1 John 3:19

King James Version (KJV)

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

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Hereby we know that we are of the truth - That we have the true religion of the Lord Jesus, and shall assure our hearts - be persuaded in our consciences, that we have the truth as it is in Jesus; as no man can impose upon himself by imagining he loves when he does not: he may make empty professions to others, but if he loves either God or man, he knows it because he feels it; and love unfelt is not love, it is word or tongue. This the apostle lays down as a test of a man's Christianity, and it is the strongest and most infallible test that can be given. He that loves feels that he does love; and he who feels that he loves God and man has true religion; and he who is careful to show the fruits of this love, in obedience to God and humane acts to man, gives others the fullest proof that he has the loving mind that was in Jesus.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

And hereby - Greek, “by this;” that is, by the fact that we have true love to others, and that we manifest it by a readiness to make sacrifices to do them good.

We know that we are of the truth - That we are not deceived in what we profess to be; that is, that we are true Christians. To be of the truth stands opposed to cherishing false and delusive hopes.

And shall assure our hearts before him - Before God, or before the Saviour. In the margin, as in the Greek, the word rendered “shall assure,” is “persuade.” The Greek word is used as meaning to “persuade,” e. g., to the reception and belief of truth; then to persuade anyone who has unkind or prejudiced feelings toward us, or to bring over to kind feelings, “to conciliate,” and thus to pacify or quiet. The meaning here seems to be, that we shall in this way allay the doubts and trouble of our minds, and produce a state of quiet and peace, to wit, by the evidence that we are of the truth. Our consciences are often restless and troubled in view of past guilt; but, in thus furnishing the evidence of true piety by love to others, we shall pacify an accusing mind, and conciliate our own hearts, and persuade or convince ourselves that we are truly the children of God. See Robinson, Lexicon, sub voce πείθω peithōI. b. In other words, though a person‘s heart may condemn him as guilty, and though he knows that God sees and condemns the sins of his past life, yet the agitations and alarms of his mind may be calmed down and soothed by evidence that he is a child of God, and that he will not be finally condemned. A true Christian does not attempt to conceal the fact that there is much for which his own heart and conscience might justly accuse him but he finds, notwithstanding all this, evidence that he is a child of God, and he is persuaded that all will be well.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of Divine love, that God would redeem the church with his own blood. Surely we should love those whom God has loved, and so loved. The Holy Spirit, grieved at selfishness, will leave the selfish heart without comfort, and full of darkness and terror. By what can it be known that a man has a true sense of the love of Christ for perishing sinners, or that the love of God has been planted in his heart by the Holy Spirit, if the love of the world and its good overcomes the feelings of compassion to a perishing brother? Every instance of this selfishness must weaken the evidences of a man's conversion; when habitual and allowed, it must decide against him. If conscience condemn us in known sin, or the neglect of known duty, God does so too. Let conscience therefore be well-informed, be heard, and diligently attended to.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

19. And hereby we know. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of “and,” thus bringing the verse into harmony with John’s usual construction (cf. on v. 16). Textual evidence also favors the reading “we shall know.” Unlike the similar constructions in vs. 10, 16; ch. 2:3, this “hereby” appears to refer back to the preceding verse (v. 18), and the writer implies that when the precept there enunciated is practiced, we shall gain that conviction of which he speaks. When we love in deed and truth, we receive an assurance of the reality of our conversion. Thus our own fruits inform us as to the genuineness of our profession even as the lives of others witness to their sincerity (Matt. 7:16-20).

Of the truth. Compare the reference to “truth” in v. 18. Those who love in deed and truth are children of truth.

Assure. Gr. peithÅÂ, here, either “to persuade” or “to set at ease.” The conviction that we are born of God gives a confidence that sets the heart at rest and enables us to come to God in spite of our sinfulness.

Our hearts. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the reading “our heart,” as in v. 20. The use of the singular in Greek is idiomatic. Here, the heart may be taken for the conscience (cf. on Matt. 5:8).

Before him. That is, before God, or in the presence of God. It is comparatively easy to reassure one’s own heart when the examination is conducted in the light of human standards; but it is another matter to stand in the presence of God and still have a tranquil heart. Yet John assures us it can be done. The nearer we come to God, the more conscious we become of our own imperfections and the more need we have to recite the many reasons why we must trust in our Saviour’s merits (see ch. 2:1, 2). Thus because we love the brethren in deed and in truth, we know that we are of the truth, and because we are of the truth, we may stand fearlessly before our heavenly Father.

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 94

This is the testimony that must go throughout the length and breadth of the world. It presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole. (See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter.) These precious scriptures will be impressed upon every heart that is opened to receive them. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple”—those who are contrite in heart. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” These have not a mere nominal faith, a theory of truth, a legal religion, but they believe to a purpose, appropriating to themselves the richest gifts of God. They plead for the gift, that they may give to others. They can say, “Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” TM 94.1

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit.” TM 94.2

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 161

Selfishness marks the course of many. “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? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 2T 161.1

Divest yourselves of selfishness and make thorough work for eternity. Redeem the past and do not represent the holy truth you profess where you now live as you have where you have lived hitherto. Let your light so shine that others by seeing your good works may be led to glorify our Father in heaven. Stand upon the elevated platform of eternal truth. Regulate all your business transactions in this life in strict accordance with the word of God. 2T 161.2

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Ellen G. White
This Day With God, 327.4

The love of Jesus in the heart will always be revealed in tender compassion for the souls of those for whom Christ paid so dear a price. “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.... And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:18-22). There is no such thing as a loveless Christian.... TDG 327.4

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Ellen G. White
Our High Calling, 76.1

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John 3:19. OHC 76.1

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Cross References

hereby