1 John 3 · Verse 22

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.
1 John 3:22, King James Version

1 John 3:22 in other translations

BSBand we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
WEBso whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
ASVand whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
YLTand whatever we may ask, we receive from Him, because His commands we keep, and the things pleasing before Him we do,
DARBYand whatsoever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and practise the things which are pleasing in his sight.
BBEAnd he gives us all our requests, because we keep his laws and do the things which are pleasing in his eyes.
WebsterAnd whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

What does 1 John 3:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
22. we receive--as a matter of fact, according to His promise. Believers, as such, ask only what is in accordance with God's will; or if they ask what God wills not, they bow their will to God's will, and so God grants them either their request, or something better than it. because we keep his commandments--Compare Psa 66:18; 34:15; 145:18, 19. Not as though our merits earned a hearing for our prayers, but when we are believers in Christ, all our works of faith being the fruit of His Spirit in us, are "pleasing in God's sight"; and our prayers being the voice of the same Spirit of God in us, naturally and necessarily are answered by Him.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him. If we are truly his children, and ask in a proper manner. Mt 7:7. Comp. Mk 11:24, Lk 11:9, 18:1-10, Jn 14:13, 15:7, 1Jn 5:14. The declaration here made must be understood with these limitations:

(1.) that we ask in a proper manner, Jas 4:3; and,

(2,) that the thing asked shall be such as will be consistent for God to give; that is, such as he shall see to be best for us, 1Jn 5:14. 1Jn 5:14.

Because we keep his commandments. Not that this is the meritorious ground of our being heard, but that it furnishes evidence that we are his children, and he hears his children as such.

And do those things that are pleasing in his sight. As a parent is disposed to bestow favours on obedient, affectionate, and dutiful children, so God is on those who please him by their obedience and submission to his will. We can have no hope that he will hear us unless we do so live as to please him.

(d) "whatsoever" Ps 145:18,19, Prov 15:29, Mk 11:24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 Whatsoever we ask - In such a spirit, we receive of him, for he delights to bless the humble, upright, and sincere soul. Because we keep his commandments - Viz., by loving him and loving our neighbor. These are the great commandments both of the old covenant and the new. And whoever is filled with this love to God and man will do those things which are pleasing to him; for love is the very soul and principle of obedience. The word heart is used in the preceding verses for conscience; and so the Greek fathers interpret it, particularly Origen, Nicephorus, and Ecumenius; but this is not an unfrequent meaning of the word in the sacred writings.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 John 3:22-24
When believers had confidence towards God, through the Spirit of adoption, and by faith in the great High Priest, they might ask what they would of their reconciled Father. They would receive it, if good for them. And as good-will to men was proclaimed from heaven, so good-will to men, particularly to the brethren, must be in the hearts of those who go to God and heaven. He who thus follows Christ, dwells in Him as his ark, refuge, and rest, and in the Father through him. This union between Christ and the souls of believers, is by the Spirit he has given them. A man may believe that God is gracious before he knows it; yet when faith has laid hold on the promises, it sets reason to work. This Spirit of God works a change; in all true Christians it changes from the power of Satan to the power of God. Consider, believer, how it changes thy heart. Dost not thou long for peace with God? Wouldst thou not forego all the world for it? No profit, pleasure, or preferment shall hinder thee from following Christ. This salvation is built upon Divine testimony, even the Spirit of God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 John 3:22 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.

καὶkaiandG2532
ὃhowhateverG3739
ἐὰνeanmaybeG1437
αἰτῶμενaitōmenwe shall askG154
λαμβάνομενlambanomenwe receiveG2983
ἀπ᾽ap᾽fromG575
αὐτοῦ,autouHim,G846
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
τὰςtastheG3588
ἐντολὰςentolascommandmentsG1785
αὐτοῦautouof HimG846
τηροῦμενtēroumenwe keepG5083
καὶkaiandG2532
τὰtathe [things]G3588
ἀρεστὰarestapleasingG701
ἐνώπιονenōpionbeforeG1799
αὐτοῦautouHimG846
ποιοῦμεν.poioumenwe do.G4160

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

Cross references for 1 John 3:22

  • John 15:7

    If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

  • John 9:31

    Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

  • Matthew 21:22

    And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

  • 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:

  • Mark 11:24

    Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

  • John 16:23-24

    And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

  • Psalms 34:4

    I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

  • Matthew 7:7-8

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  • Proverbs 15:29

    The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

  • John 14:13

    And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

  • Psalms 145:18-19

    The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

  • James 1:5

    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whatsoever.
5:14; Ps 10:17; 34:4,15-17; 50:15; 66:18,19; 145:18,19; Pr 15:29
Pr 28:9; Isa 1:15; 55:6,7; Jer 29:12,13; 33:3; Mt 7:7,8; 21:22
Mr 11:24; Lu 11:9-13; Joh 9:31; 14:13; 15:7; 16:23,24; Jas 1:5; 5:16
because.
23,24; Mt 7:24,25; 17:5; Joh 15:10; Ac 17:30; 20:21
do.
Joh 6:29; 8:29; 9:31; Php 4:18; Col 1:10; Heb 13:21

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 John 3:23

    And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Read all of 1 John 3

1 John 3:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y cualquier cosa que pidiéremos, la recibiremos de él, porque guardamos sus mandamientos, y hacemos las cosas que son agradables delante de él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et quoi que nous demandions, nous le recevons de lui, parce que nous gardons ses commandements et que nous pratiquons les choses qui sont agréables devant lui.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und was irgend wir bitten, empfangen wir von ihm, weil wir seine Gebote halten und das vor ihm Wohlgefällige tun.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et quidquid petierimus, accipiemus ab eo: quoniam mandata ejus custodimus, et ea, quæ sunt placita coram eo, facimus.