1 John 3 · Verse 21

1 John 3:21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1 John 3:21, King James Version

1 John 3:21 in other translations

BSBBeloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,
WEBBeloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God;
ASVBeloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God;
YLTBeloved, if our heart may not condemn us, we have boldness toward God,
DARBYBeloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness towards God,
BBEMy loved ones, if our heart does not say that we have done wrong, we have no fear before him;
WebsterBeloved, if our heart doth not condemn us, then have we confidence towards God.

What does 1 John 3:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. Beloved--There is no "But" contrasting the two cases, 1Jo 3:20, 21, because "Beloved" sufficiently marks the transition to the case of the brethren walking in the full confidence of love (1Jo 3:18). The two results of our being able to "assure our hearts before Him" (1Jo 3:19), and of "our heart condemning us not" (of insincerity as to the truth in general, and as to LOVE in particular) are, (1) confidence toward God; (2) a sure answer to our prayers. John does not mean that all whose hearts do not condemn them, are therefore safe before God; for some have their conscience seared, others are ignorant of the truth, and it is not only sincerity, but sincerity in the truth which can save men. Christians are those meant here: knowing Christ's precepts and testing themselves by them.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not. If we so live as to have an approving conscience--that is, if we indulge in no secret sin; if we discharge faithfully every known duty; if we submit without murmuring to all the allotments of Divine Providence.

Then have we confidence toward God. Comp. 1Jn 3:19; 1Jn 2:28; Acts 24:16. The apostle evidently does not mean that we have confidence towards God on the ground of what we do, as if it were meritorious, or as if it constituted a claim to his favour; but that we may so live as to have evidence of personal piety, and that we may look forward with a confident hope that we shall be accepted of him in the great day. The word here rendered confidence--παρρησιαν--means properly boldness; usually boldness or openness in speaking our sentiments. 1Jn 2:28. The confidence or boldness which we have towards our Maker is founded solely on the evidence that he will graciously accept us as pardoned sinners; not in the belief that we deserve his favor.

(b) "heart" Job 27:6, Ps 101:2 (c) "confidence" Heb 10:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 If our heart condemn us not - If we be conscious to ourselves of our own sincerity, that we practice not deceit, and use no mask, then have we confidence toward God - we can appeal to him for our sincerity, and we can come with boldness to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. And therefore says the apostle,

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 John 3:16-21

Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of Divine love, that God would redeem the church with his own blood. Surely we should love those whom God has loved, and so loved. The Holy Spirit, grieved at selfishness, will leave the selfish heart without comfort, and full of darkness and terror. By what can it be known that a man has a true sense of the love of Christ for perishing sinners, or that the love of…

Read the full comment on 1 John 3:16-21 →

1 John 3:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

Ἀγαπητοί,AgapētoiBeloved,G27
ἐὰνeanifG1437
ἡhētheG3588
καρδίαkardiaheartG2588
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
μὴmēnotG3361
καταγινώσκῃkataginōskēshall condemnG2607
παρρησίανparrēsianconfidenceG3954
ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192
πρὸςprostowardG4314
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν,theonGod,G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 John 3:21

  • 1 John 2:28

    And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

  • Psalms 101:2

    I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

  • Psalms 7:3-5

    O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

  • 1 John 5:14

    And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

  • Job 22:26

    For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.

  • Hebrews 10:22

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • 1 John 4:17

    Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

  • Job 27:6

    My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:4

    For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

  • 1 Timothy 2:8

    I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:28; 4:17; Job 22:26; 27:6; Ps 7:3-5; 101:2; 1Co 4:4; 2Co 1:12
1Ti 2:8; Heb 4:16; 10:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 John 3:20

    For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

  • 1 John 3:21

    Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

  • 1 John 3:22

    And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Read all of 1 John 3

1 John 3:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Carísimos, si nuestro corazón no nos reprende, confianza tenemos en Dios;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Bien-aimés, si notre cœur ne nous condamne pas, nous avons de l’assurance envers Dieu;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Geliebte, wenn unser Herz uns nicht verurteilt, so haben wir Freimütigkeit zu Gott,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Carissimi, si cor nostrum non reprehenderit nos, fiduciam habemus ad Deum: