1 John 3:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

And everyone who has this hope in him continues purifying himself, since God is pure.

Berean Standard Bible:

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.

American Standard Version:

And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} every man^{G3956} that hath^{G2192} this^{G5026} hope^{G1680} in^{G1909} him^{G846} purifieth^{G48} himself^{G1438}, even as^{G2531} he^{G1565} is^{G2076} pure^{G53}.

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Commentary for 1 John 3:3

1 John 3:3 is part of the First Epistle of John, a letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, who was one of Jesus' original twelve disciples and a pillar of the early Christian church. The letter is believed to have been written in the late first century to early second century AD, addressing various Christian communities that were grappling with false teachings and moral laxity.

The verse itself encapsulates a key theme in Johannine theology: the transformative effect of hope and expectation in the life of a believer. The "hope" referred to is the confident expectation of Christ's return and the believer's ultimate transformation into the likeness of Christ, which is a central promise in Christian eschatology. The verse suggests that those who hold fast to this hope are motivated to live a life of moral purity, reflecting the purity of Christ himself.

In the historical context, the early Christians lived with the imminent expectation of Jesus' second coming, which shaped their ethical behavior and community life. The call to purification was not only spiritual but also practical, encompassing moral conduct and the pursuit of holiness. The verse emphasizes that the purity sought by believers is not for the purpose of earning salvation but is a response to the salvation they have already received through faith in Christ. It reflects the idea that genuine faith produces a genuine change in behavior, as believers are inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit and outwardly strive to reflect the character of Jesus in their actions.

In summary, 1 John 3:3 conveys the idea that the anticipation of Christ's return and the believer's future glorification serves as a powerful motivator for personal holiness and moral purity in the present life. This hope-filled expectation leads to a self-purification process that mirrors the purity of Christ, demonstrating the authenticity of faith through corresponding actions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5026
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ταύτῃ
   Transliteration: taútēi
   Pronunciation: tow'-tace
   Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
   
5. Strong's Number: G1680
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐλπίς
   Transliteration: elpís
   Pronunciation: el-pece'
   Description: from a primary (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
7. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
8. Strong's Number: G48
   There are 571 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἁγνίζω
   Transliteration: hagnízō
   Pronunciation: hag-nid'-zo
   Description: from ἁγνός; to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally):--purify (self).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1438
   There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
   Transliteration: heautoû
   Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
   Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2531
    There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καθώς
    Transliteration: kathṓs
    Pronunciation: kath-oce'
    Description: from κατά and ὡς; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1565
    There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκεῖνος
    Transliteration: ekeînos
    Pronunciation: ek-i'-nos
    Description: from ἐκεῖ; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those. See also οὗτος.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
    
13. Strong's Number: G53
    There are 944 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἁγνός
    Transliteration: hagnós
    Pronunciation: hag-nos'
    Description: from the same as ἅγιος; properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:--chaste, clean, pure.