1 John, verse-by-verse

Session 10 | 1 John 3:19-22

1 John 3:19-22 | Proof For Israel That It Can Be Confident Before God

Note on this section: it seems almost impossible to reconcile these verses with the Christian life today without initiating a works-based continuation of salvation and a charismatic type of miraculous ability. Because most interpret 1 John to be a primer on Christian living, these verses become problematic. The interpreters either explain away the meaning of simple sentences or adopt theology that should be rejected. It is my belief that the pronouns themselves, along with their adjoining nouns (if any), require that these verses are about national Israel as a whole, and show the nation the proof it should look for that it can be confident before God. The pronouns are discussed in the following commentary.

• Verse 19 —
  • Verse 19 is an announcement pointing toward verses 20-21. The author announces the means of knowing that we are of the truth. This knowledge is so well-grounded that it can be used to assure our hearts before him.
  • First, a note on the pronouns. The author uses the third-person plural we/us throughout this section and has used it regularly from the beginning of the epistle, without specifying who belongs in the we category. Since we have also had a contrasting you“faithful Israel writing to unfaithful Israel" through the author's pen.
  • Second, concerning pronouns, here is a grammatical rule to remember. When the pronoun is joined in a phrase with a singular noun, the matter at hand belongs to the group. When the pronoun is joined with a plural noun, it becomes a matter of the individual by virtue of their membership within the group. This verse gives us an example of each.
    • We are of the truth - a plural pronoun joined with a singular noun. There is one truth that the group (we) relates to.
    • Shall assure our hearts - a plural pronoun joined with a plural verb. Each person in the group has a heart.

Therefore, verse 21 will serve a dual purpose, to let the nation know they are walking in truth and let the individual within the nation gain assurance.

• Verse 20 —
  • It is difficult to know whether to interpret this verse in the positive or the negative.
  • A positive interpretation: *if our heart condemn us it may be emotions, and God is greater than our emotions. *
  • A negative interpretation: if our heart condemn us, how much more ominous is the fact that God will condemn us with even greater knowledge. Due to the connection with verse 21 along with a literal Greek interpretation, I think the negative interpretation makes more sense.
• Verse 21 —
  • A confidence of heart is said to be the basis for the nation to know that we are of the truth (v. 19). “national heart" of Israel has confidence toward God, then the nation can it is in right-standing with God. ern for any kind of national faith in God (in fact, prohibits such).
  • Can Israel's lack of a condemning heart cause the nation to have confidence toward God? It seems Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 10:22 would give some support to this proposal. But in addition, if we understand Job to be a type of Israel during the tribulation (as I do), then Job's confidence serves as a foreshadow to Israel's confidence. Compare, for example, Job 23:10.
• Verse 22 —
  • Adding to Israel's ability to know that it stands before God in truth is the fact that Israel can ask for whatsoever and will receive of him, and all this is based on the fact that the nation will keep his commandments.
  • Herein lies a challenge for the host of interpreters. The epistle is often given as written to give assurance of salvation. For example, the evangelical website GotQuestions“The key purpose of 1 John is to set boundaries on the content of faith and to give believers assurance of their salvation."“assurance of salvation" position, one is backed into a works-based charismatic corner. Note that this same promise is given to Israel in 1 John 5:14 and Matthew 7:7.
  • If this promise is seen as a kingdom-related promise to Israel, then the problem goes away. The Psalms, which are almost exclusively a preview of the nation of Israel in the days of the tribulation and beyond are filled to the brim with passages that speak of obedient Israel receiving whatever it asks for. Consider, for example, Psalm 10:17, 34:4, 50:15, 145:18-19, etc. Also consider prophetic passages such as Jeremiah 29:12.
  • In my opinion, the day of applying this promise to Christians needs to come to an end. To do so brings confusion, works-motivation, and ultimately heartache.