1Jo 5:18 | RWP | e4.org | We know ( οιδαμεν ). As in , ; , , . He has "ye know" in ; , . Sinneth not ( ουχ αμαρτανε ). Lineal present active indicative, "does not keep on sinning," as he has already shown in . He that was begotten of God ( ο γεννηθεις εκ του θεου ). First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct ( τηρε αυτον , not τηρε εαυτον ). It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God ( γεγεννημενος εκ του θεου as in and so different from ο γεννηθεις here). It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus ( ) uses γεγεννημα of himself and uses also τηρεω of keeping the disciples ( , ; ). The evil one ( ο πονηρος ). Masculine and personal as in , not neuter, and probably Satan as in , not just any evil man. Touchest him not ( ουχ απτετα αυτου ). Present middle indicative of απτω , elsewhere in John only . It means to lay hold of or to grasp rather than a mere superficial touch ( θιγγανω , both in ). Here the idea is to touch to harm. The devil cannot snatch such a man from Christ ( .).

‏ 1 John 5:18

We know ( οιδαμεν ). As in 3:2, 14; 5:15, 19, 20. He has "ye know" in 2:20; 3:5, 15.

Sinneth not ( ουχ αμαρτανε ). Lineal present active indicative, "does not keep on sinning," as he has already shown in 3:4-10.

He that was begotten of God ( ο γεννηθεις εκ του θεου ). First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct ( τηρε αυτον, not τηρε εαυτον ). It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God ( γεγεννημενος εκ του θεου as in 3:9 and so different from ο γεννηθεις here). It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus (Joh 18:37) uses γεγεννημα of himself and uses also τηρεω of keeping the disciples (Joh 17:12, 15; Re 3:10).

The evil one ( ο πονηρος ). Masculine and personal as in 2:13, not neuter, and probably Satan as in Mt 6:13, not just any evil man.

Touchest him not ( ουχ απτετα αυτου ). Present middle indicative of απτω, elsewhere in John only Joh 20:17. It means to lay hold of or to grasp rather than a mere superficial touch ( θιγγανω, both in Col 2:21). Here the idea is to touch to harm. The devil cannot snatch such a man from Christ (Joh 6:38f.).