1 John 3:19-20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 John 3:18-20

1 John 3:18-20. My beloved children, let us not love merely in word or in tongue Contenting ourselves with complimental expressions of regard, or with giving our Christian brethren nothing but fair speeches; but in deed and in truth Let our actions approve the sincerity of our professions, and, by relieving them in their necessities and straits, let us show that we sincerely love them. And hereby Εν τουτω , in this, by being compassionate, kind, and bountiful, according to our... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 John 3:11-24

God’s children love one another (3:11-24)Since Christians do what is right and refuse what is wrong, their lives will be characterized by love. But the world will not respond kindly to their goodness, just as Cain did not respond kindly to Abel’s (11-12). When sinners are shamed by the uprightness of others, the outcome usually is that they hate them for it (13). Hate produces murder, and murder is obviously not a characteristic of the Christian (14-15).Those who have genuine love, instead of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 3:19

assure . App-150 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 John 3:20

if . App-118 . condemn . Greek. kataginosko. See Galatians 2:11 (blamed). all things . Compare Peter's answer, John 21:17 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 John 3:19

Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him: because if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.In this verse, "heart" is used with the meaning of "conscience." "The heart in St. John's language is conscience; the word conscience is not found in his writings."[42]"Opinion is much divided on whether these verses are meant to inspire awe, or afford consolation."[43] There does not seem to be any way of arriving at an... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 John 3:19

1 John 3:19. And hereby we know, &c.— "And by a constant prevalence of this excellent temper and conduct, we may be well satisfied that we are begotten with the word of truth (James 1:18.), and are brought to understand, believe in, and live under, the government of the true principles of the gospel, as sincere Christians: and, in the consciousness of this, we shall assure our hearts before him, when we draw nigh in the exercises of devotion." read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 John 3:20

1 John 3:20. God is greater than our heart,— That is, more powerful, say some, and consequently more able to condemn and punish: but greater in knowledge, say others; and the following words evidently favour this interpretation: a criminal may have some hopes of escaping, when he stands before an earthly judge, though his own conscience condemn him; but God knows us more exactly than we do ourselves; and thosewhoseconsciencescondemnthem,mustexpectthat God will ratify the sentence of conscience,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:19

19. hereby—Greek, "herein"; in our loving in deed and in truth ( :-). we know—The oldest manuscripts have "we shall know," namely, if we fulfil the command (1 John 3:18). of the truth—that we are real disciples of, and belonging to, the truth, as it is in Jesus: begotten of God with the word of truth. Having herein the truth radically, we shall be sure not to love merely in word and tongue. (1 John 3:18). assure—literally, "persuade," namely, so as to cease to condemn us; satisfy the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 John 3:20

20. LUTHER and BENGEL take this verse as consoling the believer whom his heart condemns; and who, therefore, like Peter, appeals from conscience to Him who is greater than conscience. "Lord, Thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love Thee." Peter's conscience, though condemning him of his sin in denying the Lord, assured him of his love; but fearing the possibility, owing to his past fall, of deceiving himself, he appeals to the all-knowing God: so Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:3; 1 Corinthians... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 John 3:10-23

C. Learning to See Christian Love 3:10b-23John has made clear that the only basis on which a Christian can be identified (manifested) as such is by his or her righteous behavior. Christians are not manifested by the absence of sin in them; he never says this. The next question that John proceeded to respond to is, How can we identify "righteousness?" John’s response was, It is not seen in morality-unbelievers can be moral-but in brotherly love. In this section, as in the one preceding it and in... read more

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