1 John 3:22

This verse is so closely connected with the preceding one, that not more than a comma or semicolon should be placed between them. When a good conscience gives us boldness towards God our prayers are granted, for children in such relations to their heavenly Father cannot ask anything which He will refuse.

And whatsoever we ask The -and" is probably epexegetic, as in 1 John 3:20, and explains the special character of our boldness. See on 1 John 3:15.

we receive of him The present is to be taken quite literally; not as the present for the future. It may be a long time before we see the results of our prayer; but it is granted at once. As S. Augustine says, -He who gave us love cannot close His ears against the groans and prayers of love".

because we keep his commandment This should certainly be plural, commandments: previous English Versions have the plural, and there seems to be no trace of a various reading, so that one suspects a misprint in the edition of 1611. -Because" depends upon -receive", not upon -have boldness": we receive because we are loyal. This is in harmony with the Gospel and with Scripture generally: -We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do His will, him He heareth" (John 9:31); -The Lord is far from the wicked, but He heareth the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29; comp. Psalms 66:18-19; Job 27:8-9; Isaiah 1:11-15). For -keep His commandments" see on 1 John 2:3.

do those things which are pleasing in his sight Not the same as -keeping His commandments": the one is obedience, which may be slavish, the other is love. We seem here to have another reminiscence of the Gospel (John 8:29): -Because the things pleasing to Him I always do". Excepting Acts 6:2; Acts 12:3, the word for -pleasing" occurs nowhere else in N. T. Comp. Hebrews 13:21; 1 Timothy 2:3.