What does 1 John 3:19 mean?

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John 3:19

Explanation

1 John 3:19 is a verse found in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, written by the apostle John. In this verse, John is talking about how believers can be confident about their relationship with the truth and, by extension, with God. The verse highlights the concept of reassuring one’s heart—in other words, calming the conscience—before God.

When John says, “hereby we know that we are of the truth,” he is referring to the evidence of a believer’s actions and love towards others, which have been discussed in the previous verses. This love in action is the practical proof that a person lives according to God’s truth. As believers behave in a manner that reflects God’s love and commands, they can have assurance in their hearts regarding their status before God.

Deeper meaning can be interpreted as connecting one’s actions with inner confidence and moral certitude. The “heart” here is the seat of emotions and conscience. Assurance before God means that when a believer’s conscience questions their devotion or status, their actions of love and obedience to God’s commandment of love serve as the basis for pacifying these internal doubts.

Historical Context

The First Epistle of John is traditionally thought to have been written between A.D. 85 and 100, at a time when the early Christian community was facing internal divisions, heretical teachings, and challenges to the authority of the apostolic witness. John was addressing a community that was dealing with the early forms of Gnosticism, which often claimed a secret knowledge and a strict division between the spiritual and the material.

John’s focus on love, truth, and obedience serves as a counterpoint to these divisive forces and teaches that authentic Christian life is marked by love in action. This context is important in understanding why John places such an emphasis on practical expressions of love—because they stand as evidence against the dualistic and elitist tendencies of the Gnostic teaching.

Theological Insights

From the theological perspective, this verse serves several key insights:

• Christian Assurance: The verse contributes to the doctrine of assurance in Christian theology, offering a means by which believers can be secure in their salvation and relationship with God.
• Orthopraxy vs. Orthodoxy: John emphasizes that right belief (orthodoxy) should be coupled with right practice (orthopraxy). Living out the truth through love is essential.
• Connection with Jesus’ teachings: The focus on truth and love as markers of Christian identity echoes the teachings of Jesus Christ, who summarized the Law in the commandment to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).

Different theological traditions may emphasize varying aspects of this verse. For example, Calvinists might key in on the evidences of grace in one’s life as assurance of election, while Arminians might focus on the role of continued obedience in maintaining a confident standing before God.

Practical Applications

The teachings of 1 John 3:19 can apply to daily life in several ways:

• Ethical Living: Believers are encouraged to live ethical lives that reflect their commitments to God’s truth.
• Community Service: Loving actions and service within one’s community can serve as a testament to one’s faith.
• Self-examination: Regular self-examination and reflection on whether one’s actions align with professed beliefs can be a means of spiritual growth.

The verse implies that outward actions are not just public demonstrations, but also tools for personal assurance about one’s faith.

Cross-References

• 1 John 4:20: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
• James 2:14-17: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
• 1 John 1:6: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:”

These verses underscore the theme of living out one’s faith through actions.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of 1 John 3:19 include:

• “Truth” (ἀληθεία, aletheia): Refers to the reality and truth of God as opposed to falsehood; it implies integrity and genuineness.
• “Shall assure” (πείσομεν, peisomen): This word can be translated as “assure,” “convince,” or “persuade,” indicating a process of calming or settling the heart.
• “Our hearts” (τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν, tas kardias hēmōn): “Heart” in Greek thought often signifies the center of moral and emotional life, encompassing mind, will, and feelings.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Christian concepts of truth and love can be compared with similar ideas in other ancient cultures and religious teachings. For example, in Hellenistic philosophy, living according to “truth” (aletheia) often meant living in harmony with the divine logos or rational order of the universe.

In Judaism, the Hebrew equivalent of “truth” (emet) conveys reliability and faithfulness, which is a foundation for ethics and community life. These cross-cultural comparisons can enrich the understanding of how John’s message was both distinct from and in dialogue with surrounding ideas.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse could be seen in the light of studies on psychology and behavior. For example, cognitive dissonance theory suggests that people strive for internal consistency between their beliefs and actions. When beliefs and actions do not align, discomfort arises, which may resonate with the “assuring” of one’s heart mentioned in the verse.

Furthermore, studies on prosocial behavior and altruism could support the idea that acting in love towards others can have positive effects on an individual’s mental health and social bonds.

Commentaries

Various experts and biblical scholars have offered interpretations of 1 John 3:19:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary presents this verse as providing the basis for comforting the hearts of devoted Christians against the fears and accusations of their consciences.
• William Barclay notes that genuine Christian love is not just a matter of emotion but must be proven in action, and this action gives confidence before God.

Commentaries often stress that while good deeds do not earn salvation, they do serve as a barometer of one’s faith and provide reassurance of one’s standing with God.