Devine Scripture

1 John 5:19

What does 1 John 5:19 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 5:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 5:19 means

Another certainty: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.” Believers belong to God—His life, love, and truth define them. In contrast, the world is not neutral; it lies under the sway of the evil one, lulled and held. This explains the conflict believers feel and the moral chasm between church and world. Such knowledge breeds humility and watchfulness, not pride. It warns us not to cozy up to the world’s systems and invites us to live as God’s distinct people, anchored in His reality rather than the evil one’s domain.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

we have known that of God we are, and the whole world in the evil doth lie;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

We know that we are ofGod, and the whole world lies in the wicked [one].

Context

Verse 19 continues the “we know” affirmations by setting a stark contrast: God’s people versus a world under the evil one. This prepares for the final and highest certainty in verse 20—that the Son of God has come, granting understanding so we may know Him who is true, and uniting us to Him in His Son Jesus Christ. Having affirmed the true God and eternal life in the Son, John will close with a short, decisive exhortation in verse 21 to guard against idols—anything that would rival or misrepresent the true God.

v.18We 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.

v.19This passage

v.20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4

    in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.

  • Ephesians 2:2

    wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;

  • 1 John 5:13

    These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

  • Revelation 20:7

    And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

  • John 14:30

    I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;

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