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The True God
These verses end 1 John with three strong statements beginning, “We know”. They contrast belonging to God with the evil one’s power, then finish with a direct warning to keep away from idols.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this closing part of the letter, the writer gathers key truths together. He speaks about people born of God, the evil one, the Son of God coming, knowing the true one, and being in his Son Jesus Christ. The final sentence is a brief command to “little children”.
1 John 5:18–21Main takeaway
This passage teaches that believers belong to God, know the true God through his Son Jesus Christ, and must guard themselves from idols.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Born of God and guardedThe first statement says, “We know” that whoever is born of God “doesn’t sin”. In this letter setting, that is given as a mark of life from God.
Explanation
The first statement says, “We know” that whoever is born of God “doesn’t sin”. In this letter setting, that is given as a mark of life from God. The verse also says the one born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him. The stress is on God-given life and careful keeping.
02Two different spiritual loyaltiesNext, the writer draws a sharp contrast. “We are of God” describes believers’ identity and source.
Explanation
Next, the writer draws a sharp contrast. “We are of God” describes believers’ identity and source. Then he says “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one”. The passage does not blur these together. It presents two different realities: belonging to God, and a world under the evil one’s power.
03The Son gives understandingThe third “We know” explains why believers can know the true one. The Son of God has come and has given understanding.
Explanation
The third “We know” explains why believers can know the true one. The Son of God has come and has given understanding. That understanding is for knowing “him who is true”. The verse then says, “we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ”. The closing line identifies him as “the true God and eternal life”.
04A short final warningAfter these truths, the letter ends with a tender address and a command: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Explanation
After these truths, the letter ends with a tender address and a command: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” The warning fits the passage. If believers know the true God through his Son, they must stay away from false objects of worship or devotion that compete with him.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What are the three things this passage says “We know”?
List the three statements in order from verses 18, 19, and 20, and notice how each one builds the passage’s confidence.
02How does verse 19 contrast believers with “the whole world”?
Look for the exact phrases about identity and power: “we are of God” and “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one”.
03Why does the command about idols make sense after verse 20?
Verse 20 speaks about knowing “him who is true” and being in his Son Jesus Christ, so verse 21 warns against turning to anything false instead.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 John 5:18–21
18We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him.
19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.