1 John 3:19-20
The James Method Verse Mapping
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1 John 3:19-20 (NIV, 1984 version):
19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Here’s the concept map I created for these verses:
Here is an image of my verse map for 1 John 3:19-20. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 3:19-20 (NIV 1984)
19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Translations (key differences bolded)
KJV: 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
NKJV: 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
RSV: 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
NLT: 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
ESV: 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
NASB20: 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will set our heart at ease before Him, 20 that if our heart condemns us, that God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: The love we show others through our actions is evidence that we belong to the truth
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word.
Know
Greek: γινωσκω (ginosko)
Definition: to learn to know, perceive, feel, understand, have knowledge of
Truth
Greek: αληθεια (aletheia)
Definition: what is true in things pertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
Hearts
Greek: καρδια (cardia)
Definition: the organ that is the seat of physical life; center of all spiritual life; the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors
Set at rest
Greek: πειθω (peitho)
Definition: persuade, to trust, have confidence, be confident, to be induced to believe
Presence
Greek: εμπροσθεν (emprosthen)
Definition: before him, in the presence of, in the sight of
Condemn
Greek: καταγινωσκω (kataginosko)
Definition: to find fault with, blame, to accuse
κατα + γινωσκω
κατα = according to, toward, against
γινωσκω = to know/understand
So condemn = according to what we know (we know our sins) but also against what we know (we are saved)
Greater
Greek: μεγας (megas)
Definition: things esteemed highly for their importance, for their excellence
Cross References
1 John 3:14: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
We know we have passed from death to life.
John 18:37: “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Jesus testifies to the truth. If we are on the side of truth, we listen to Jesus.
1 John 3:21: Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Hebrews 10:22: let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Draw near to God with a sincere heart. We can have full assurance of faith and be sprinkled to cleanse our guilty conscience.
Romans 2:14-15: 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Requirements of the law are written on our hearts and accuse us.
Psalm 139:1-4: 1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
God knows us completely.
John 10:29-30: 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
God is greater than all and secures us in Christ.
View of God
God knows everything - he knows our hearts, our thoughts, our actions. He is the truth. He has made it possible to draw near to him, and if we belong to Jesus, he does not condemn us. His love is greater than our sin and guilt.
View of Man/Self
As humans, we are so quick to condemn ourselves for our sins and imperfections. But if we belong to the truth - if we belong to Jesus - then we can have peace in our hearts knowing that God will not condemn us when we stand before him.
Reflection and Application
God gave us the law and our conscience, and they often accuse us and remind us of all the things we’ve done wrong. But if we belong to the truth - to Jesus - we can know that we are forgiven and saved. We can have full confidence that we have passed from death to life. God has wiped away our guilt, so even when our hearts condemn us, it’s God’s view of us that really matters. And he sees us as clean because we are covered with the blood of Christ.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that we can KNOW that we belong to you. Thank you that we can be at peace and that we can approach you with confidence, knowing that you will do what you promised - you will cleanse us from our sin through the blood of Christ. When I lapse back into guilt, remind me of your redemptive work - a work that is greater than all my sin and guilt.