimately and finally sin and perish; cannot, therefore, commit the unpardonable sin, Though he may fall into sin, and grieve his brethren, yet we are never to cease to pray for a true Christian; we are never to feel that he has committed the sin which has never forgiveness, and that he has thrown himself beyond the reach of our prayers. This passage, in its connexion, is a full proof that a true Christian will never commit the unpardonable sin, and, therefore, is a proof that he will never fall from grace. Comp. Heb 6:4, seq. Heb 10:26. On the meaning of the assertion here made, that "whosoever is born of God sinneth not," 1Jn 3:6, seq.

Keepeth himself. It is not said that he does it by his own strength, but he will put forth his best efforts to keep himself from sin, and by Divine assistance he will be able to accomplish it. Comp. 1Jn 3:3; Jude 1:21.

And that wicked one toucheth him not. The great enemy of all good is repelled in his assaults, and he is kept from falling into his snares.

The word toucheth (απτεται) is used here in the sense of harm or injure.

(+) "begotten" "born" (d) "keepeth himself" Rom 5:20,21

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 Whosoever is born of God sinneth not - This is spoken of adult Christians; they are cleansed from all unrighteousness, consequently from all sin, 1Jn 1:7-9. Keepeth himself - That is, in the love of God, Jde 1:21, by building up himself on his most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; and that wicked one - the devil, toucheth him not - finds nothing of his own nature in him on which he can work, Christ dwelling in his heart by faith.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 John 5:18-21
All mankind are divided into two parties or dominions; that which belongs to God, and that which belongs to the wicked one. True believers belong to God: they are of God, and from him, and to him, and for him; while the rest, by far the greater number, are in the power of the wicked one; they do his works, and support his cause. This general declaration includes all unbelievers, whatever their profession, station, or situation, or by whatever name they may be called. The Son leads believers to the Father, and they are in the love and favour of both; in union with both, by the indwelling and working of the Holy Spirit. Happy are those to whom it is given to know that the Son of God is come, and to have a heart to trust in and rely on him that is true! May this be our privilege; we shall thus be kept from all idols and false doctrines, and from the idolatrous love of worldly objects, and be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto eternal salvation. To this living and true God, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 John 5:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἴδαμενoidamenWe know
ὅτιhotithatG3754
πᾶςpaseveryoneG3956
ὁhowhoG3588
γεγεννημένοςgegennēmenosbornG1080
ἐκekofG1537
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ,theouGodG2316
οὐχouchnotG3756
ἁμαρτάνει·hamartaneicontinues to sin;G264
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ὁhothe [One]G3588
γεννηθεὶςgennētheishaving been begottenG1080
ἐκekofG1537
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
τηρεῖtēreiprotectsG5083
ἑαυτόν,he'autonhimself,G1438
καὶkaiandG2532
ὁhotheG3588
πονηρὸςponērosevil [one]G4190
οὐχouchnotG3756
ἅπτεταιhaptetaidoes touchG681
αὐτοῦ.autouhim.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 John 5:18

  • 1 John 3:9

    Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

  • 1 John 5:4

    For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

  • Jude 1:21

    Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

  • 1 John 5:1

    Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

  • 1 Peter 1:23

    Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

  • 1 John 3:3

    And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

  • James 1:27

    Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

  • 1 John 2:29

    If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

  • Psalms 119:101

    I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

  • John 15:9

    As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

  • Revelation 3:8-10

    I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whosoever.
1,4; 2:29; 3:9; 4:6; Joh 1:13; 3:2-5; Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23
keepeth.
21; 3:3; Ps 17:4; 18:23; 39:1; 119:101; Pr 4:23; Joh 15:4,7,9
Ac 11:23; Jas 1:27; Jude 1:21,24; Re 2:13; 3:8-10
wicked.
2:13,14; 3:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 John 5:17

    All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

  • 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.

  • 1 John 5:19

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

Read all of 1 John 5

1 John 5:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Sabemos que cualquiera que es nacido de Dios, no peca; mas el que es engendrado de Dios, se guarda á sí mismo, y el maligno no le toca.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Nous savons que quiconque est né de Dieu ne pèche pas, mais celui qui est né de Dieu se conserve lui-même, et le méchant ne le touche pas.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wir wissen, daß jeder, der aus Gott geboren ist, nicht sündigt; sondern der aus Gott Geborene bewahrt sich, und der Böse tastet ihn nicht an.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Scimus quia omnis qui natus est ex Deo, non peccat: sed generatio Dei conservat eum, et malignus non tangit eum.