1 John 3:22

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of 1 John 3:22

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, writes to assure believers of their salvation, combat false teachings (likely proto-Gnosticism), and encourage a life characterized by love, righteousness, and obedience. Leading up to 1 John 3:22, John has discussed the nature of God's children, the importance of genuine love for one another (1 John 3:11), and the confidence we can have before God when our hearts do not condemn us (1 John 3:21). This verse naturally follows, explaining a key benefit of such a life: effective prayer.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Answered Prayer: The verse offers a profound promise: "whatsoever we ask, we receive of him." This highlights God's responsiveness to the prayers of His children.
  • Obedience as a Foundation: The crucial condition for receiving what we ask is explicitly stated: "because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." This is not a transactional relationship where God is obligated, but rather a reflection of a heart aligned with His will. When our lives are marked by obedience, our prayers are naturally in harmony with His purposes.
  • Pleasing God: Beyond mere rule-following, the phrase "do those things that are pleasing in his sight" emphasizes a deeper spiritual posture. It speaks to living a life that genuinely seeks to honor God, reflecting His character and desires. This goes beyond external actions to encompass internal motives and attitudes.

Linguistic Insights

The term "commandments" (Greek: entolas) in John's writings often refers not just to a list of rules, but especially to the overarching command to love God and one another (1 John 3:23) and to believe in Jesus Christ. Thus, "keeping his commandments" implies a life of faith expressing itself through love. The phrase "pleasing in his sight" (Greek: areskonta enōpion autou) speaks to actions and attitudes that are agreeable and acceptable to God, rooted in a relationship of trust and devotion.

Related Scriptures

The concept of abiding in Christ and having prayers answered is also powerfully echoed in John's Gospel, particularly in John 15:7: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." This promise is not a blank check, but rather an assurance that when our desires align with God's perfect will, as revealed through His commandments, we can pray with confidence. Conversely, James 4:3 warns against asking "amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts," highlighting the importance of proper motives in prayer.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to examine the state of their hearts and lives. It teaches that effective prayer flows from a life of active obedience and a desire to please God. It encourages us not to view God's commandments as burdensome restrictions, but as guidelines for a life that truly brings us into deeper fellowship with Him and enables our prayers to be heard. When we prioritize God's will, our prayers become less about our selfish desires and more about aligning with His divine purposes, leading to genuine spiritual growth and answered prayers.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
7 Major Themes in the Gospel of John An Introduction to the Gospel of John: Jesus the Son of God John, the Beloved Disciple: The Apostle of Love John the Baptist: The Forerunner of Christ The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) vs. John's Gospel

Cross-References

  • John 15:7

    If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

  • John 9:31

    Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

  • Matthew 21:22

    And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

  • Mark 11:24

    Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

  • 1 John 5:14

    ΒΆ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

  • John 16:23

    ΒΆ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.

  • John 16:24

    Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
← Back