1 John 5:14

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, &c.] Either in God, to whom prayer is made; or in the Son of God, through whose blood and righteousness believers in him have confidence with God at the throne of grace; they can come with boldness and intrepidity, and use freedom and liberty of speech, as the word here used signifies; especially when they have the Spirit of Christ with them, and are under the sprinklings of the blood of Christ, and have a comfortable assurance of being heard and answered; and this is what the Jews call hlpt Nwyye, “the consideration”, or “attention of prayer” f64, which they explain thus; “after a man has prayed, he judges in his heart that the holy blessed…”

“the confidence--boldness (Jo1 4:17) in prayer, which results from knowing that we have eternal life (Jo1 5:13; Jo1 3:19, Jo1 3:22). according to his will--which is the believer's will, and which is therefore no restraint to his prayers. In so far as God's will is not our will, we are not abiding in faith, and our prayers are not accepted. ALFORD well says, If we knew God's will thoroughly, and submitted to it heartily, it would be impossible for us to ask anything for the spirit or for the body which He should not perform; it is this ideal state which the apostle has in view. It is the Spirit who teaches us inwardly, and Himself in us asks according to the will of God.”

“And this is the confidence that we have in him - Margin, “concerning.” Greek, “toward him,” or in respect to him - πρὸς αὐτὸν pros auton. The confidence referred to here is that which relates to the answer to prayer. The apostle does not say that this is the only thing in respect to which there is to be confidence in him, but that it is one which is worthy of special consideration. The sense is, that one of the effects of believing on the Lord Jesus 1 John 5:13 is, that we have the assurance that our prayers will be answered. On the word “confidence,” see the notes at 1 John 3:21; 1 John 4:17. That, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us - This is the proper and the…”

“And we - Who believe. Have this farther confidence in him, that he heareth - That is, favourably regards, whatever prayer we offer in faith, according to his revealed will. 1 John 5:15”

“this: Jo1 3:21; Eph 3:12; Heb 3:6, Heb 3:14, Heb 10:35 in him: or, concerning him if: Jo1 3:22; Jer 29:12, Jer 29:13, Jer 33:3; Mat 7:7-11, Mat 21:22; Joh 14:13, Joh 15:7, Joh 16:24; Jam 1:5, Jam 1:6, Jam 4:3, Jam 5:16 he: Job 34:28; Psa 31:22, Psa 34:17, Psa 69:33; Pro 15:29; Joh 9:31, Joh 11:42 1 John 5:15”