1 John 3:20 kjv

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

1 John 3:20 nkjv

For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

1 John 3:20 niv

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

1 John 3:20 esv

for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

1 John 3:20 nlt

Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 20 Meaning

First John 3:20 addresses the struggle believers can face when their own conscience, or "heart," condemns them for their actions, feelings, or perceived failures. This internal condemnation can arise even when one strives to live in truth and love. The verse provides profound assurance by declaring that God's knowledge and judgment are superior to our often flawed self-perception. God is "greater than our heart," meaning His wisdom, understanding, and grace transcend our internal accuser. Furthermore, He "knows all things"—He knows the full truth of our hearts, our sincerity, our repentance, and our standing in Christ, even when our own hearts might mislead or discourage us. This verse points to God's ultimate authority and perfect insight as the true foundation for assurance, rather than fleeting human emotion or the often-harsh voice of self-condemnation.

1 John 3 20 Context

First John chapter 3 broadly discusses the implications of being children of God, emphasizing the contrast between living righteously and loving others (characteristics of God's children) and practicing sin (characteristic of the devil's children). Verses 11-18 strongly underscore the importance of brotherly love, specifically in deed and truth, not just word. The immediate preceding verse, 1 John 3:19, sets the stage: "And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." This points to the Christian's struggle for assurance, which often hinges on the authenticity of their faith, evidenced by love and obedience.

Against a backdrop of early proto-Gnostic influences that might have devalued ethical conduct or created spiritual elitism, John insists on practical righteousness and fervent love as essential proofs of being "born of God." However, even genuine believers, striving for truth and love, can experience moments of self-condemnation, perhaps feeling they fall short. This internal struggle, a sensitive conscience reacting to imperfection, is what 1 John 3:20 addresses, providing an antidote by directing the believer's focus from their imperfect heart to God's perfect knowledge and supreme judgment. The verse is part of a flow that leads to 1 John 3:21, which promises boldness before God if the heart does not condemn us, framing 1 John 3:20 as the reassurance when it does.

1 John 3 20 Word analysis

• For if: (Greek: hoti ean - ὅτι ἐάν). Hoti often introduces a causal or explanatory clause ("because," "for"), connecting to the preceding thought. Ean indicates a hypothetical condition or uncertainty. Together, they introduce a logical follow-up to the idea of "assuring our hearts" (1 John 3:19), anticipating a scenario where the heart might fail to be assured. It points to a common spiritual experience of self-doubt.

• our heart: (Greek: hē kardia hēmōn - ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν). In biblical usage, the "heart" signifies the innermost core of a person – the center of intellect, will, emotion, and moral consciousness. It is the seat of true intentions, beliefs, and one's conscience. Here, it specifically refers to the internal moral compass or conscience, which can either affirm or accuse. It highlights that the condemnation often comes from within, from our own self-assessment.

• condemn us: (Greek: kataginōskē hēmōn - καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν). The verb kataginōskō means "to judge against," "to condemn," "to find fault with," or "to disapprove." It suggests a pronouncement of guilt. The context implies an internal condemnation, where our own conscience accuses us of falling short or of being unworthy, especially in light of the high ethical standards John presents. This is distinct from divine judgment, and sometimes even in believers, the heart's condemnation can be overly harsh or misinformed.

• God: (Greek: ho Theos - ὁ Θεός). Refers to the Almighty Creator, the Supreme Being. His character – encompassing truth, justice, mercy, and omniscience – is the ultimate standard and source of assurance. The mention of "God" elevates the perspective from human self-assessment to divine perfect understanding.

• is greater than: (Greek: meizōn estin - μείζων ἐστίν). Meizōn means "greater," "larger," or "superior." This indicates God's transcendence and superiority over human faculties, including our conscience. God's perspective, understanding, and grace far exceed the limited, often flawed, judgment of our own hearts. It is a declaration of His sovereignty in all matters, including judging the heart.

• our heart: (Greek: tēs kardias hēmōn - τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν). Repeats the concept, reinforcing that it is our subjective, human, internal moral assessment that is being contrasted with God's perfect one. This underscores the power and prevalence of inner turmoil.

• and knows all things: (Greek: kai ginōskei panta - καὶ γινώσκει πάντα). Ginōskō means "to know" or "to understand" in a full and intimate sense, implying personal and experiential knowledge, not just intellectual grasp. Panta means "all things" or "everything." This affirms God's omniscience – His perfect and complete knowledge of every aspect of our being, our true intentions, the depth of our repentance, our faith in Christ, and His work in us. He knows the full context, unlike our limited, sin-affected conscience. This omniscience is the ultimate comfort, as He sees beyond our perceived failings to our true standing in Christ and the sincerity of our desire to love.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For if our heart condemn us,": This phrase acknowledges a very real human experience. Even believers who strive to walk in the light and love genuinely can have their conscience accuse them. This "heart condemnation" often stems from a recognition of lingering sin, imperfection, or failure to meet divine standards or even their own perceived ideals of godliness. It speaks to the ongoing battle against sin and self-doubt.

• "God is greater than our heart,": This is the turning point and the core of the reassurance. It immediately establishes God's ultimate authority and wisdom over our internal accusations. Our hearts can be deceived (Jer 17:9), burdened by guilt, or swayed by legalism. But God’s standard and judgment are perfect, rooted in His truth and grace. This "greater" refers to His complete sovereignty, mercy, love, and infallible truth which override our finite and sometimes erroneous self-judgment.

• "and knows all things.": This directly addresses how God is greater. His omniscience means He has a complete, perfect, and holistic understanding. He knows the truth of our faith, our sincere efforts, our genuine repentance, our spiritual growth, and our identity in Christ, even when our subjective feelings suggest otherwise. He sees our whole journey, our motives, and the cleansing power of Christ's blood (1 John 1:7). This perfect knowledge offers solace and stability to the conscience, reminding us that assurance does not rest on our feelings but on God's truth.

1 John 3 20 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial theological corrective. It addresses both potential legalism (where the heart condemns because it focuses solely on human performance) and antinomianism (where one might disregard the conscience completely). By saying God is "greater than our heart," it reminds us that while our conscience is important and God-given, it is not infallible. It can be overly strict or misinformed. The solution to a condemning heart is not to ignore it or suppress it, but to appeal beyond it to God's ultimate and perfect knowledge grounded in His grace in Christ. This prevents both despair from striving for unattainable perfection and apathy from ignoring one's conscience. It shifts the foundation of assurance from human performance or subjective feeling to God's objective truth and comprehensive understanding.

1 John 3 20 Commentary

First John 3:20 is a profound anchor for believers struggling with assurance and self-condemnation. It acknowledges the legitimate reality that our conscience, or "heart," can accuse us, making us feel unworthy or uncertain of our standing with God, even when we are striving to live in accordance with His will. This internal accuser can be relentless, pointing out our shortcomings, perceived failures in love, or even lingering sinful desires. John's teaching earlier in the chapter (1 John 3:7-10, 14-18) establishes that righteous living and genuine love are characteristics of God's children. For those earnestly seeking to live this out, the voice of a condemning heart can be deeply unsettling, prompting questions about their true conversion or forgiveness.

However, John pivots sharply, providing divine comfort. He asserts that "God is greater than our heart." This means God's judgment, His perspective, and His reality far surpass our limited, fallible self-assessment. Our heart might condemn us based on an incomplete understanding of grace, or an overly harsh internal standard, or simply due to the lingering effects of sin. God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, sees beyond the superficial or the immediate feeling of failure.

The culmination of this comfort lies in the declaration that God "knows all things." His omniscience implies not just knowledge of our sins and imperfections (which He already knows and has provided atonement for), but also knowledge of our true motives, our genuine faith in Christ, our repentant spirit, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit within us. He sees us in Christ, forgiven, adopted, and continually being sanctified. Therefore, even when our conscience tells us we're not good enough, God's perfect knowledge embraces His complete work in us and His unchanging love for us through Jesus Christ. Our assurance is ultimately rooted in God's character and His truth, not in the fluctuating condition of our own feelings or the strictures of a sometimes overly sensitive conscience. This verse encourages believers to look to God’s unchanging truth rather than rely solely on their internal compass for validation, providing peace that surpasses human understanding.