1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

And {G2532} if {G1437} we know {G1492} that {G3754} he hear {G191} us {G2257}, whatsoever {G3739}{G302} we ask {G154}, we know {G1492} that {G3754} we have {G2192} the petitions {G155} that {G3739} we desired {G154} of {G3844} him {G846}.

And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — then we know that we have what we have asked from him.

And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

First John 5:15 delivers a powerful message about the believer's confidence in prayer, building directly on the preceding verse. It assures us that when we pray according to God's will (as stated in 1 John 5:14), we can be certain that God hears us and that our petitions are granted.

Context

This verse is part of John's closing remarks in his first epistle, where he emphasizes the assurance believers have in their relationship with God. The immediate context, 1 John 5:14, lays the foundation: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." Verse 15 then becomes the natural consequence of God hearing us according to His will—we have what we ask. John's overall aim in this letter is to provide criteria for true fellowship with God and to assure believers of their salvation and the effectiveness of their faith, particularly in their prayer life.

Key Themes

  • Confidence in Prayer: The verse instills a deep sense of assurance that God is attentive to our prayers. It's not about if He hears, but the certainty that He does, leading to boldness in approaching Him.
  • Divine Hearing and Responsiveness: It underscores the active nature of God's listening. His hearing is not passive but implies a readiness to respond and act on our behalf.
  • Guaranteed Petitions: The phrase "we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" indicates a present reality or a guaranteed future outcome when our requests align with His divine purpose. This promise of answered prayer is a cornerstone of Christian faith.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "know" used here (oidamen) refers to a settled, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual understanding. It implies a deep conviction born out of relationship and past experience with God. The word "hear" (akouei) means more than just perceiving sound; it denotes an attentive hearing that leads to action, signifying God's active engagement with our prayers. "Petitions" (ta aitemata) refers to the specific things asked for, emphasizing the tangible nature of what is being requested and received.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 John 5:15 encourages a vibrant and confident prayer life. It prompts us to:

  • Pray with Assurance: Approach God's throne with boldness, knowing He desires to hear and respond. This confidence is rooted in His character and promises, not our own merit. See Hebrews 4:16.
  • Align with God's Will: While the verse promises answered prayer, it implicitly relies on the condition stated in 1 John 5:14—asking "according to his will." This requires discernment, spiritual maturity, and a heart surrendered to God's purposes.
  • Exercise Patience and Faith: Sometimes the "having" of the petition might not be immediate or in the way we expect, requiring persistent faith and trust in God's perfect timing and wisdom. This verse reassures us that the answer is already "ours" in God's plan.
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.

  • Luke 11:9

    And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

  • Luke 11:10

    For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  • 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].

  • Proverbs 15:29

    ¶ The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

  • 1 John 5:18

    ¶ We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • Jeremiah 15:12

    Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?

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