We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
(See 1 John 3:9.)
We know. Thrice repeated (1 John 5:19-20), to enforce the three truths which the words preface, as matters of the brethren's joint experimental knowledge. This 1 John 5:18 warns against abusing 1 John 5:16-17, as warranting carnal security.
Whosoever - `everyone who,' etc. Not only advanced believers, but everyone who is born again, "sinneth not."
He that is begotten, х genneetheis (G1080), aorist] - was (once for all) "begotten of God;" in the beginning it is perfect, "is begotten" х gegenneemenos (G1080)], as a continuing state.
Keepeth himself. Vulgate, 'The having been begotten of God [Latin: generatio Dei] keepeth HIM;' so B х auton (G846)]: 'He having been begotten of God, it (the divine generation implied in the nominative pendent) keepeth him.' So 1 John 3:9, "his seed remaineth in him." But 'Aleph (') A read х heauton (G1438)] 'himself,' as the English version. God's working by His Spirit, and man's working under that Spirit as a responsible agent, often occurs. That God must keep us, if we are to keep ourselves from evil, is certain. Compare John 17:15; 1 Peter 1:5.
That wicked one toucheth him not - so as to hurt him. In so far as he realizes his regeneration-life, the prince of this world hath nothing in him to fasten his deadly temptations on, as in Christ's case (John 14:30). His divine regeneration severed once for all his connection with the prince of this world.