1 John 3:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Complete Jewish Bible:

then, whatever we ask for, we receive from him; because we are obeying his commands and doing the things that please him.

Berean Standard Bible:

and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

American Standard Version:

and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} whatsoever^{{G3739}{G1437}} we ask^{G154}, we receive^{G2983} of^{G3844} him^{G846}, because^{G3754} we keep^{G5083} his^{G846} commandments^{G1785}, and^{G2532} do^{G4160} those things that are pleasing^{G701} in his^{G846} sight^{G1799}.

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Commentary for 1 John 3:22

1 John 3:22 is part of the First Epistle of John, a letter traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, one of the original disciples of Jesus Christ. The epistle is believed to have been written in the late 1st century to early 2nd century AD, addressing various Christian communities that were grappling with false teachings and the need for correct doctrine and behavior.

The verse encapsulates a theme central to Johannine theology: the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a demonstration of genuine faith. It emphasizes that believers' prayers are answered by God because they are keeping His commandments and living in a way that is pleasing to Him. This reflects the broader Johannine emphasis on love and obedience, as seen in the Gospel of John and Jesus' new commandment to love one another (John 13:34-35).

In the historical context, the early church was concerned with maintaining the integrity of the Christian faith in the face of heretical ideas, such as Gnosticism, which denied the full humanity or divinity of Christ. The assurance of answered prayer for those who keep God's commandments would have been a powerful encouragement to the faithful to remain steadfast in their beliefs and practices.

The verse also touches on the concept of petitionary prayer, which is prayer that makes requests of God. It suggests a reciprocal relationship between God and believers: as believers align their lives with God's will, they can approach Him with confidence in their prayers. This assurance of divine responsiveness is conditional upon a life lived in accordance with God's teachings, which is a hallmark of Johannine spirituality and ethics.

In summary, 1 John 3:22 speaks to the heart of the Christian life as understood in the Johannine tradition, emphasizing that righteous living and adherence to God's commandments lead to a fruitful prayer life and a close relationship with God. This verse serves as both a promise and a challenge to believers: to live in such a way that their prayers are effective and their lives bring glory to God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
4. Strong's Number: G154
   There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰτέω
   Transliteration: aitéō
   Pronunciation: ahee-teh'-o
   Description: of uncertain derivation; to ask (in genitive case):--ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. Compare πυνθάνομαι.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2983
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λαμβάνω
   Transliteration: lambánō
   Pronunciation: lam-ban'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas δέχομαι is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while αἱρέομαι is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
   
6. Strong's Number: G3844
   There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παρά
   Transliteration: pará
   Pronunciation: par-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
   
7. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5083
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τηρέω
   Transliteration: tēréō
   Pronunciation: tay-reh'-o
   Description: from (a watch; perhaps akin to θεωρέω); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from φυλάσσω, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from κουστωδία, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried):--hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1785
    There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐντολή
    Transliteration: entolḗ
    Pronunciation: en-tol-ay'
    Description: from ἐντέλλομαι; injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription:--commandment, precept.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
12. Strong's Number: G701
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀρεστός
    Transliteration: arestós
    Pronunciation: ar-es-tos'
    Description: from ἀρέσκω; agreeable; by implication, fit:--(things that) please(-ing), reason.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1799
    There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐνώπιον
    Transliteration: enṓpion
    Pronunciation: en-o'-pee-on
    Description: neuter of a compound of ἐν and a derivative of ὀπτάνομαι; in the face of (literally or figuratively):--before, in the presence (sight) of, to.