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1 John 3

1 John 3:20 KJV (With Strong’s)

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20
For
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
if
ean (Greek #1437)
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
KJV usage: before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See 3361.
Pronounce: eh-an'
Origin: from 1487 and 302
our
hemon (Greek #2257)
of (or from) us
KJV usage: our (company), us, we.
Pronounce: hay-mone'
Origin: genitive case plural of 1473
heart
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kardia (Greek #2588)
the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
KJV usage: (+ broken-)heart(-ed).
Pronounce: kar-dee'-ah
Origin: prolonged from a primary κάρ (Latin cor, "heart")
condemn us
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
kataginosko (Greek #2607)
to note against, i.e. find fault with
KJV usage: blame, condemn.
Pronounce: kat-ag-in-o'-sko
Origin: from 2596 and 1097
, God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
greater than
meizon (Greek #3187)
larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age)
KJV usage: elder, greater(-est), more.
Pronounce: mide'-zone
Origin: irregular comparative of 3173
our
hemon (Greek #2257)
of (or from) us
KJV usage: our (company), us, we.
Pronounce: hay-mone'
Origin: genitive case plural of 1473
heart
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kardia (Greek #2588)
the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
KJV usage: (+ broken-)heart(-ed).
Pronounce: kar-dee'-ah
Origin: prolonged from a primary κάρ (Latin cor, "heart")
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
knoweth
ginosko (Greek #1097)
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
KJV usage: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Pronounce: ghin-oce'-ko
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb
all things
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
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More on:

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God,
Heart

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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if.
Job 27:6• 6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. (Job 27:6)
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John 8:9• 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (John 8:9)
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Acts 5:33• 33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (Acts 5:33)
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Rom. 2:14‑15• 14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
 15Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (Rom. 2:14‑15)
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1 Cor. 4:4• 4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. (1 Cor. 4:4)
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1 Cor. 14:24‑25• 24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
 25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (1 Cor. 14:24‑25)
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Titus 3:11• 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:11)
God.
1 John 4:4• 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
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Job 33:12• 12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. (Job 33:12)
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John 10:29‑30• 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
 30I and my Father are one. (John 10:29‑30)
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Heb. 6:13• 13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, (Heb. 6:13)
and.
Psa. 44:20‑21• 20If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
 21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. (Psa. 44:20‑21)
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Psa. 90:8• 8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. (Psa. 90:8)
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Psa. 139:1‑4• 1<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
 2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
 3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
 4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. (Psa. 139:1‑4)
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Jer. 17:10• 10I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jer. 17:10)
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Jer. 23:24• 24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. (Jer. 23:24)
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John 2:24‑25• 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:24‑25)
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John 21:17• 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
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Heb. 4:13• 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Heb. 4:13)
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Rev. 2:23• 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Rev. 2:23)
• It is not here the means of being assured of our salvation, but of having confidence in the presence of God. (“1 John 3” by J.N. Darby)
• He knows a great deal about me that I do not know myself. (“Notes on 1 John 3:11-24 and 4:1-7” by J.N. Darby)
• “If our heart condemn us not.” This shows that when approaching God in prayer, we need to have a good conscience. This is achieved by judging ourselves and confessing our sins (1 Cor. 11:31; 1 John 1:9). If we have something on our conscience that we haven’t confessed, our heart will condemn us, and we will not have this confidence. (“Life” by B. Anstey)
• If our heart condemns us because of something bad we did, we shouldn’t try to hide it from God. God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything we do. If our lives are pleasing to God, we will have a good conscience. (“1 John 3” by R. Erisman)
• {God is greater} “Alas! I am none too positive. This desirable fruit has often been lacking in me.” That is what many of us would have to say. That is just what the Apostle anticipates in the next verse. Considering these things, our hearts condemn us. How solemn then is the fact that “God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (ch. 3:20). Solemn, and yet very blessed. For see how this great fact worked in the heart of Simon Peter, as recorded in John 21:17. Peter who had so confidently boasted of his love to the Lord, had signally failed to show it in deed. He had instead thrice denied Him with oaths and curses. The Lord now thrice questions him on the point, letting down a probe into his conscience. Instead of having assurance, Peter’s heart condemned him, though he knew that at bottom he did love the Lord. If Peter had some sense of his failure the Lord who knew all things saw the depth of it as Peter did not. And yet by that very fact He also knew that, in spite of the failure, genuine love was there. So Peter said, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee” (John 21:17). He was glad to cast himself upon the fact that “God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things.” So may we be, when in a like situation. (“1 John 3” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

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20
that if our heart condemn usk, God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

JND Translation Notes

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k
Subjunctive. "That," ver. 20, refers to "hereby" in ver. 19. It is showing what tests "in truth." The repetition of "that" is nothing uncommon. It is found in Eph. 2.11,12. What "hereby" refers to very commonly follows in John, as in vers. 16,24, and ch. 4.17, and elsewhere, frequently indeed with "that." "God being greater" is evidently a testing, searching thing.

W. Kelly Translation

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20
that if our heart condemn usa, [it isb] that God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all thingsc.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The American correctors of the RV would read and punctuate "him: because if our heart condemn us, God" etc. (with the present tense text in the margin). It appears to me that neither is right, and that God being greater than our heart, and knowing all things, is brought in, not for consolation where our heart condemns us, but to deepen self-judgment. It is state, not standing, that is in question. The construction is peculiar from the double use of "that" (hoti) which is not without example in the New Testament without construing it as "because," but referring to the opening words
b
I doubt greatly the soundness of the rendering in the RV, though it is plain that the KJV is rather free and breaks the connection. Some critics and grammarians are much perplexed to find or make the construction smooth, as omission seems to have been resorted to with the same purpose by the copyists.
c
There should be no new paragraph after this verse, breaking the manifest and weighty link between 20 and 21.