Devine Scripture

1 John 5:15

What does 1 John 5:15 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 5:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 5:15 means

John extends the logic of prayer: if we know God hears us in whatever we ask according to His will, we also know that we have the requests we asked of Him. This is the confidence of faith—taking God at His word before the answer is seen. “Having” the petitions includes both present assurance and eventual fulfillment, as God works out His wise purposes. It guards against demanding our will while encouraging steady intercession. Such confidence rests not on our intensity but on God’s character and promise. It frees us to pray persistently, gratefully, and patiently, trusting that He is already at work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if we are certain that he gives ear to all our requests, we are equally certain that we will get our requests.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if we have known that He doth hear us, whatever we may ask, we have known that we have the requests that we have requested from Him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we have the petitions which we request of him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

Context

Verse 15 completes the principle introduced in verse 14 about prayer aligned with God’s will. Having established this foundation, John will immediately apply it to a sensitive matter in verses 16–17: praying for a brother observed in sin. He will distinguish between sin “not unto death,” for which we should pray, and a “sin unto death,” about which he does not command prayer. This application connects assurance and prayer to practical community care, cautioned by sober realism about sin’s gravity.

v.14And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:

v.15This passage

v.16If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 5:18

    We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.

  • Luke 11:9

    And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

  • Proverbs 15:29

    Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

  • Mark 11:24

    Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

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