This
is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15
1 John 5 [10.] He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5 [14.] This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
1 John 5 [16.] If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Meaning:
John had just written that he wrote his letter “that you may know that you have eternal life” (see the Context above). Those who have this life also have a living relationship with God, and these two verses describe one of its greatest privileges: confident prayer.
- “This is the boldness which we have toward him”
The word for “boldness” means freedom of speech, the confidence to speak openly. Believers do not need to approach God with fear or hesitation. Through Jesus they come as children to a Father. Hebrews says, “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). John had written of the same confidence earlier: “if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; and whatever we ask, we receive from him” (1 John 3:21-22).
- “If we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us”
This is the key condition. Prayer is not a way to bend God to our wishes but a way to share in his purposes. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth” (Matthew 6:10). In Gethsemane he prayed, “nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire” (Matthew 26:39). John’s words echo Jesus’ promise at the last supper: “Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do” (John 14:13). To ask in Jesus’ name and to ask according to God’s will amount to the same thing.
- “We know that we have the petitions which we have asked”
When God “listens,” he hears with favour. So believers can be sure that requests in line with his will are granted, even before they see the answer. The timing and form of the answer belong to God, but the outcome is certain.
The Significance of 1 John 5:14-15
- Confidence, not anxiety
Believers can bring every concern to God with confidence. Paul wrote, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
- Learning God’s will
Praying “according to his will” encourages believers to know God’s will through his word, so their prayers grow in line with his purposes.
Cross-References:
John 14:13: "Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do," Jesus' promise about prayer.
Matthew 26:39: "nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire." Jesus submits to the Father's will.
Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace," Boldness before God.
Conclusion: John assures believers that they can pray to God with boldness, knowing that he listens when they ask according to his will. When he listens, they can be sure their requests will be granted in his way and time.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible