What does 1 John 5:15 mean?

Explanation

1 John 5:15 conveys a message of confidence in the efficacy of prayer.

The verse tells the reader that if they pray according to God's will, they can have assurance that God hears them and that their requests will be granted.

This verse emphasizes the relational aspect between the believer and God, suggesting a level of intimacy and trust that allows the believer to be confident that their prayers are not only heard but also answered.

Historical Context

The First Epistle of John is believed to have been written near the end of the first century, anywhere between 85-95 AD.

The letter was aimed at Christians to counter false teachings and to reassure them in their faith.

During this time, several early Christian communities struggled with internal conflicts, often related to understanding the nature of Jesus Christ and how they should live out their faith in a world that was frequently hostile to their beliefs.

The author sought to strengthen the community by emphasizing knowledge, obedience, and love as foundational to Christian life.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, 1 John 5:15 can be interpreted through various lenses:

• Calvinist Perspective: God's sovereignty dictates that He has preordained all that transpires, including the answering of prayers.

Prayers are answered according to His will, and thus, the assurance in this verse is not that all prayers will be granted according to human desire, but rather according to God's perfect plan.

• Arminian Perspective: God's foreknowledge allows Him to know the prayers of the faithful, yet He responds to those prayers within the framework of human free will.

This verse emphasizes the relational aspect of prayer and the cooperation between God's will and human petition.

• Catholic Perspective: The Catholic tradition emphasizes the importance of praying in the will of God. It teaches that, while God always hears prayers, the prayers that are in alignment with His will are those that are answered in the way the petitioner desires.

Practical Applications

1 John 5:15 can be applied in several practical ways:

• It encourages believers to develop a closer relationship with God to understand His will better.
• The verse underscores the importance of aligning one's desires with God's will when praying.
• It teaches patience and trust in God's timing and response, even when it differs from the petitioner's expectations.

Cross-References

• John 14:13-14: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
• 1 John 3:22: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
• Matthew 21:22: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Language Study

Two key phrases in the original Greek text of 1 John 5:15 provide insight into the verse's meaning:

• "he hear us" (Greek: "akouei hēmōn"): The Greek word "akouei" is present tense, indicating continuous or ongoing action.

This suggests that God is always listening.

• "we have" (Greek: "echomen"): The word "echomen" indicates having or possessing. In the context of the verse, it implies assurance of already possessing the answer to one's prayer.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions, the act of petitioning the gods was central to spiritual practice.

However, the concept of a personal relationship with a deity, where one is assured that their requests are heard and answered, is more unique to the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Other myths might involve more transactional or ritualistic practices to gain favor from the gods, rather than the personal, faith-based approach presented in 1 John 5:15.

Scientific Perspectives

Science primarily deals with empirical evidence and may not directly address the religious concepts of prayer and divine intervention discussed in 1 John 5:15.

However, there are studies on the psychological and physiological effects of prayer and meditation, which often show benefits such as reduced stress and improved mental health, regardless of the divine response to the prayer.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer interpretations of 1 John 5:15:

• John Stott, a noted evangelical theologian, emphasizes that prayer is not a way to manipulate God but to align ourselves with His will.
• Matthew Henry, a nonconformist minister known for his commentary on the Bible, speaks to the importance of having faith in God's promises when we pray, which aligns with the assurance provided in this verse.
• William Barclay, a Scottish theologian and author, has highlighted the necessity of praying in accordance with God's will, suggesting that when our desires and God's will align, we can be certain of an affirmative answer.