Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 John 5:18

"We 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." — 1 John 5:18 (ASV)

John concludes by stating three certainties that characterize his position over against the false teachers: (1) We know that anyone born of God does not continue in sin (v.18). (2) We know that we are the children of God (v.19). (3) We know that the Son of God has come and has given us certain, definite knowledge about himself (v.20). John has never wavered from the priority of the ethical requirement, nor does he do so now. Christians must not walk in darkness (1:7). They must not hate their fellow believers (2:10). They must not live a life of sin (3:6).

However noble the sentiments expressed by the false teachers, the test of the truth of God is conduct. A sinful life is totally incompatible with the life received from God. John is not unaware of the difficulties involved in living the new life or of the quality of the opposition from the evil one. He knows the wiles of the evil one and expects them. Nonetheless, he has been adamant in his confidence that the evil one need not prevail, because of the presence of the power of God in the believer.

Already John has shown that if those who live in God do not sin (3:6), no one born of God and possessing the divine life of God will fall victim to the life of sin (3:9). To this he now adds that the Son of God himself (i.e., “the one who was born of God”) will keep him safe from the evil one (see comment on 2:13b). The phrase “keeps safe” (GK 5498) recalls Jesus’ words in Jn 17:12, 15.