1 John 3:22

22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

1 John 3:22 in Other Translations

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

22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

22 We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him.

22 and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.

1 John 3:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask we receive of him
According to his promise, ( Matthew 7:7 ) ; that is, whatever is asked according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and for his sake, and in faith, nothing wavering, but believing in God, in his covenant and promises, for these are provisos in the case; and such as ask in this way may exercise an holy confidence that they shall receive; and indeed they do receive what they ask for; see ( 1 John 5:14 ) ( John 14:13 John 14:14 ) ( Matthew 21:22 ) ;

because we keep his commandments;
not that keeping the commands of God is the meritorious cause of receiving anything from him; for when men have done all they can, or are assisted to do, they are but unprofitable servants in point of merit: whatever is received from God, as it is in consequence of asking, so it is entirely owing to his own grace and favour, and for the sake of Christ; but keeping the commands of God is a necessary adjunct, or, as Calvin on the text calls it, an inseparable accident, or what necessarily belongs unto, and enters into the character of such, who are heard and answered by God, and receive at his hands; for there is a great deal of truth in what the Jews say to the blind man, ( John 9:31 ) ; and which may serve as a comment on these words:

and do those things that are pleasing in his sight;
as keeping of his commandments is; not that these things ingratiate into the love and favour of God, or are the causes and conditions of it, for the love of God is prior to anything of this kind; nor are they the causes of men's acceptance with God, for the acceptance both of persons and services is only in Christ the beloved; but these things are what God approves of, when done in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to his glory: and since he hears such persons that are worshippers of him, and do his will, and has promised good things to them; this is therefore a reason strengthening their confidence in him, that what they ask they shall receive.

1 John 3:22 In-Context

20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God

22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Cross References

• 1. S Matthew 7:7
• 2. S John 14:15
• 3. John 8:29; Hebrews 13:21