The first sentence takes up verse 18a, the second verse 18c. The verse contrasts the situation of the children of God and the situation of the world; compare also 2.15-17; 4.14-16.

We are of God: in the Greek of God is emphatic by position. For “to be of God” see comments on 2.16.

The whole world, or ‘all men (who live) in the world’: the noun is used here in its unfavorable sense; compare comments on 2.15, meaning (5).

Those who are of God are not included in the phrase the whole world. Some versions prefer to state this more explicitly; for example, ‘all others in this world.’

Is in the power of the evil one renders a Greek idiom, “lies in the evil one.” The verb phrase has also been rendered ‘is inside the hand of’ (in the language concerned a common idiom for being a chief’s servant), ‘is under the feet of,’ ‘is ruled/commanded by,’ ‘belongs to.’

The reference to the evil one is in the Greek emphatic by position. It contrasts with the reference to God in verse 19a.

Quoted with permission from Haas, C., de Jonge, M. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on The First Letter of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .