¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And {G2532} this {G3778} is {G2076} the confidence {G3954} that {G3739} we have {G2192} in {G4314} him {G846}, that {G3754}, if {G1437} we ask {G154} any thing {G5100} according {G2596} to his {G846} will {G2307}, he heareth {G191} us {G2257}:
This is the confidence we have in his presence: if we ask anything that accords with his will, he hears us.
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
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John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. -
Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. -
Jeremiah 29:12
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. -
Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. -
1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God. -
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. -
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.
The Apostle John, in 1 John 5:14, provides profound assurance regarding prayer, stating, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" This verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding effective prayer and the nature of a believer's relationship with God.
Context
This verse is nestled within John's concluding remarks in his first epistle, where he emphasizes the certainty of the Christian faith. Preceding verse 13 affirms that believers can "know that ye have eternal life," establishing a foundation of assurance in salvation. Following this, verse 15 extends the promise by stating that if we know He hears us, we also know we have the petitions we desired of Him. Thus, 1 John 5:14 bridges the assurance of salvation with the assurance of answered prayer, provided it aligns with God's divine purpose and will.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "confidence" is parrhesia (παρρησία), which conveys a sense of boldness, frankness, and freedom of speech. It speaks to the privilege and right believers have to approach God directly and openly, without timidity. This is a profound shift from Old Testament access, made possible through Christ. The word "heareth" is from akouō (ἀκούω), which means not just to hear physically but to listen, understand, and often implies to grant or respond positively, signifying God's active engagement with our prayers.
Related Scriptures
The concept of bold access to God is also found in Ephesians 3:12, which speaks of "boldness and access with confidence through the faith of him." Regarding prayer aligned with God's will, Romans 8:27 mentions the Spirit interceding for us "according to the will of God," highlighting divine assistance in aligning our prayers. The general promise of God hearing prayer is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 66:19, "But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer."
Practical Application
For the modern believer, 1 John 5:14 offers immense encouragement and a vital guideline for prayer life. It encourages us to pray with unwavering confidence, knowing that God welcomes our requests. However, it also calls us to align our desires with His perfect will, reminding us that true prayer is not about bending God to our will, but about aligning our hearts with His. This fosters a deeper intimacy with God, as we learn to discern His purposes and trust in His wisdom, even when answers differ from our initial expectations. It transforms prayer from a mere request list into a communion of wills, leading to peace and assurance in His ultimate provision.