1 John 3:21 kjv

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

1 John 3:21 nkjv

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

1 John 3:21 niv

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God

1 John 3:21 esv

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

1 John 3:21 nlt

Dear friends, if we don't feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 21 Meaning

When we, as God's beloved children, live in obedience to His commands and in love for one another, our conscience bears no condemnation against us. In such a state, we possess unhindered boldness and confident access to God, free from doubt or fear in our communion and prayers. This confidence stems from an inner assurance that our life aligns with His will, enabling us to approach Him without reservation.

1 John 3 21 Context

This verse is situated in 1 John Chapter 3, a pivotal section defining the marks of true children of God versus children of the devil. John has just established the distinction: "whoever practices righteousness is righteous" (v. 7), and true love is demonstrated by action, not just words (v. 18). Verses 19-20 lay the groundwork for verse 21, affirming that through loving in deed and truth, believers can "reassure our heart before Him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart." Verse 21 then proceeds with a condition: if our heart does not condemn us, then we have confidence. This sequence highlights that a life characterized by righteousness and love enables a clear conscience, which in turn fosters bold, intimate communion with God. It contrasts with any false assurance (prevalent in some contemporary Gnostic teachings) that spiritual enlightenment negates the need for ethical living, emphasizing that conduct profoundly affects one's standing and confidence before the divine.

1 John 3 21 Word analysis

• Beloved (ἀγαπητοί - agapetoi): This vocative plural, meaning "loved ones," is a tender and frequent address John uses to underscore the shared bond of divine agape love among believers. It highlights their intimate relationship with God as His children (1 Jn 3:1-2) and their familial connection within the Christian community, setting the tone of gracious exhortation.
• if (ἐάν - ean): This conditional particle introduces a hypothesis or a condition upon which the following outcome depends. It signifies a potential state or action that leads to a specific result.
• our heart (ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν - hē kardia hēmōn): "Heart" (καρδία - kardia) in the biblical sense refers to the entirety of a person's inner being—the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and conscience. It's the core of one's moral and spiritual life, where true motivations and character reside. The phrase emphasizes an internal, self-reflective judgment.
• condemns us not (μὴ καταγινώσκῃ ἡμᾶς - mē kataginōskē hēmas): "Condemns" (καταγινώσκῃ - kataginōskē) comes from kata (down, against) and ginōskō (to know). It means to "know against," i.e., to accuse, censure, denounce, or pass judgment against oneself due to guilt or perceived failure. The negative "not" (mē) implies the desired state where our conscience is clear and free from accusation.
• then (οὐχ - ouch): While not explicitly translated as "then" in all versions, the structure implies a logical consequence. It functions to introduce the result that follows the fulfilled condition.
• have we (ἔχομεν - echomen): This is the present active indicative verb "we have." It denotes a continuous possession or state of being. The confidence is an ongoing reality, not a one-time acquisition.
• confidence (παρρησίαν - parrēsian): This is a key term, "boldness," "freedom of speech," "assurance," "frankness," or "fearlessness." In the context of approaching God, it means having unrestrained access, free from shyness, anxiety, or doubt. It's not presumption, but a trusting, intimate approach granted by grace.
• toward God (πρὸς τὸν Θεόν - pros ton Theon): "Toward" (pros) indicates direction and relational proximity. It means direct, unhindered access and interaction with God, signifying a close, uninhibited communion.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Beloved, if our heart condemns us not": This opening phrase establishes a deep, loving relationship among believers and immediately introduces the core condition for divine access: an unaccusing conscience. This internal peace stems from aligning one's actions with God's righteousness and love, a theme strongly emphasized throughout 1 John. The absence of self-condemnation suggests a life walked in sincerity and obedience, or at least a repentant heart that has found forgiveness.
• "then have we confidence toward God": This consequent clause highlights the profound benefit of a clear conscience. "Confidence" (parrhesia) is a divine gift, not a human achievement; it’s the bold, unrestricted access to the presence of God that becomes possible when the inner man is not troubled by sin or guilt. This is a fundamental aspect of Christian spiritual life – free and uninhibited communion with the Creator, enabling effective prayer and intimate fellowship.

1 John 3 21 Bonus section

• The Polemical Context: This verse, like much of 1 John, subtly counters emerging Gnostic or proto-Gnostic influences that divorced spiritual enlightenment from ethical living. These groups might have claimed spiritual access without demanding moral obedience. John insists that true "confidence toward God" is not gained through secret knowledge or ritual, but through active righteousness and Christ-like love that produces a clear conscience.
• A Trinitarian Undercurrent: The "confidence toward God" is enabled by the Father's love, secured by the Son's atoning work (which purifies the conscience), and testified to by the Holy Spirit (who indwells believers and convicts of sin/righteousness, leading to genuine repentance and purity). The good conscience isn't self-achieved but a result of yieldedness to the Spirit.
• Foundation in Christ: While the verse speaks of a clean conscience as a condition, it's vital to remember that this "cleanliness" is ultimately rooted in the sacrifice of Christ. Without His shed blood, no human heart could truly stand "uncondemned" before a holy God. The ability to live righteously and gain a clear conscience flows from being in Christ, not to being in Christ. (e.g., Heb 9:14, "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God").

1 John 3 21 Commentary

1 John 3:21 articulates a profound truth about the believer's access to God: it is fundamentally linked to a clear conscience stemming from obedient living and authentic love. John is not suggesting that confidence is earned by human merit, but rather that righteous conduct, driven by Christ's enabling grace, prevents the internal accusations that hinder fellowship with God. When our hearts do not condemn us, it means we are striving to walk in truth, light, and love, aligning with the very nature of God. This integrity frees us from shame and allows us to approach God's throne of grace with parrhesia, a Spirit-empowered boldness. This verse operates in tandem with 1 John 3:20, which assures us that "God is greater than our heart," meaning His perfect knowledge and boundless mercy always transcend our sometimes faulty self-perceptions or moments of condemnation. Verse 21 builds on this by emphasizing the blessed state where such condemnation is absent, providing a state of peace and confidence that facilitates our requests and relationship with God (as seen in 1 Jn 3:22, "whatever we ask, we receive... because we keep His commandments"). This passage therefore serves as both an exhortation to righteous living and an assurance of the accompanying spiritual benefits: peace with God, boldness in prayer, and intimate communion.