1 John 3:20

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

For {G3754} if {G1437} our {G2257} heart {G2588} condemn us {G2607},{G3754} God {G2316} is {G2076} greater {G3187} than our {G2257} heart {G2588}, and {G2532} knoweth {G1097} all things {G3956}.

if our hearts know something against us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.

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

Commentary on 1 John 3:20 (KJV)

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, often contrasts light and darkness, truth and falsehood, and the characteristics of God’s children versus those of the world. In 1 John 3, he emphasizes the importance of love as a mark of true discipleship and addresses the inner struggles of a believer.

Context

Verse 20 follows directly from 1 John 3:19, which speaks of knowing that we are "of the truth" and assuring our hearts before God. This passage deals with the believer's inner conscience, specifically the moments when one's heart might condemn itself, perhaps due to perceived failures, shortcomings, or a deep awareness of sin. John is addressing the common human experience of guilt and self-reproach, which can erode spiritual confidence.

Key Themes

  • The Accusing Conscience: The phrase "if our heart condemn us" refers to the internal voice of our conscience, which can bring feelings of guilt, unworthiness, or doubt about our standing with God. This self-condemnation can be a heavy burden for believers striving to live righteously.
  • God's Omniscience and Grace: The profound truth of the verse lies in the declaration, "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." This points to God's superior knowledge and understanding. While our conscience might accuse us based on limited understanding or even hyper-self-criticism, God knows our true motives, our repentance, our struggles, and the full extent of His grace. He sees beyond our immediate failures to the true condition of our spirit and our sincere desire to follow Him.
  • Assurance Beyond Self-Perception: This verse offers immense comfort and assurance. It teaches believers not to rely solely on their fluctuating feelings or the accusations of their own heart for their spiritual security. Instead, assurance is found in God's perfect character, His complete knowledge, and His boundless mercy. Even when we feel condemned, God's perspective is ultimately what matters, and His love and forgiveness are greater than any self-reproach. This theme is echoed in Romans 8:1, which states there is "no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "heart" here is kardia, which in biblical usage refers not just to emotions, but to the entire inner person—the center of intellect, will, and conscience. To "condemn" (kataginōskō) means to know something against someone, to find fault with. The term "greater" (meizōn) emphasizes God's superiority in every aspect, including His knowledge and judgment. "Knoweth all things" (oida panta) highlights God's omniscience, His perfect and complete understanding of every detail of our lives, including our deepest thoughts and intentions, as celebrated in Psalm 139:1-4.

Practical Application

For the modern believer, 1 John 3:20 is a powerful reminder that our ultimate peace and assurance come from God, not from our own perfect performance or the absence of an accusing conscience. When feelings of guilt or unworthiness arise, this verse encourages us to turn to God, who understands us perfectly and whose grace is sufficient. It calls us to trust in His mercy and forgiveness, knowing that His perspective on our standing in Christ is more profound and merciful than our own self-judgment. This truth paves the way for the confidence discussed in 1 John 3:21, where our heart does not condemn us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 139:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].

  • Psalms 139:4

    For [there is] not a word in my tongue, [but], lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:4

    For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

  • 1 John 4:4

    ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

  • Jeremiah 23:24

    Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
← Back