1 John 5:19 (KJV)

What does 1 John 5:19 mean?

1 John 5:19 describes a sharp contrast between the people the writer calls “we” and the world around them. The writer speaks with confidence that these people belong to God, while the whole world lies under the influence of evil.

The word “we” includes the writer and the people addressed in the letter. After the assurance in verse 18, verse 19 places that group’s identity alongside a picture of the world lying in a condition of wickedness. The contrast gives the sentence its force.

The Greek behind 1 John 5:19

• “know” — οἶδα (oida): This word carries the sense of knowing or being sure. Here it presents the statement as a shared certainty, not merely a hope.
• “lieth” — κεῖται (keitai): This word means “lies” or “is lying.” It pictures the world as resting in a condition rather than describing one isolated act.
• “wickedness” — πονηρός (ponēros): This word means “evil” or “wicked.” In this sentence, the Greek is often understood to refer to “the evil one,” while the KJV renders it “wickedness.”

Why 1 John 5:19 matters

• The verse speaks of belonging, not location. “We are of God” identifies the group by its relationship to God, while “the whole world” describes the wider setting in which that group lives.
• The assurance fits a series of statements near the end of the letter. Verses 18, 19, and 20 each begin with “we know,” placing the contrast in verse 19 among the things the writer speaks of with certainty.
• The contrast leads into the letter’s closing warning. Verse 21 tells the readers to “keep yourselves from idols,” objects treated as gods.