Verse 18
"We know" introduces this verse and the following two verses. John probably meant, We apostles know (understand) and now you readers also know in view of what I have written in this epistle.
As in 1 John 3:9, John affirmed that the basic nature of one who has God for his spiritual Parent is not to sin. The regenerate person as such is incapable of any sin. Furthermore because the new man in Christ possesses the sinless nature of the indwelling Christ, John could say that Christ keeps him from sin (cf. John 17:12; Revelation 3:10). Another view is that "he who is born of God" refers to the believer who keeps "himself" from sin. [Note: See Marshall, p. 252, footnote 37, for further discussion of the problem.] In addition, Satan cannot touch him. Evidently John restated this fundamental truth because people normally behave in harmony with what they believe themselves to be. Our behavior as Christians will be more holy when we view ourselves as children of God rather than as children of the devil.
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