1 John 3:19 kjv

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:19 nkjv

And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

1 John 3:19 niv

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:

1 John 3:19 esv

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;

1 John 3:19 nlt

Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 19 Meaning

This verse reveals how genuine love expressed through deeds, not just words, serves as a test and confirmation of a believer's spiritual standing. By demonstrating this practical love, Christians gain an internal conviction that they truly belong to God's sphere of truth and reality. This active obedience brings inner peace and confidence to their hearts, enabling them to stand without fear or condemnation in God's presence.

1 John 3 19 Context

1 John 3:19 sits within a larger discourse in 1 John Chapter 3, contrasting children of God with children of the devil. John highlights that the definitive characteristic of God's children is practicing righteousness and loving their brothers. He explicitly states that whoever does not practice righteousness or love their brother is not from God (v. 10). The immediate preceding verse (1 John 3:18) is crucial, providing the "this" for verse 19: "Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." This calls for practical, demonstrable love. Historically and culturally, John's community faced early Gnostic-like heresies which downplayed the importance of moral conduct, asserting that true spirituality was about esoteric knowledge rather than righteous living and love for others. John's emphasis on action over mere profession or intellectual assent serves as a direct polemic against such antinomian tendencies and false claims of spiritual belonging.

1 John 3 19 Word analysis

• By this (ἐν τούτῳ, en toutō): Refers directly and explicitly to the kind of love described in the immediate preceding verse (1 John 3:18) – love expressed "in deed and truth" rather than just "word or tongue." This specific type of practical love is the criterion. It’s an indicator.
• we shall know (γνώσομεν, gnōsomēn): This is a future active indicative verb from ginōskō. It implies a certain, definite, experiential knowing or coming to know, not a mere intellectual understanding or hopeful guess. This is an internal, self-authenticating conviction.
• that we are of the truth (ὅτι ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐσμέν, hoti ek tēs alētheias esmen):
  • of the truth (ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας): Ek (out of) signifies origin, source, or essence. To be "of the truth" means to originate from it, to belong to it, or to be characterized by it. It aligns with God's nature, who is Truth. It signifies genuine relationship with God and reality as opposed to deception.
  • we are (ἐσμέν, esmen): Plural present indicative, "we exist." Emphasizes an established state of being.
• and shall assure (καὶ πείσομεν, kai peisomen): Future active indicative from peithō, meaning to persuade, convince, or make confident/calm. In this context, it speaks of pacifying, settling, or giving a deep sense of confidence or reassurance to one's conscience and inner being.
• our hearts (τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν, tas kardias hēmōn): In biblical thought, the "heart" is the core of the person – the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral decision-making. The assurance settles deeply into the inner self, calming fears and doubts.
• before Him (ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ, emprosthen autou): Literally "in front of Him" or "in His presence," referring to God. This phrase signifies that the assurance is not merely subjective or self-deceptive, but objectively valid and holds true under divine scrutiny. It implies standing justified and confident even when consciously aware of one's imperfections, relying on God's grace and knowledge of our true state.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "By this we shall know that we are of the truth": This phrase links outward, tangible action (loving in deed and truth) with inward spiritual certainty. It asserts that genuine faith is validated through ethical behavior, and this validation provides experiential knowledge of one's true spiritual parentage and alignment with God's nature.
• "and shall assure our hearts before Him": This phrase emphasizes the internal benefit and peace that results from such living. The practical love provides not only external evidence but also an internal spiritual assurance. This assurance is specifically applicable "before God," highlighting that our inner conviction is not self-delusion but stands in God's discerning presence. This sets up the following verses where the conscience might condemn.

1 John 3 19 Bonus section

• The purpose of 1 John as a whole includes giving assurance (1 John 5:13) and correcting false teachings that separated faith from conduct. This verse is a prime example of John's consistent argument that authentic Christian faith is always transformative and results in love and righteousness.
• This assurance is not about human self-righteousness but about a God-given spiritual identity that naturally produces a fruit of love. It’s not "earning" assurance but observing the work of the Holy Spirit (evidenced by active love) as a sign of spiritual life.
• The phrase "before Him" is vital. It elevates the assurance from merely psychological comfort to a divine endorsement. Our hearts are pacified because God's perspective validates our walk in truth and love, making the assurance robust even when we feel weak or doubt.
• This verse counters both complacency (love only in word) and despair (fear of God's judgment despite genuine efforts to love). It offers a firm foundation for confident discipleship.

1 John 3 19 Commentary

1 John 3:19 offers a crucial practical pathway to Christian assurance. It anchors the subjective experience of knowing one is God's child in the objective reality of one's conduct, specifically genuine, active love. While some Gnostic views might have advocated for knowledge alone, John insists that true spiritual identity (being "of the truth") is made evident and known experientially through concrete actions of love. This demonstration of love not only proves our spiritual identity but also brings profound inner peace and confidence to our consciences ("assure our hearts"). This assurance is vital because it functions "before Him," meaning it is valid and steadfast even under God's righteous gaze, counteracting potential self-condemnation or doubt (as explored in the following verses, 1 John 3:20-21). It reminds us that our walk reflects our origin and provides peace in our relationship with God.