1 John 5:18

4. Summarizing conclusion, with final admonition, 1 John 5:18-21.

18. Sinneth not The continuous present again. For the very case presented above of a sin committed by a brother, which is not unto death, presupposes that the regenerate can and does commit a sin. He does not live in the practice of sin as an unregenerate does. See notes on 1 John 3:8-9. He does not, like the Nicolaitan, live in unrighteousness, and say it is not sin. He does not, like the regular sinner, sin without repugnance or repentance, as if it were natural and congenial to him.

Keepeth himself Watches and guards himself. Unless he does this he loses his regenerate character. the character incompatible with free sinning.

Wicked one The devil.

Toucheth him not Rather, gets not possession of him; that is, so long as he keepeth himself. Keepeth and toucheth are instances of the continuous present tense.