1 John 3:3

1 John 3:3

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

a. NLT: And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

b. NIV: All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

c. Amplified Bible: And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).

1. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself…”

a. hope [1680 * elpis][Strong: from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.][Vine: In the N.T., favorable and confident expectation.]

b. purifieth [48 * hagnizo][Strong: to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally):--purify (self).][Zodhiates: To consecrate, purify, lustrate. Purification was required in priest for divine service…and indeed in all who belonged to the chosen people…Metaphorically, to render pure in a moral sense, to reform. Used  not only with the meaning of purifying or cleansing, but also with the collateral meaning of consecration.]

1). Notice first what having this “hope” does to the believer. It produces in him a desire to purify himself. We of course are New Covenant priests. Under the Old Covenant the priests had to go through the physical process of getting ceremonially clean in order to be fit for service in the tabernacle and we under the New Covenant do the same, but instead of washing our physical bodies, we wash our spiritual lives in our relationship with Christ by our daily consecration and obedience to the word of God.

a). Ephesians 5:24-27 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

b). Hebrews 10:19-23 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

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.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

c). Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

2). The “hope” I believe this verse is referring to is what is known in believing circles as “the blessed hope”, the rapture of the Church at the coming of Christ. Notice the grace, the empowerment of God, teaches us the “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” is the linked to the desire of Christ Jesus to “redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people”. The desire to be with Christ Jesus will produce in us the subsequent desire to be purified from all iniquity.    

a). Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

2. “…even as he is pure.”

a. The “he” of course is Christ Jesus who we are, by the grace of God striving to be transformed into His image.

1). Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.