1 John 3:20

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An Exegetical Study of καρδία in 1 John 3:20-21: Internal Judgment and the Concept of Conscience

This exegetical study of ‘An Exegetical Study of καρδία in 1 John 3:20-21: Internal Judgment and the Concept of Conscience’ is based on a b-greek discussion. The initial inquiry concerns the use of καρδία (heart) in 1 John 3:20-21, where it is twice paired with καταγινώσκω (to condemn). While many interpreters equate καρδία in this context with ‘conscience’ due to the semantic overlap of an internal faculty of self-condemnation, the observation is made that καρδία does not lexically signify ‘conscience,’ and a distinct Greek term, συνείδησις, exists for this concept.

The central exegetical issue thus revolves around the precise semantic range of καρδία in 1 John 3:20-21. Specifically, is an interpretation equating καρδία with ‘conscience’ textually justifiable, or does it impose a meaning not inherent in the Johannine usage? This question is further complicated by the search for analogous uses of καρδία with verbs of condemnation in broader Greek literature, which could illuminate John’s intended nuance and differentiate it from the concept typically conveyed by συνείδησις.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)
ὅτι ἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία, ὅτι μείζων ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν καὶ γινώσκει πάντα. ἀγαπητοί, ἐὰν ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν μὴ καταγινώσκῃ, παρρησίαν ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• No significant textual differences regarding καρδία or καταγινώσκω are present between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBL Greek New Testament (2010) for 1 John 3:20-21.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)

From a textual critical perspective, the reading of καρδία and καταγινώσκω in 1 John 3:20-21 is stable across major critical editions, including the Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28). There are no significant variants that would alter the interpretation of these key terms in this passage.

Lexical analysis of the terms further clarifies their semantic range:

• καρδία (kardia): According to KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. III, pp. 605-614), καρδία in biblical Greek, strongly influenced by Hebrew anthropology, denotes the center of human personality. It encompasses intellect, emotion, will, and moral decision-making. It is the seat of one’s inner life, intentions, and the source of moral activity. While it clearly plays a role in moral self-awareness, KITTEL does not list ‘conscience’ as a direct meaning. BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, p. 509) defines καρδία as “the seat of the inner life in gen.” This includes various aspects of psychological and spiritual functions, such as thinking, understanding, willing, feeling, and moral character. Again, ‘conscience’ is not a primary gloss for καρδία.
• καταγινώσκω (kataginōskō): KITTEL (Vol. I, pp. 729-730) explains this verb as “to judge, condemn, accuse.” It carries connotations of legal or moral condemnation. BDAG (p. 518) provides definitions such as “to condemn, blame, accuse,” often in a context of self-condemnation or condemnation by others. The object of this verb is typically a person or their actions, indicating a pronouncement of guilt.
• συνείδησις (syneidēsis): In contrast to καρδία, συνείδησις is the unambiguous term for ‘conscience’ in Greek. KITTEL (Vol. VII, pp. 898-919) elaborates on its development and its meaning as a moral faculty that judges one’s own thoughts and actions. BDAG (p. 977) defines it as “the inward faculty of distinguishing right and wrong.” The existence of this specific term highlights that if John had intended to speak solely of ‘conscience’ in the technical sense, he had a readily available word. His choice of καρδία suggests a broader scope.

Therefore, while καρδία in 1 John 3:20-21 certainly refers to an internal judgment process that shares functional overlap with what is commonly understood as ‘conscience,’ it should not be strictly equated with it. The ‘heart’ here signifies the complete inner being of a person—their will, emotions, understanding, and moral self-perception—as the source of self-condemnation or confidence before God. This aligns with a holistic biblical anthropology rather than a compartmentalized understanding of human faculties.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The grammatical construction “ἐὰν καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν ἡ καρδία” (if our heart condemns us) presents ἡ καρδία as the active subject performing the condemnation. This is a common biblical anthropomorphism or metonymy where the heart represents the entire inner person or the sum of one’s thoughts, emotions, and moral consciousness. The verb καταγινώσκω implies a judgment of guilt or wrongdoing originating from this inner core.

Rhetorically, John uses this internal judgment to establish a profound connection between one’s inner state and their standing before God. The passage does not merely speak of a rational assessment of right and wrong, but a deep, encompassing awareness of one’s spiritual condition. The contrast in verse 20, “ὅτι μείζων ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν καὶ γινώσκει πάντα” (because God is greater than our heart and knows everything), is crucial. If even our own deepest self condemns us, how much more acutely does God, who possesses perfect knowledge, perceive our true state? Conversely, if our heart does not condemn us (v. 21), it signifies a state of inner peace and integrity, allowing for “παρρησίαν” (confidence or boldness) before God.

Many English translations (e.g., ESV, NASB, KJV, NIV) faithfully render καρδία as “heart” in this passage, recognizing its comprehensive meaning. Some provide footnotes to suggest “conscience” as a possible interpretation of its function. However, the retention of “heart” preserves the holistic biblical understanding of the inner person as the seat of moral agency and spiritual relationship, avoiding a narrower, potentially anachronistic, imposition of the philosophical concept of ‘conscience’ onto John’s text. The passage speaks to a self-awareness that is not merely intellectual, but volitional and emotional, affecting one’s entire being in relation to God.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

In conclusion, while the function of καρδία in 1 John 3:20-21—as an internal faculty that condemns or justifies—overlaps significantly with what we understand as conscience, it is not lexically equivalent to συνείδησις. John’s use of καρδία is consistent with biblical anthropology, which portrays the heart as the comprehensive center of a person’s inner life: their thoughts, emotions, will, and moral disposition. The self-condemnation or affirmation described originates from this holistic inner self, reflecting a deep-seated spiritual and moral awareness regarding one’s standing with God. The contrast with God’s omniscient knowledge (“God is greater than our heart and knows everything”) underscores the profundity of this internal reckoning. Parallels in other Greek literature for καρδία explicitly meaning ‘conscience’ with a verb like καταγινώσκω are not readily found in standard lexicons; instead, such literature would typically employ συνείδησις for moral conscience.

Based on this exegesis, the following translation suggestions for 1 John 3:20-21 are offered:

1. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
   This translation maintains the literal meaning of καρδία, emphasizing the holistic inner self as the locus of self-judgment, consistent with biblical anthropology and the broad range of inner faculties encompassed by the term.
2. Because if our innermost being judges us guilty, God is greater than our innermost being and knows all things. Beloved, if our innermost being does not judge us guilty, we have boldness before God.
   This option uses “innermost being” to convey the comprehensive nature of καρδία, moving beyond a purely physical or emotional interpretation to include moral self-awareness, without explicitly stating “conscience.” It captures the idea of a deep, personal self-assessment.
3. For if our inner moral sense condemns us, God is greater than our inner moral sense and knows everything. Beloved, if our inner moral sense does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
   This translation emphasizes the moral evaluative function implied by καταγινώσκω, acknowledging the broad scope of καρδία as the seat of inner moral perception without strictly equating it with the technical term for conscience. It focuses on the functional aspect relevant to moral standing before God.

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