1 John 3:22 kjv

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 nkjv

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 3:22 niv

and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

1 John 3:22 esv

and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

1 John 3:22 nlt

And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 22 Meaning

First John 3:22 presents a clear promise concerning prayer: whatever believers ask for, they receive from God. This assurance is directly conditioned by two interlinked actions: habitually keeping His commandments and consistently doing what is pleasing in His sight. It signifies that intimate communion with God, characterized by obedient living, creates a fertile ground for prayer that aligns with His will and is therefore answered.

1 John 3 22 Context

First John chapter 3 delineates the contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil, emphasizing that a true believer does not habitually practice sin but lives righteously. Verse 22 builds upon the preceding verses (1 Jn 3:19-21) where John assures believers of confidence before God, especially when their conscience is clear or when God, being greater than their condemning heart, assures them. This confidence empowers believers in their approach to God. The chapter counters emerging heresies, specifically Gnostic influences, which sometimes promoted antinomianism—the idea that behavior did not matter, or that certain spiritual elites were above moral law. John’s strong insistence on keeping commandments and doing what is pleasing to God directly refutes such erroneous views, connecting authentic faith with ethical conduct and effective prayer.

1 John 3 22 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A connective particle linking this promise to the assurance and confidence spoken of in the prior verses (1 Jn 3:20-21). It suggests that the freedom from inner condemnation (confidence toward God) enables effective prayer.
• whatever (ὅ τι ἂν - ho ti an): Expresses a broad scope, indicating a wide range of permissible requests. It is important to understand this within the biblical context of prayer guided by God's will, not as a license for selfish desires.
• we ask (αἰτῶμεν - aitōmen): From aiteō, referring to a request or demand. The present subjunctive highlights a continuous or habitual practice of asking, indicative of an ongoing prayer life.
• we receive (λαμβάνομεν - lambanomen): From lambanō, meaning to take or receive. The present indicative conveys a present reality and certainty—it is something they actively experience, not just hope for in the future.
• from Him (παρ' αὐτοῦ - par' autou): Identifies the ultimate source of answered prayer as God, underscoring His benevolent nature.
• because (ὅτι - hoti): A causal conjunction, fundamentally important. It directly links the action of receiving to the specified conditions. This "because" establishes a divine principle: obedience is intertwined with answered prayer.
• we keep (τηροῦμεν - tēroumen): From tēreō, meaning to observe, guard, preserve, or maintain. This is an active, ongoing, and deliberate keeping. It implies not just knowing the commandments but diligently applying them.
• His commandments (τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ - tas entolas autou): Plural. Refers to the collective body of God’s directives. In John's writings, these encompass Christ's teachings, supremely summarized as love for God and love for fellow believers.
• and (καὶ - kai): Connects the two facets of obedience.
• do (ποιοῦμεν - poioumen): From poieō, to make, produce, or perform. It emphasizes the active, practical outworking of belief—acting upon God's will, not just adhering to rules intellectually.
• those things that are pleasing (τὰ ἀρεστὰ - ta aresta): Refers to actions, attitudes, and a general way of life that is acceptable and finds favor in God's sight. It points to a deep desire to live in alignment with God’s heart, beyond mere legalistic fulfillment.
• in His sight (ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ - enōpion autou): Literally "before His face" or "in His presence." This conveys that actions are done with an awareness of God’s scrutiny and approval, reflecting genuine sincerity and piety before Him.

Words-group analysis:

• Whatever we ask, we receive from Him: This foundational promise is not a blank check. The subsequent clause clarifies that the scope of "whatever" is implicitly framed by a life lived in accordance with God's will. Genuine discipleship reshapes desires to align with divine purposes.
• Because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight: This phrase outlines the relational prerequisites for confident and answered prayer. "Keeping commandments" speaks to adherence to divine precepts, while "doing things pleasing in His sight" extends to living a life that genuinely seeks God's approval in attitude, motive, and action. Together, they describe a holistic, active, and obedient walk with God, rather than a performance for reward.

1 John 3 22 Bonus section

The promise in 1 John 3:22 emphasizes a quality of life rooted in an active relationship with God, where obedience flows from love, not from a desire to earn divine favor. It's a statement about the nature of the prayer arising from an obedient life—such prayers are already largely aligned with God's will. The phrase "whatever we ask" must be read in light of John's broader teaching, especially 1 John 5:14, which explicitly states that answered prayer is contingent on asking "according to His will." An obedient and pleasing life cultivates a heart that desires God’s will, thereby inherently making one's "asks" more aligned with His divine plan. This verse serves as a potent reminder that our walk with God is inextricably linked to our communion with Him through prayer.

1 John 3 22 Commentary

1 John 3:22 beautifully encapsulates the vital connection between a righteous life and effective prayer. It's not a legalistic transaction where God is compelled to answer based on human merit, but rather a reflection of the profound relational dynamic within the divine family. When a believer genuinely seeks to honor God by obeying His commands and doing what delights Him, their heart and desires progressively align with God's own will. This alignment transforms prayer from mere asking into a powerful channel of God's purposes being realized. Such a life removes barriers to communication, cultivating confidence (as mentioned in the preceding verse) and allowing prayer to flow from a pure heart that already yearns for what God desires. The assurance of receiving is a testimony to God's faithfulness to those in true, loving communion with Him.