King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:19 Mean?

1 John 3:19 in the King James Version says “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. assure: Gr. persuade” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. assure: Gr. persuade”

1 John 3:19 · KJV

Truth

Context

17

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. assure: Gr. persuade

20

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

Read 1 John 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. John presents love in deed and truth as the ground for assurance. "And hereby we know" (kai en toutō gnōsometha)—the future tense suggests ongoing, growing knowledge. "That we are of the truth" (hoti ek tēs alētheias esmen)—we belong to truth's sphere, aligned with reality as God defines it. Those who love genuinely demonstrate they're God's children, born of Him who is truth.

"And shall assure our hearts before him" (kai emprosthen autou peisomen tēn kardian hēmōn). Peithō (πείθω) means to persuade, convince, or assure. Our hearts (conscience, inner self) can be assured when standing before God. The assurance comes not from sinless perfection but from evidence of genuine love demonstrated in deeds. This love proves we possess saving faith and are truly regenerated.

This addresses the problem of assurance. How can sinful, imperfect believers know they're saved? Not by trusting feelings or introspection alone, but by examining the fruit of love. Do we love fellow believers in deed and truth? This evidence assures hearts prone to doubt. However, the assurance rests ultimately on God's character (v. 20), not our performance. Our love is imperfect, but God is greater than our hearts and knows all things—He knows whether we truly love Him and His children despite our failures.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The question of assurance troubled Christians throughout church history. Medieval Catholicism often left believers uncertain about salvation, depending on continual penance and good works. The Reformation recovered the biblical teaching of assurance through faith in Christ's finished work, evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit including love.

Puritans and Reformed theologians developed extensive teaching on assurance, distinguishing between the immediate assurance of faith (believing God's promises) and the reflective assurance from examining spiritual fruit. John provides this second type—examining whether we love in deed and truth gives assurance we're of the truth. This isn't works-righteousness but recognizing that genuine faith produces visible fruit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your pattern of loving fellow believers in deed and truth provide assurance that you're truly saved?
  2. What's the difference between assurance based on examining fruit (as here) and assurance based on trusting God's promises?
  3. If you lack assurance, might the problem be failure to love in deed and truth rather than God's unwillingness to save you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
καὶ1 of 16

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν2 of 16
G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τούτῳ3 of 16

“hereby”

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

γινώσκομεν4 of 16

“we know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ὅτι5 of 16

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐκ6 of 16

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς7 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείας8 of 16

“the truth”

G225

truth

ἐσμέν,9 of 16

“we are”

G2070

we are

καὶ10 of 16

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔμπροσθεν11 of 16

“before”

G1715

in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)

αὐτοῦ12 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πείσομεν13 of 16

“shall assure”

G3982

to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence

τὰς14 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίας15 of 16

“hearts”

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

ἡμῶν16 of 16

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 3:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:221 John 3:21Hebrews 6:10-11Isaiah 32:17John 18:371 John 1:8

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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