1 Peter 1:22

1 Peter 1:22

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

a. NLT: You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

b. NIV: Your souls having purified in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to brotherly love unfeigned, out of a pure heart one another love ye earnestly,

c. YLT: Your souls having purified in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to brotherly love unfeigned, out of a pure heart one another love ye earnestly,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart.

e. Worrell Translation: Having purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned brotherly love, love one another from the heart earnestly.

f. Wuest Translation: Having purified your souls by means of your obedience to the truth, resulting in not an assumed but a genuine affection and fondness for the brethren, an affection and fondness that springs from your hearts by reason of the pleasure you take in them; from the heart love each other with an intense reciprocal love that springs from your hearts because of your estimation of the preciousness of the brethren, and which is divinely self-sacrificing in its essence.

1. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth…”

a. [Seeing ye have] purified [Strong: 48 hagnizo hag-nid'-zo from 53; to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally):--purify (self).] [Thayer: ceremonially  to make pure, purify, cleanse, morally.]

b. your [Strong: 5216 humon hoo-mone' genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).]

c. souls [Strong: 5590 psuche psoo-khay' from 5594; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from 4151, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from 2222, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew 5315, 7307 and 2416):--heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.]

1). Though it has other meanings, the context clearly shows it to be Thayer’s second definition. [Thayer: the soul, the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.), the (human) soul in so far as it is constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life, the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body)]

2). Kenneth Hagin in his Spirit Soul and Body teaching, gives this division of man. The Spirit-the dimension of man which deals with the spiritual realm, the part of man that knows God. The Soul-the dimension of man which deals with the mental realm, mans intellect. The sensibilities and will, the part that reasons and thinks. The Body-the dimension of man which deals with the physical realm, the house in which we live.

d. in [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

e. obeying [Strong: 5218 hupakoe hoop-ak-o-ay' from 5219; attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission:--obedience, (make) obedient, obey(-ing).] [Thayer: obedience, compliance, submission, obedience rendered to anyone's counsels, an obedience shown in observing the requirements of Christianity.]

f. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

g. truth [Strong: 225 aletheia al-ay'-thi-a from 227; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity.] [Thayer: objectively, what is true in any matter under consideration, truly, in truth, according to truth, of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly, what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth, in the greatest latitude, the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention, the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians, subjectively, truth as a personal excellence, that candor of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit.]

1). The “truth” here can be summed up in the Word of God, obedience to the Scriptures. In all of this I am led to believe the purifying of our souls is an additional aspect of renewing the mind. When we get born again we have to begin to think Biblically, without which we will never grow spiritually.

a). Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2). Within this process is disciplining our thought life to conform in obedience to Christ Jesus.

a). 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,

3). Within that obedience I believe there is a purification, a cleansing that occurs in the mind, the soul, by the Word of God. Just as the outward man in his walk can be cleansed, our souls or minds can be cleansed or purified by the washing of the Word of God.

c). Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

d. Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

4). A passage that I believe demonstrates this is found in Philippians 3.

a). Philippians 3:12-15 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

3:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

3:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  

3:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

b). We are to be obedient without murmuring or complaining and without disputing.

(1) disputings (1261 * dialogismos; dia-through; logismos-a reasoning) An inward reasoning; doubting in 1 Timothy 2:8; imaginations in Romans 1:21; Through this thinking, man becomes a fool.] [Thayer: the thinking of a man deliberating with himself, a thought, inward reasoning, purpose, design, a deliberating, questioning about what is true, hesitation, doubting,  disputing, arguing.]

c). The result of being obedient without murmurings and disputing will be we will be blameless and harmless.

(1) blameless [Strong: 273 amemptos am'-emp-tos; from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 3201; irreproachable:--blameless, faultless, unblamable.]   [Thayer: blameless, deserving no censure, free from fault or defect.] [amemptos; a-negative; momos-blemish) without blemish]

(2) harmless [Strong: 185 akeraios ak-er'-ah-yos from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 2767; unmixed, i.e. (figuratively) innocent:--harmless, simple.] [Thayer: unmixed, pure as in wines or metals, of the mind, without a mixture of evil, free from guile, innocent, simple.]

(3) Thus there is a purifying or cleansing that takes place in obedience to the Scriptures.

2. “…through the Spirit…”

a. through [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

b. the Spirit [Strong: 4151 pneuma pnyoo'-mah from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.]

1). Some of the translations that I usually cite do not have this phrase. The NLT, the Worrell and the Wuest translations, do not have it. The Amplified places it in italics which means it is a “certain familiar passage now recognized as not adequately supported by the original manuscripts.” The King James, the NIV, and the YLT all have it.

2). The truth is we have to rely upon the Spirit of God and the grace of God to be faithful to God.

a). Romans 8:11-14 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

3. “…unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

a. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

b. unfeigned [Strong: 505 anupokritos an-oo-pok'-ree-tos from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 5271; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.]

c. lof of the brethren [Strong: 5360 philadelphia fil-ad-el-fee'-ah from 5361; fraternal affection:--brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.]

d. [see that ye] love [Strong: 25 agapao ag-ap-ah'-o perhaps from agan (much) (or compare 5689); to love (in a social or moral sense):--(be-)love(-ed).]

e. one another [Strong: 240 allelon al-lay'-lone Genitive plural from 243 reduplicated; one another:--each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with 3326 or 4314).]

f. with [Strong: 1537 ek ek or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

g. a pure [Strong: 2513 katharos kath-ar-os' of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively):--clean, clear, pure.]

h. heart [Strong: 2588 kardia kar-dee'-ah prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).]

i. fervently [Strong: 1619 ektenos ek-ten-oce' adverb from 1618; intently:--fervently.]

1). 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

2). 1 John 2:7-11 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.