Bible Strands
1 John 3:19
And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses his readers as "little children" while instructing them on the practical outworking of love. He writes at a moment of pastoral correction, shifting focus from verbal profession to concrete deeds.
The words — The instrumental phrase ἐν τούτῳ (en toutō) translates literally to "by this" and points to the preceding command as the evidence. The future verb γνωσόμεθα (gnōsometha) means "we will know" or "we will come to recognize," establishing certainty through action.
The thread — The link between righteous conduct and inner peace appears in Isaiah 32:17, which promises quiet confidence as the result of righteousness. The epistle itself extends this logic in 1 John 3:21, where uncondemned hearts yield direct confidence before God.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to verify their spiritual standing through observable obedience rather than subjective emotion. It asks believers to ground their assurance in external truth and divine omniscience instead of relying on internal self-assessment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.
- 1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
- Romans 4:21 being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
- 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Hebrews 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.