Book of 1 John Chapter 3 Vs. 20

 

Love One Another

1 John 3:20 "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."

For if our... God knows those who are truly His (2 Timothy 2:19) and wants to assure His own of their salvation. Although Christians may have insecurities and doubts about their salvation, God does not condemn them (Romans 8:1). Displaying love as a pattern of life is the proof that believers stand un-condemned before God.

For (ὅτι)

To be rendered not as a conjunction for, because but as a relative, in whatsoever or whereinsoever.

condemn (καταγινώσκῃ)

The word occurs only three times in the New Testament; here, 1Jhn. 3:21, and Gal. 2:11. It signifies (1.) To note accurately, usually in a bad sense. Hence to detect (Prov. 28:11); compare Aristophanes: Having observed καταγνοὺς the foibles of the old man Knights, 46. To form an unfavorable prejudice against. So Herodotus. Datis says to the Delians, Why are ye fled, O holy men, having judged me καταγνόντες κατ' ἐμεῦ in so unfriendly a way? (vi., 97). (2.) To note judicially: to accuse: to accuse one's self. So Thucydides: No one, when venturing on a perilous enterprise, ever yet passed a sentence of failure on himself καταγνοὺς ἑαυτοῦ μὴ περιέσεσθαι; iii., 45). To give sentence, or condemn. To condemn to death. Those who had fled they condemned to death θάνατον καταγνόντες; Thucydides, vi., 60). To decide a suit against one. So Aristophanes: You judges have no maintenance if you will not decide against καταγνώσεσθε this suit Knights, 1360. In Gal. 2:11, it is said of Peter that, because of his concessions to the Jewish ritualists, κατεγνωσμένος ἦν he stood condemned or self-condemned not as A.V., he was to be blamed. His conduct was its own condemnation. This is the sense in this passage, the internal judgment of conscience.

because (ὅτι)

This second ὅτι does not appear in the A.V. It is a conjunction.

greater (μείζων)

Is this superior greatness to be regarded as related to God's judgment, or to His compassion? If to His judgment, the sense is: God who is greater than our heart and knows all things, must not only endorse but emphasize our self-accusation. If our heart condemn, how much more God, who is greater than our heart. If to His compassion, the sense is: when our heart condemns us we shall quiet it with the assurance that we are in the hands of a God who is greater than our heart - who surpasses man in love and compassion no less than in knowledge. This latter sense better suits the whole drift of the discussion. See critical note. There is a play of the words γινώσκει knoweth, and καταγινώσκῃ condemneth, which is untranslatable.

In light of John’s strict teaching above, he may have felt that some readers might begin to despair. He assures them that, although our feeble attempts to honor God may leave us feeling defeated inside, God is greater than our self-awareness (1Cor. 4:4) and can justify us even when we would condemn ourselves. He sees not only our actions, which at times are thwarted or misguided, but also the motives and intentions behind them.

Sometimes we feel guilty about not helping someone when we really could not, and should not do it. Sometimes we blame ourselves when there should be no blame placed. We cannot, and should not, help everyone that asks. We should pray and ask God what to do. God knows much better than we do what was right.

Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. This might have been the confession and the humility Christ was looking for. A few days before he knew more about himself than Christ did and was frank enough to say so, but his fall and repentance had greatly humbled him. Now he was not so sure of himself, but he was sure that he loved Jesus (John 21:17).

The rest of 1Jhn. 3:19 and all of 1Jhn. 3:20 are difficult in the original, but probably should be translated, and we shall persuade our hearts before Him that, if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. It is precisely in the sphere of a believer’s love for other Christians, in which Christ has set him so high a standard, that he may feel deeply his own inadequacy and failure. But if his heart condemns him, he can remind himself that God takes account of those things which at the moment his heart ignores. If he has been engaged in the kind of practical acts of love which John enjoined, his guilt-ridden heart can be persuaded by realizing that God is well aware of his fundamental commitment to the truth. The passage clearly recalls Peter’s response to the Lord’s final query, do you love Me? Peter replied, Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You (John 21:17).