1 John 5:19
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1 John 5:19 in other translations
| BSB | We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. |
|---|---|
| WEB | We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. |
| ASV | We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one. |
| YLT | we have known that of God we are, and the whole world in the evil doth lie; |
| DARBY | We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the wicked one. |
| BBE | We are certain that we are of God, but all the world is in the power of the Evil One. |
| Webster | And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. |
What does 1 John 5:19 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
And the whole world. The term world here evidently means not the material world, but the people that dwell on the earth, including all idolaters, and all sinners of every grade and kind.
Lieth in wickedness. "In the wicked one," or under the power of the wicked one--εντωπονηρω. It is true that the word πονηρω may be used here in the neuter gender, as our translators have rendered it, meaning "in that which is evil," or in "wickedness;" but it may be in the masculine gender, meaning "the wicked one;" and then the sense would be that the whole world is under his control or dominion. That this is the meaning of the apostle seems to be clear, because
(1.) the corresponding phrase, (1Jn 5:20,) εντωαληθινω, "in him that is true," is evidently to be construed in the masculine, referring to God the Saviour, and meaning "him that is true," and not that we are "in truth."
(2.) It makes better sense to say that the world lies under the control of the wicked one, than to say that it lies "in wickedness."
(3.) This accords better with the other representations in the Bible, and the usage of the word elsewhere. Comp. 1Jn 2:13, "Ye have overcome the wicked one;" 1Jn 5:14," ye have overcome the wicked one;" 1Jn 3:12, "who was of that wicked one." 2Cor 4:4, on the expression "the god of this world;" Jn 12:31, where he is called "the prince of world; and Eph 2:2, where he is called "the prince of the power of the air." In all these passages it is supposed that Satan has control over the world, especially the heathen world. Comp. Eph 6:12, 1Cor 10:20. In regard to the fact that the heathen world was pervaded by wickedness, Rom 1:21, seq.
(4.) It may be added, that this interpretation is adopted by the most eminent critics and commentators. It is that of Calvin, Beza, Benson, Blacknight, Bloomfield, Piscator, Lucke, etc. The word lieth here (κειται) means, properly, to lie; to be laid; to recline; to be situated, etc. It seems here to refer to the passive and torpid state of a wicked world under the dominion of the prince of evil, as acquiescing in his reign; making no resistance; not even struggling to be free. It lies thus as a beast that is subdued, a body that is dead, or anything that is wholly passive, quiet, and inert. There is no energy; no effort to throw off the reign; no resistance; no struggling. The dominion is complete, and body and soul, individuals and nations, are entirely subject to his will. This striking expression will not unaptly, now describe the condition of the heathen world, or of sinners in general. There would seem to be no government under which men are so little restive, and against which they have so little disposition to rebel, as that of Satan. Comp. 2Ti 2:26.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
1 John 5:19 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.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 John 5:19
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
- Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
- 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. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
- Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
- Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
- John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
- John 16:11
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
- 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
- Revelation 13:7-8
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
- John 15:18-19
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth 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; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: …
- 1 John 5:10
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.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 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.
- 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:19 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Sabemos que somos de Dios, y todo el mundo está puesto en maldad. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Nous savons que nous sommes de Dieu, et que le monde entier gît dans le méchant. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Wir wissen, daß wir aus Gott sind, und die ganze Welt liegt in dem Bösen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Scimus quoniam ex Deo sumus: et mundus totus in maligno positus est. |