18. o7da,(jjsv, we know) An instance of the figure Anaphora :A see the next verses. — bn nag, that every one) Now he takes care that no one abuse, verses 16, 17, to the purpose of (carnal) security. — ysysi /vrj/tsvog) Shortly afterwards yevvriQeig. The Perfect has a loftier sound than the Aorist. An old lexicon says, u^uvrixoreg, ^sya* 6*4 /uvqeavrss d's , f. uxpov . Not only does he who has made great ad- vancement in regeneration, but any one who has been born again, keep himself. — Trips 7 lavr'ov , keepeth himself) he is not wanting to himself from within. — ou^ ann rat, toucheth him not) The regenerate is not ruined from without. The wicked one approaches, as a fly does to the candle ; but he does not injure him, he does not even touch him. The antithesis is lieth , ver. 19.
19. ’Ex, from) An abbreviated form of expression : We are from God , and we abide in God; hut the world is from the wicked one, and lies wholly in the wicked one. — sv rep rrovripp xs/ra/, lies in the wicked one) [Therefore the world can no more touch the sons of God, than the wicked one, in whom it lieth. — Y. g.] The wicked one , comp. ver. 18, is opposed to Him that is true , ver. 20. The whole world [and this universally, comprehending the learned, the respec- table, and all others, excepting those alone who have claimed them- selves for God and for Christ. — Y. g.] is not only touched by the wicked one, but altogether lies (Germ, bleiht liegen , lies motionless ), by means of idolatry, blindness, deceit, violence, lasciviousness, impiety, and all wickedness, in the evil one, destitute both of life from God and of biavoiag, understanding : see 1 Cor. v. 10, xi. 32. The dreadful condition of the world is most vividly portrayed in this brief summary. No other commentary is needed than the world itself, and the actions, discourses, contracts, strifes, brother- hoods, etc., of worldly men. [That men of the world do not perpe-
1 See Append, on this figure. — E.
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