1 John 3:21-22

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 1 John 3:19-21

THE VOICE OF CONSCIENCE‘And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God.’ 1 John 3:19-Ecclesiastes : St. John refers to conscience as the supreme arbiter in this awful question. Who does not know the use of the conscience? It is to the supreme honour of Greek thought that it brought into use that word... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:11-24

The Centrality of Christian Love (1 John 3:11 to 1 John 4:21 ). The reference to loving one’s brother, deliberately added almost as an appendage in 1 John 3:10 in order to introduce the next section, now leads on to that section where love is pre-eminent. Previously any emphasis has been on God’s love for His own (1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 3:1) although love of fellow-Christians has not been totally ignored (1 John 2:8-11), but from now on the thought becomes central. The emphasis has... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:16-24

Exhortation That Our Christian Love Should be Practical (1 John 3:16-24 ). As throughout John is now concerned that those he speaks to should examine their hearts to ensure that they really are true Christians. He has been speaking of faith, but now he comes down to practicalities. And his word is that those who are truly Christ’s will reveal it practically in the way that they show love to their fellow-Christians. Indeed his concern is lest they be making a profession of being Christians and... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:21-23

‘Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God, and whatever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.’ On the assumption that they have convinced themselves that their response is genuine, he now goes on to outline its significance. If their hearts do not now condemn... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 John 3:14-24

1 John 3:13-Jeremiah : . The hatred of the world is to be expected, but within the Christian brotherhood there must be love, manifesting itself in deeds of self-sacrifice in imitation of Christ’ s love. If we possess this spirit we shall be able to silence inward misgivings as to our standing before God, because we obey Him in that we believe in Christ and love one another. Such obedience ensures His indwelling, attested by the gift of His Spirit. 1 John 3:14 . The teaching is the same as... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 John 3:21

But for their not condemning us, though the expression be merely negative, it must imply somewhat positive; for there are many whose hearts condemn them not, through ignorance of their rule, or oscitancy, self-indulgence, or neglect of themselves. But if after thorough search, with sincerity in the sight of God, our hearts do not condemn, but acquit us, as upright towards him, not willing to allow ourselves in any ill temper or practice, (such as, for instance, this of not loving, or... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 John 3:22

It is supposed, where there is that accord with God, that what was last, and is next after, said implies, there will be no disposition to ask any thing disagreeable to his will, or otherwise than as he hath expressed his will about the matter of prayer. And then, whatsoever we ask, we receive, i.e. are as sure to receive it, in the kind or in equivalence, as if we had it, 1 John 5:14. Because we keep his commandments; i.e. this is the cause of our certainty, being the evidence of our state... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 1 John 3:18-24

CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES1 John 3:18. In word.—Profession, mere boasting. True love finds expression in service. “St. John hints that there is some danger of this conventionality amongst his friends, and earnestly exhorts them to genuineness.”1 John 3:20. Heart condemn.—There are always sensitive souls, who are much too ready to think evil of themselves, and distress themselves with their evil-thinking. Better never attempt to appraise our own spiritual life and progress; leave it with God,... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:19-22

1 John 3:19-22 God Greater than Our Heart. I. The subject with which these verses deal is an accusing conscience and its antidote. St. John does not say that the heart may not accuse justly. He does not say that a child of God is sinless by virtue of his relation as a child, and that his self-accusation is quieted by being pronounced groundless. It is entirely possible that one's heart may justly accuse him of sin, and that God's judgment may confirm the accusation of the heart. But he does... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - 1 John 3:20-21

DISCOURSE: 2450A GOOD AND EVIL CONSCIENCE1 John 3:20-21. If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.IN the description given us of the day of judgment, we are informed that the Judge will be seated on his throne; that certain books will be opened; and that sentence will be passed on every one according to what was recorded in them [Note: Revelation 20:12.]. Such a tribunal there is,... read more

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