This verse should be taken as describing the situation which results from what has been said in verses 19-20; John considers this situation to be the normal Christian state of heart. To bring out this relationship one may say “and so, my dear friends, if our heart…” (Good News Translation), ‘dear friends, if it is a fact that our hearts….’

For Beloved, see comments on 2.7.

In We have confidence before God, the verb is in the present tense, showing that the reference is to a present reality; the Christian can have confidence now and act accordingly, because his heart is no longer condemning him. For “to have confidence” see comments on 2.28.

Before God, preferably “towards God,” “with regard to God,” “in God.” The Greek preposition is not the same as the one occurring in verse 19. It serves to express direction, then a (here, friendly) relationship. Compare renderings of the clause like ‘we can turn towards God with confidence,’ ‘we have courage to approach God,’ ‘we do not fear to talk to God,’ ‘we rest the whole weight of our heart on God.’

Quoted with permission from Haas, C., de Jonge, M. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on The First Letter of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .