1 John 5:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having instructed us about which sin is unto death and which is not unto death, he then indicates who can sin unto death. He says that one adopted by God can never be sick with sin, whether unto death or not unto death.

For once he has given himself to Christ, who dwells in him through adoption, he remains untouched by sin.

Yet lest anyone think that his nature is transformed and already becomes uncatchable by sin, he adds: "he keeps himself." That is, if he does not keep and guard himself from the evil one, he will certainly sin.

Thus he does not attain sinlessness by nature, but by the great gift of God. Having adopted us, God has counted us worthy of such grace that, by preserving and keeping the gift bestowed on us by Him, we are able not to sin.

If you have once fallen into temptation, beware from then on. For it is written: "He who is born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him." Before beginning a deed, picture its end to yourself. Before a quarrel, blame Satan for it. For it is written that "he who is born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him."

This, however, should not be understood of every kind of sin, but only of mortal sins. Concerning the one who does not wish to restrain and cleanse himself from them, one should not pray, as the Apostle John himself says. But from those sins called sins not unto death, even the most faithful servants of Christ cannot be free, however attentively they guard themselves against them.

When the Apostle says that everyone born of God does not sin, he does not mean that one born of God, that is, regenerated into the life of grace through the mystery of baptism, no longer sins and becomes forever pure from every sin. This would not agree with his teaching set forth above.

In the first chapter of the epistle we read: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn 1:8). Also: "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us" (1 Jn 1:10).

For the Apostle, the phrase "does not sin" means: he does not give himself over to sin. Sin does not have dominion over him.

"We know that everyone born of God does not sin." The Apostle repeats this expression several times concerning the sinlessness of the children of God. Yet this conception of believers must be understood ideally, as the right and possibility for the believer both to abstain from sin and, in the event of a fall, to be cleansed from it.

Therefore some ancient heretics and modern sectarians understand these words of the Apostle literally in vain. Having received baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit in this mystery, they consider themselves already sinless and perfect.

They even think that they are unable to commit sin. Therefore, in their opinion, they need no other mysteries or instructions, nor any labors of repentance and perfection.

The last four verses form, as it were, the conclusion of the whole epistle. With the deliberate indication "we know," the apostle in three verses repeats the essence of all that he has set forth at length throughout the epistle.

Believers must especially impress this upon their mind and memory. The last verse, with the exclamation "children," is the final brief and powerful concluding word. Yet it has a connection with the general final conclusion, although the epistle ends with an aphorism.

"We know" (v. 18) through faith in Christ Jesus, who has enlightened us with the light of His knowledge of the divine mysteries (1 Jn 2:27), and from revelation and the inward testimony of the Spirit.

The sinfulness of the world and the relation of sin to regeneration (1 Jn 5:18-21). "We know that whoever is born of God does not sin," that is, mortally. We know "that the whole world lies in evil," filled with vices and vile passions. We also know that "the Son of God has come and has given us light and understanding" (1 Jn 5:20). That is, He has given us true knowledge, so that we may keep ourselves from everything inconsistent with the holiness of our sonship before God in His Son, Jesus Christ.

In concluding the Epistle, the apostle reminds Christians of their high dignity. By this he makes known that sins should be impossible for them.

First, they have been regenerated by God. Second, they are morally obliged to keep themselves in accordance with their great election. Third, the chief author of evil, the devil, has been conquered by the Redeemer of Christians and does not dare touch them.

Desiring with authority to move Christians toward virtue, the apostle speaks so confidently of their moral powers that the impossibility of their sins is presented as already existing.

In conclusion (5:18-21), the Apostle briefly sets forth the chief thoughts of the Epistle. He says that one born of God does not sin, because he keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him. Christians are of God, while the world, that is, unbelievers, lies in evil. The Son of God, who came to earth, gave us light and understanding for the true knowledge of God and for receiving eternal life, that is, salvation. All this should move Christians to keep themselves from idols, meaning from idolatry and godlessness in general, as a state opposed to the true faith.

If, by doing what is righteous, a man has his being from God, then sin and righteousness cannot exist together. It is therefore clear that, so long as a man acts in this way, he is righteous and does not sin. Then John gives a warning, since such a man is a son of God by his own will, not by nature. Accordingly he adds: but he keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him.