1 John 5:19

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.

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Simplified Cowboy Version
We know we ride for God even though everyone else rides for the devil.

Bible in Basic English
We are certain that we are of God, but all the world is in the power of the Evil One.

Darby Translation
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the wicked [one].

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

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
but he that is born of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not. We know, that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the wicked one.

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

King James Version (1611)
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickednesse.

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

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
We knowe that we are of God, & the worlde is set alltogether on wickednes.

Mace New Testament (1729)
we know that we are the children of God, and the rest of the world are subject to the evil spirit.

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].

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

Revised Standard Version
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
We knowe that we are of god and that the worlde is altogedder set on wickednes.

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

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

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

New Century Version
We know that we belong to God, but the Evil One controls the whole world.

New English Translation
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.

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

Complete Jewish Bible
We know that we are from God, and that the whole world lies in the power 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.

Geneva Bible (1587)
We knowe that we are of God, and this whole world lieth in wickednesse.

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

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

Hebrew Names Version
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power 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.Galatians 1:4;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
We know that we are of Aloha, and the whole world in the Evil is lying.

Murdock Translation
We know, that we are of God; and all the world is reposing on the evil one.

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

New Life Bible
We know that we belong to God, but the whole 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.

New Revised Standard
We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
We know that, of God, are we; and, the whole world, in the wicked one, is lying.

Douay-Rheims Bible
We know that we are of God and the whole world is seated in wickedness.

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

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

Bishop's Bible (1568)
We knowe that we are of God, & the whole worlde lieth in wickednesse.

Easy-to-Read Version
We know that we belong to God, but the Evil One controls the whole world.

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

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
We witen, that we ben of God, and al the world is set in yuel.

Contextual Overview

¹⁸ We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. ¹⁹ We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. ²⁰ And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. ²¹ Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

we know: 1 John 5:10, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:20, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:4-6, Romans 8:16, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Timothy 1:12

and the: 1 John 4:4, 1 John 4:5, John 15:18, John 15:19, Romans 1:28-32, Romans 3:9-18, Galatians 1:4, Titus 3:3, James 4:4

in wickedness: 1 John 5:18, John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:7, Revelation 20:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:21 - the imagination Isaiah 26:18 - the inhabitants Isaiah 35:7 - in the Daniel 3:7 - all the people Matthew 6:13 - deliver Matthew 7:13 - for Matthew 11:27 - neither Matthew 12:26 - his John 8:23 - ye are of John 17:9 - pray for John 17:11 - but John 17:14 - they John 17:25 - the world Acts 19:27 - whom Acts 26:18 - and from Romans 12:2 - be not 1 Corinthians 2:12 - not 1 Corinthians 5:10 - for 1 Corinthians 11:32 - condemned 2 Corinthians 5:14 - then Colossians 2:20 - living Titus 2:12 - this 1 John 2:2 - for the 1 John 2:3 - hereby 1 John 3:8 - He that 1 John 3:10 - is Revelation 9:11 - they had Revelation 16:14 - the whole

Gill's Notes on the Bible

[And] we know that we are of God,.... The sons of God, and regenerated by him; this is known by the Spirit of God, which witnesses to the spirits of the saints that they are the children of God; and by the fruits and effects of regenerating grace, as love to the brethren, and the like:

and the whole world lies in wickedness; that is, the men of the world, the greater part of the inhabitants of it, who are as they were when they came into it, not being born of God; these are addicted to sin and, wickedness; the bias of their minds is to it, they are set upon it, and give themselves up to it, are immersed in it, and are under the power of it: or "in the wicked one"; Satan, the god of this world; they are under his influence, and led according to his will, and they are governed by him, and are at his beck and command; and this is known, by sad experience, it is easy of observation;

"And cannot comprehend the things that are promised to the righteous in time to come: for this world is full of unrighteousness and infirmities.'' (2 Esdras 4:27)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And we know that we are of God - We who are Christians. The apostle supposed that true Christians might have so clear evidence on that subject as to leave no doubt on their own minds that they were the children of God. Compare 1 John 3:14; 2 Timothy 1:12.

And the whole world - The term “world” here evidently means not the material world, but the people who 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 - ἐν τῷ πονηρῷ en tō ponērō. It is true that the word πονηρῷ ponērō 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, 1 John 5:20, ἐν τῷ ἀληθινῷ en tō alēthinō, “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 usuage of the word elsewhere. Compare 1 John 2:13, “Ye have overcome the “wicked” one;” 1 John 5:14, “ye have overcome the “wicked” one;” 1 John 3:12, “who was of that “wicked” one.” See also the notes at 2 Corinthians 4:4, on the expression “the god of this world;” John 12:31, where he is called “the prince of this world;” and Ephesians 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 pagan world. Compare Ephesians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:20. In regard to the fact that the pagan world was pervaded by wickedness, see the notes at Romans 1:21-32.

(4) It may be added, that this interpretation is adopted by the most eminent critics and commentators. It is that of Calvin, Beza, Benson, Macknight, Bloomfield, Piscator, Lucke, etc. The word “lieth” here (κεῖται keitai) 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 pagan world, or of sinners in general. There would seem to be no government under which people are so little restive, and against which they have so little disposition to rebel, as that of Satan. Compare 2 Timothy 2:26.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 19. We know that we are of God — Have the fullest proof of the truth of Christianity, and of our own reconciliation to God through the death of his Son.

The whole world lieth in wickedness. — Εν τῳ πονηρῳ κειται· Lieth in the wicked one-is embraced in the arms of the devil, where it lies fast asleep and carnally secure, deriving its heat and power from its infernal fosterer. What a truly awful state! And do not the actions, tempers, propensities, opinions and maxims of all worldly men prove and illustrate this? "In this short expression," says Mr. Wesley, "the horrible state of the world is painted in the most lively colours; a comment on which we have in the actions, conversations, contracts, quarrels and friendships of worldly men." Yes, their ACTIONS are opposed to the law of God; their CONVERSATIONS shallow, simulous, and false; their CONTRACTS forced, interested, and deceitful; their QUARRELS puerile, ridiculous, and ferocious; and their FRIENDSHIPS hollow, insincere, capricious, and fickle:-all, all the effect of their lying in the arms of the wicked one; for thus they become instinct with his own spirit: and because they are of their father the devil, therefore his lusts they will do.