New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Commentaries:
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1 John 5:18-19
"Wicked" renders into English the Greek poneros, an adjective that denotes an active, malignant kind of evil. It refers to what is not only ugly and useless, but to what is injurious and destructive. Like a cancer to the human race, Satan is aggressively engaged in destruction and causing pain, injury, and death.
Clyde Finklea
Behind Enemy Lines (Part Two)Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing 1 John 5:18:
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What Does 1 John 5:18 Mean?
"Wicked" translates the Greek poneros, an active, malignant evil that is injurious and destructive. Like a cancer, Satan aggressively causes pain, injury, and death. An alternate, preferred translation clarifies that God keeps the believer, much as He placed a hedge around Job, prompting Satan's complaint. This guarding answers Jesus' prayer in John 17:12 and 15, where He asked the Father to keep His followers from the evil one rather than remove them from the world. God knows His children's limits and Satan's power, jealously protecting them from the worst temptations. One born of God does not practice sin habitually, though he may stumble out of weakness. Unlike the world, led by Satan, this little flock refuses to follow the wicked one.