The Meaning of 1 John 3:22 Explained

1 John 3:22

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

YLT: and whatever we may ask, we receive from Him, because His commands we keep, and the things pleasing before Him we do,

Darby: and whatsoever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and practise the things which are pleasing in his sight.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 John 3:22 Mean?

Context Summary

1 John 3:13-24 - Loving In Deed And In Truth
Love to the brethren is a sign that we have been born into the family. We may not like them all, yet we can love them. If we love, we live; and if we live in the deepest sense, we shall love; that is, we shall put others first, and our care for them will be tinged with the crimson of sacrifice. Love is not measured by the expressions of the lip or the emotion of the heart, but by the extent to which we will do or suffer.
The believer dares not affirm too much about himself, he is so unworthy and fickle; but God understands us and imputes to us what we would be. Mark in 1 John 3:22 the double condition of prevailing prayer. It is also clear from 1 John 3:23 that men can believe, if they will. God is prepared to impart to those who are wishful all that He commands. Augustine prayed thus: "Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt." [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 John 3

1  He declares the singular love of God toward us, in making us his sons;
3  who therefore ought obediently to keep his commandments;
11  as also to love one another as brothers

Greek Commentary for 1 John 3:22

Whatsoever we ask [ο εαν αιτωμεν]
Indefinite relative clause with modal αν — an and the present active subjunctive, like οτι εαν καταγινωσκηι — hoti ean kataginōskēi in 1 John 3:20. In form no limitations are placed here save that of complete fellowship with God, which means complete surrender of our will to that of God our Father. See the clear teaching of Jesus on this subject in Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; John 14:12.; John 16:23 and his example (Mark 14:36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42). The answer may not always be in the form that we expect, but it will be better. [source]
We receive of him [λαμβανομεν απ αυτου]
See 1 John 1:5 for απ αυτου — ap' autou (from him).Because (οτι — hoti). Twofold reason why we receive regularly (λαμβανομεν — lambanomen) the answer to our prayers (1) “we keep” (τηρουμεν — tēroumen for which see 1 John 2:3) his commandments and (2) “we do” (ποιουμεν — poioumen we practise regularly) “the things that are pleasing” (τα αρεστα — ta aresta old verbal adjective from αρεσκω — areskō to please, with dative in John 8:29 with same phrase; Acts 12:3 and infinitive in Acts 6:2, only other N.T. examples) “in his sight” (ενωπιον αυτου — enōpion autou common late vernacular preposition in papyri, lxx, and in N.T., except Matthew and Mark, chiefly by Luke and in the Apocalypse), in God‘s eye, as in Hebrews 13:21. [source]
Because [οτι]
Twofold reason why we receive regularly (λαμβανομεν — lambanomen) the answer to our prayers (1) “we keep” (τηρουμεν — tēroumen for which see 1 John 2:3) his commandments and (2) “we do” (ποιουμεν — poioumen we practise regularly) “the things that are pleasing” (τα αρεστα — ta aresta old verbal adjective from αρεσκω — areskō to please, with dative in John 8:29 with same phrase; Acts 12:3 and infinitive in Acts 6:2, only other N.T. examples) “in his sight” (ενωπιον αυτου — enōpion autou common late vernacular preposition in papyri, lxx, and in N.T., except Matthew and Mark, chiefly by Luke and in the Apocalypse), in God‘s eye, as in Hebrews 13:21. [source]
We ask [αἰτῶμεν]
See on Luke 11:9. [source]
We receive of Him [λαμβάνομεν ἀπ ' αὐτοῦ]
On the form of expression, see on 1 John 1:5. For the thought, compare John 15:7. [source]
We keep [τηροῦμεν]
See on 1 Peter 1:5. Note the combination of keep and do. Watchful discernment and habitual practice. Compare Psalm 123:2. The same combination occurs 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:3, where instead of the first τηρῶμεν keepread ποιῶμεν doPleasing ( ἀρεστά )See John 8:29. [source]
In His sight [ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ]
Compare ἕμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ beforeHim, or in His presence (1 John 3:19). In His sight “accentuates the thought of the divine regard. Compare John 7:37and John 20:30” (Westcott). [source]
See on 1 Peter 1:5 . Note the combination of keep and do . Watchful discernment and habitual practice. Compare Psalm 123:2 . The same combination occurs 1 John 5:2 , 1 John 5:3 , where instead of the first τηρῶμεν keepread ποιῶμεν do Pleasing [ἀρεστά]
See John 8:29. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 3:22

John 16:23 Ye shall ask [ἐρωτήσετε]
Or, as Rev., in margin, ask - question. To question is the primary meaning of the verb, from which it runs into the more general sense of request, beseech. So Mark 7:26; Luke 4:38; John 17:15, etc. Here the meaning is, ye shall ask me no question (compare John 16:19, where the same verb is used). Compare Matthew 16:13; Matthew 21:24; John 1:19. Ask, absolutely, Luke 22:68. Note, moreover, the selection of the word here as marking the asking on familiar terms. See on John 11:22. Another verb for ask occurs in the following sentence: “If ye shall ask ( αἰτήστητε ) anything,” etc. Here the sense is, if ye shall make any request. Compare Matthew 5:42; Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:9, Matthew 7:10, etc. Note, also, that this word for asking the Father marks the asking of an inferior from a superior, and is the word which Christ never uses of His own requests to the Father. Compare 1 John 3:22. [source]
John 20:30 Many other signs [πολλα αλλα σημεια]
Not only those described in the Synoptic Gospels or referred to in general statements, but many alluded to in John‘s Gospel (John 2:23; John 4:45; John 12:37). Are not written Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of γραπω — graphō do not stand written, are not described “in this book.” John has made a selection of the vast number wrought by Jesus “in the presence of the disciples” (ενωπιον των ματητων — enōpion tōn mathētōn), common idiom in Luke, not in Mark and Matthew, and by John elsewhere only in 1 John 3:22. John‘s book is written with a purpose which he states. [source]
John 8:29 Is with me [μετ εμου εστιν]
The Incarnation brought separation from the Father in one sense, but in essence there is complete harmony and fellowship as he had already said (John 8:16) and will expand in John 17:21-26. He hath not left me alone First aorist active indicative of απιημι — aphiēmi “He did not leave me alone.” However much the crowds and the disciples misunderstood or left Jesus, the Father always comforted and understood him (Mark 6:46; Matthew 14:23; John 6:15). That are pleasing to him This old verbal adjective, from αρεσκω — areskō to please, in N.T. only here, Acts 6:4; Acts 12:3; 1 John 3:22. The joy of Jesus was in doing the will of the Father who sent him (John 4:34). [source]
Galatians 1:12 Of man [παρὰ ἀνθρώπου]
Better, from man. Παρὰ fromemphasizes the idea of transmission, and marks the connection between giver and receiver. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:14; Acts 10:22. In the Gospels and Acts παραλαμβάνειν usually means to take, in the sense of causing to accompany, as Matthew 4:5; Matthew 17:1; Mark 4:36, etc. Scarcely ever in the sense of receive: see Mark 7:4. In Paul only in the sense of receive, and only with παρὰ , with the single exception of 1 Corinthians 11:23( ἀπὸ ). The simple λαμβάνω usually with παρὰ , but with ἀπὸ , 1 John 2:27; 1 John 3:22. [source]
1 Timothy 6:14 Commandment [ἐντολὴν]
Usually of a single commandment or injunction, but sometimes for the whole body of the moral precepts of Christianity, as 2 Peter 2:21; 2 Peter 3:2. The reference may be explained by ἡ παραγγελία thecommandment, 1 Timothy 1:5, meaning the gospel as the divine standard of conduct and faith. Comp. 2 Timothy 1:14. The phrase τηρεῖν τὴν ἐντολὴν tokeep the commandment is Johannine. See John 14:15, John 14:21; John 15:10; 1 John 2:3, 1 John 2:4; 1 John 3:22, 1 John 3:24; 1 John 5:3. [source]
1 Timothy 5:4 Before [ἐνώπιον]
Frequent in N.T., especially Luke and Revelation. It occurs 31 times in the phrases ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ inthe sight of God, and ἐνώπιον κυρίου inthe sight of the Lord. olxx. Comp. ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ before God. Acts 10:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Not in Pastorals, and by Paul only 1Thessalonians the difference is trifling. Comp. 1 John 3:19and 1 John 3:22. [source]
1 John 1:5 We have heard of Him [ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ ' αὐτοῦ]
A form of expression not found elsewhere in John, who commonly uses παρ ' αὐτοῦ . See on John 6:46. The phrase here points to the ultimate and not necessarily the immediate source of the message. Not only John, but others in earlier times had heard this message. Compare 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:11. Ἁπό points to the source παρά to the giver. Thus, John 5:41, “ I receive not honor from ( παρά ) men.” They are not the bestowers of honor upon me.” John 5:44, “How can ye believe which receive honor from ( παρά ) one another;” the honor which men have to give, “and seek not the honor that cometh from ( παρά ) God;” the honor which God alone bestows. On the other hand, 1 John 3:22, “Whatsoever we ask we receive from ( ἀπό ) Him,” the ultimate source of our gifts. So Matthew 17:25: “Of ( ἀπό ) whom do the kings of the earth take custom - of ( ἀπό ) their own children or of ( ἀπό ) strangers?” What is the legitimate and ultimate source of revenue in states? [source]

What do the individual words in 1 John 3:22 mean?

and whatever if we might ask we receive from Him because the commandments of Him we keep the things pleasing before we do
καὶ ἐὰν αἰτῶμεν λαμβάνομεν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ ὅτι τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ τηροῦμεν τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐνώπιον ποιοῦμεν

  whatever 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
αἰτῶμεν  we  might  ask 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: αἰτέω  
Sense: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.
λαμβάνομεν  we  receive 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
ὅτι  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἐντολὰς  commandments 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐντολή  
Sense: an order, command, charge, precept, injunction.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τηροῦμεν  we  keep 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: τηρέω  
Sense: to attend to carefully, take care of.
τὰ  the  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀρεστὰ  pleasing 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἀρεστός  
Sense: pleasing, agreeable.
ἐνώπιον  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐνώπιον  
Sense: in the presence of, before.
ποιοῦμεν  we  do 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.