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Selected Verse: 1 John 5:19 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Jo 5:19	Strong Concordance	And we know [1492] that [3754] we are [2070] of [1537] God [2316], and [2532] the whole [3650] world [2889] lieth [2749] in [1722] wickedness [4190].
	King James	And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
world lieth in wickedness--rather, "lieth in the wicked one," as the Greek is translated in Jo1 5:18; Jo1 2:13-14; compare Jo1 4:4; Joh 17:14-15. The world lieth in the power of, and abiding in, the wicked one, as the resting-place and lord of his slaves; compare "abideth in death," Jo1 3:14; contrast Jo1 5:20, "we are in Him that is true." While the believer has been delivered out of his power, the whole world lieth helpless and motionless still in it, just as it was; including the wise, great, respectable, and all who are not by vital union in Christ.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

world lieth in wickedness--rather, "lieth in the wicked one," as the Greek is translated in Jo1 5:18; Jo1 2:13-14; compare Jo1 4:4; Joh 17:14-15. The world lieth in the power of, and abiding in, the wicked one, as the resting-place and lord of his slaves; compare "abideth in death," Jo1 3:14; contrast Jo1 5:20, "we are in Him that is true." While the believer has been delivered out of his power, the whole world lieth helpless and motionless still in it, just as it was; including the wise, great, respectable, and all who are not by vital union in Christ.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 Jo1 3:14; Ti2 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, Jo1 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 Jo1 2:13, "Ye have overcome the "wicked" one;" Jo1 5:14, "ye have overcome the "wicked" one;" Jo1 3:12, "who was of that "wicked" one." See also the notes at Co2 4:4, on the expression "the god of this world;" Joh 12:31, where he is called "the prince of this 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 pagan world. Compare Eph 6:12; Co1 10:20. In regard to the fact that the pagan world was pervaded by wickedness, see the notes at Rom 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 Ti2 2:26.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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 Jo1 3:14; Ti2 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, Jo1 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 Jo1 2:13, "Ye have overcome the "wicked" one;" Jo1 5:14, "ye have overcome the "wicked" one;" Jo1 3:12, "who was of that "wicked" one." See also the notes at Co2 4:4, on the expression "the god of this world;" Joh 12:31, where he is called "the prince of this 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 pagan world. Compare Eph 6:12; Co1 10:20. In regard to the fact that the pagan world was pervaded by wickedness, see the notes at Rom 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 Ti2 2:26.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
We are of God (ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐσμέν) For the phrase εἷναι ἐκ to be from, see on Joh 1:46. For ἐσμέν we are, see on Jo1 3:1. John expresses the relation of believers to God by the following phrases: To be born or begotten of God, γεννηθῆναι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ (Jo1 5:1; Jo1 2:29; Jo1 4:7): denoting the initial communication of the new life. To be of God, εἷναι ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ (Joh 8:47; Jo1 3:10; Jo1 4:6): denoting the essential connection in virtue of the new life. Child of God, τέκνον Θεοῦ (Joh 1:12; Jo1 3:1, Jo1 3:10): denoting the relation established by the new life. World (κόσμος) See on Joh 1:9. Lieth (κεῖται) The word is stronger than ἐστι is, indicating the passive, unprogressive state in the sphere of Satan's influence. "While we are from God, implying a birth and a proceeding forth, and a change of state, the κόσμος the world, all the rest of mankind, remains in the hand of the evil one" (Alford). In wickedness (ἐν τῷ πονηρῷ) Rev., better, in the evil one. The expression to lie in has a parallel in Sophocles' "Antigone:" ἐν ὑμῖν γὰρ ὡς Θεῷ κείμεθα τλάμονες "Wretched we lie in you as in a god" (247).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
We know that we are children of God - By the witness and the fruit of his Spirit, Jo1 3:24. But the whole world - All who have not his Spirit, not only is "touched" by him, but by idolatry, fraud, violence lasciviousness, impiety, all manner of wickedness. Lieth in the wicked one - Void of life, void of sense. In this short expression 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.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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 colors; 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.

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²⁰ And [1161] we know [1492] that [3754] the Son [5207] of God [2316] is come [2240], and [2532] hath given [1325] us [2254] an understanding [1271], that [2443] we may know [1097] him that is true [228], and [2532] we are [2070] in [1722] him that is true [228], even in [1722] his [846] Son [5207] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]. This [3778] is [2076] the true [228] God [2316], and [2532] eternal [166] life [2222].

¹⁴ We know [1492] that [3754] we [2249] have passed [3327] from [1537] death [2288] unto [1519] life [2222], because [3754] we love [25] the brethren [80]. He that loveth [25] not [3361] his brother [80] abideth [3306] in [1722] death [2288].

¹⁴ I [1473] have given [1325] them [846] thy [4675] word [3056]; and [2532] the world [2889] hath hated [3404] them [846], because [3754] they are [1526] not [3756] of [1537] the world [2889], even as [2531] I [1473] am [1510] not [3756] of [1537] the world [2889].
¹⁵ I pray [2065] not [3756] that [2443] thou shouldest take [142] them [846] out of [1537] the world [2889], but [235] that [2443] thou shouldest keep [5083] them [846] from [1537] the evil [4190].

⁴ Ye [5210] are [2075] of [1537] God [2316], little children [5040], and [2532] have overcome [3528] them [846]: because [3754] greater [3187] is he that is [2076] in [1722] you [5213], than [2228] he that is in [1722] the world [2889].

¹³ I write [1125] unto you [5213], fathers [3962], because [3754] ye have known [1097] him that is from [575] the beginning [746]. I write [1125] unto you [5213], young men [3495], because [3754] ye have overcome [3528] the wicked one [4190]. I write [1125] unto you [5213], little children [3813], because [3754] ye have known [1097] the Father [3962].
¹⁴ I have written [1125] unto you [5213], fathers [3962], because [3754] ye have known [1097] him that is from [575] the beginning [746]. I have written [1125] unto you [5213], young men [3495], because [3754] ye are [2075] strong [2478], and [2532] the word [3056] of God [2316] abideth [3306] in [1722] you [5213], and [2532] ye have overcome [3528] the wicked one [4190].

¹⁸ We know [1492] that [3754] whosoever [3956] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316] sinneth [264] not [3756]; but [235] he that is begotten [1080] of [1537] God [2316] keepeth [5083] himself [1438], and [2532] that wicked one [4190] toucheth [680] him [846] not [3756].

²⁶ And [2532] that they may recover themselves [366] out of [1537] the snare [3803] of the devil [1228], who are taken captive [2221] by [5259] him [846] at [1519] his [1565] will [2307].

²¹ Because [1360] that, when they knew [1097] God [2316], they glorified [1392] him not [3756] as [5613] God [2316], neither [2228] were thankful [2168]; but [235] became vain [3154] in [1722] their [846] imaginations [1261], and [2532] their [846] foolish [801] heart [2588] was darkened [4654].
²² Professing themselves [5335] to be [1511] wise [4680], they became fools [3471],
²³ And [2532] changed [236] the glory [1391] of the uncorruptible [862] God [2316] into [1722] an image [1504] made like [3667] to corruptible [5349] man [444], and [2532] to birds [4071], and [2532] fourfooted beasts [5074], and [2532] creeping things [2062].
²⁴ Wherefore [1352] God [2316] also [2532] gave [3860] them [846] up [3860] to [1519] uncleanness [167] through [1722] the lusts [1939] of their own [846] hearts [2588], to dishonour [818] their own [846] bodies [4983] between [1722] themselves [1438]:
²⁵ Who [3748] changed [3337] the truth [225] of God [2316] into [1722] a lie [5579], and [2532] worshipped [4573] and [2532] served [3000] the creature [2937] more than [3844] the Creator [2936], who [3739] is [2076] blessed [2128] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
²⁶ For [1223] this [5124] cause God [2316] gave [3860] them [846] up [3860] unto [1519] vile [819] affections [3806]: for [1063] even [5037] their [846] women [2338] did change [3337] the natural [5446] use [5540] into [1519] that which is against [3844] nature [5449]:
²⁷ And [5037] likewise [3668] also [2532] the men [730], leaving [863] the natural [5446] use [5540] of the woman [2338], burned [1572] in [1722] their [846] lust [3715] one toward another [1519] [240]; men [730] with [1722] men [730] working [2716] that which is unseemly [808], and [2532] receiving [618] in [1722] themselves [1438] that recompence [489] of their [846] error [4106] which [3739] was meet [1163].
²⁸ And [2532] even as [2531] they did [1381] not [3756] like [1381] to retain [2192] God [2316] in [1722] their knowledge [1922], God [2316] gave [3860] them [846] over [3860] to [1519] a reprobate [96] mind [3563], to do [4160] those things which are [2520] not [3361] convenient [2520];
²⁹ Being filled with [4137] all [3956] unrighteousness [93], fornication [4202], wickedness [4189], covetousness [4124], maliciousness [2549]; full [3324] of envy [5355], murder [5408], debate [2054], deceit [1388], malignity [2550]; whisperers [5588],
³⁰ Backbiters [2637], haters of God [2319], despiteful [5197], proud [5244], boasters [213], inventors [2182] of evil things [2556], disobedient [545] to parents [1118],
³¹ Without understanding [801], covenantbreakers [802], without natural affection [794], implacable [786], unmerciful [415]:
³² Who [3748] knowing [1921] the judgment [1345] of God [2316], that [3754] they which commit [4238] such things [5108] are [1526] worthy [514] of death [2288], not [3756] only [3440] do [4160] the same [846], but [235] [2532] have pleasure [4909] in them that do [4238] them.

²⁰ But [235] I say, that [3754] the things which [3739] the Gentiles [1484] sacrifice [2380], they sacrifice [2380] to devils [1140], and [2532] not [3756] to God [2316]: and [1161] I would [2309] not [3756] that ye [5209] should have [1096] fellowship [2844] with devils [1140].

¹² For [3754] we [2254] wrestle [3823] not [3756] against [2076] [4314] flesh [4561] and [2532] blood [129], but [235] against [4314] principalities [746], against [4314] powers [1849], against [4314] the rulers [2888] of the darkness [4655] of this [5127] world [165], against [4314] spiritual [4152] wickedness [4189] in [1722] high [2032] places.

² Wherein [1722] [3739] in time past [4218] ye walked [4043] according to [2596] the course [165] of this [5127] world [2889], according to [2596] the prince [758] of the power [1849] of the air [109], the spirit [4151] that now [3568] worketh [1754] in [1722] the children [5207] of disobedience [543]:

³¹ Now [3568] is [2076] the judgment [2920] of this [5127] world [2889]: now [3568] shall [1544] the prince [758] of this [5127] world [2889] be cast [1544] out [1854].

⁴ In [1722] whom [3739] the god [2316] of this [5127] world [165] hath blinded [5186] the minds [3540] of them which believe not [571], lest [1519] [3361] the light [5462] of the glorious [1391] gospel [2098] of Christ [5547], who [3739] is [2076] the image [1504] of God [2316], should shine [826] unto them [846].

¹² Not [3756] as [2531] Cain [2535], who was [2258] of [1537] that wicked one [4190], and [2532] slew [4969] his [846] brother [80]. And [2532] wherefore [5484] [5101] slew [4969] he him [846]? Because [3754] his own [846] works [2041] were [2258] evil [4190], and [1161] his [846] brother's [80] righteous [1342].

¹⁴ And [2532] this [3778] is [2076] the confidence [3954] that [3739] we have [2192] in [4314] him [846], that [3754], if [1437] we ask [154] any thing [5100] according [2596] to his [846] will [2307], he heareth [191] us [2257]:

¹² For [1223] the which [3739] cause [156] I [3958] also [2532] suffer [3958] these things [5023]: nevertheless [235] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870]: for [1063] I know [1492] whom [3739] I have believed [4100], and [2532] am persuaded [3982] that [3754] he is [2076] able [1415] to keep [5442] that which I [3450] have committed unto him [3866] against [1519] that [1565] day [2250].

⁹ That was [2258] the true [228] Light [5457], which [3739] lighteth [5461] every man [3956] [444] that cometh [2064] into [1519] the world [2889].

¹⁰ In [1722] this [5129] the children [5043] of God [2316] are [2076] manifest [5318], and [2532] the children [5043] of the devil [1228]: whosoever [3956] doeth [4160] not [3361] righteousness [1343] is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] God [2316], neither [2532] he that loveth [25] not [3361] his [846] brother [80].

¹ Behold [1492], what manner [4217] of love [26] the Father [3962] hath bestowed [1325] upon us [2254], that [2443] we should be called [2564] the sons [5043] of God [2316]: therefore [1223] [5124] the world [2889] knoweth [1097] us [2248] not [3756], because [3754] it knew [1097] him [846] not [3756].

¹² But [1161] as many as [3745] received [2983] him [846], to them [846] gave he [1325] power [1849] to become [1096] the sons [5043] of God [2316], even to them that believe [4100] on [1519] his [846] name [3686]:

⁶ We [2249] are [2070] of [1537] God [2316]: he that knoweth [1097] God [2316] heareth [191] us [2257]; he that [3739] is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] God [2316] heareth [191] not [3756] us [2257]. Hereby [1537] [5127] know we [1097] the spirit [4151] of truth [225], and [2532] the spirit [4151] of error [4106].

⁴⁷ He that is [5607] of [1537] God [2316] heareth [191] God's [2316] words [4487]: ye [5210] therefore [5124] [1223] hear [191] them not [3756], because [3754] ye are [2075] not [3756] of [1537] God [2316].

⁷ Beloved [27], let us love [25] one another [240]: for [3754] love [26] is [2076] of [1537] God [2316]; and [2532] every one [3956] that loveth [25] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316], and [2532] knoweth [1097] God [2316].

²⁹ If [1437] ye know [1492] that [3754] he is [2076] righteous [1342], ye know [1097] that [3754] every one [3956] that doeth [4160] righteousness [1343] is born [1080] of [1537] him [846].

¹ Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] that [3754] Jesus [2424] is [2076] the Christ [5547] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316]: and [2532] every one [3956] that loveth [25] him that begat [1080] loveth [25] him also [2532] that is begotten [1080] of [1537] him [846].

⁴⁶ And [2532] Nathanael [3482] said [2036] unto him [846], Can [1410] there any [5100] good thing [18] come [1511] out of [1537] Nazareth [3478]? Philip [5376] saith [3004] unto him [846], Come [2064] and [2532] see [1492].

²⁴ And [2532] he that keepeth [5083] his [846] commandments [1785] dwelleth [3306] in [1722] him [846], and [2532] he [846] in [1722] him [846]. And [2532] hereby [1722] [5129] we know [1097] that [3754] he abideth [3306] in [1722] us [2254], by [1537] the Spirit [4151] which [3739] he hath given [1325] us [2254].