Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
And we know that we are of God - We who are Christians. The apostle supposed that true Christians might have so clear evidence on that subject as to leave no doubt on their own minds that they were the children of God. Compare I John 3:14; II Timothy 1:12.
And the whole world - The term "world" here evidently means not the material world, but the people who dwell on the earth, including all idolaters, and all sinners of every grade and kind.
Lieth in wickedness - "In the wicked one," or under the power of the wicked one - ̓ ͂ͅ ͂ͅ en tō ponērō . It is true that the word ͂ͅ ponērō may be used here in the neuter gender, as our translators have rendered it, meaning "in that which is evil," or in "wickedness;" but it may be in the masculine gender, meaning "the wicked one;" and then the sense would be that the whole world is under his control or dominion. That this is the meaning of the apostle seems to be clear, because:
(1) The corresponding phrase, I John 5:20, ̓ ͂ͅ ̓͂ͅ en tō alēthinō , "in him that is true," is evidently to be construed in the masculine, referring to God the Saviour, and meaning "him that is true," and not that we are "in truth."
(2) It makes better sense to say that the world lies under the control of the wicked one, than to say that it lies "in wickedness."
(3) This accords better with the other representations in the Bible, and the usuage of the word elsewhere. Compare I John 2:13, "Ye have overcome the "wicked" one;" I John 5:14, "ye have overcome the "wicked" one;" I John 3:12, "who was of that "wicked" one." See also the notes at II Corinthians 4:4, on the expression "the god of this world;" John 12:31, where he is called "the prince of this world;" and Ephesians 2:2, where he is called "the prince of the power of the air." In all these passages it is supposed that Satan has control over the world, especially the pagan world. Compare Ephesians 6:12; I Corinthians 10:20. In regard to the fact that the pagan world was pervaded by wickedness, see the notes at Romans 1:21-32.
(4) It may be added, that this interpretation is adopted by the most eminent critics and commentators. It is that of Calvin, Beza, Benson, Macknight, Bloomfield, Piscator, Lucke, etc. The word "lieth" here ( ͂ keitai ) means, properly, to lie; to be laid; to recline; to be situated, etc. It seems here to refer to the "passive" and "torpid" state of a wicked world under the dominion of the prince of evil, as acquiescing in his reign; making no resistance; not even struggling to be free. It lies thus as a beast that is subdued, a body that is dead, or anything that is wholly passive, quiet, and inert. There is no energy; no effort to throw off the reign; no resistance; no struggling. The dominion is complete, and body and soul, individuals and nations, are entirely subject to his will. This striking expression will not unaptly now describe the condition of the pagan world, or of sinners in general. There would seem to be no government under which people are so little restive, and against which they have so little disposition to rebel, as that of Satan. Compare II Timothy 2:26.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 John 5:19:
Jonah 1:2
Matthew 20:20-28
John 16:8
2 Corinthians 5:1
1 John 5:20
Revelation 12:9
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