1 John 3:3 kjv

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

1 John 3:3 nkjv

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

1 John 3:3 niv

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

1 John 3:3 esv

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

1 John 3:3 nlt

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

1 John 3 verses

1 John 3 3 Meaning

This verse declares that everyone who possesses the hope of seeing Christ and being made like Him (as described in 1 Jn 3:2) will actively strive to purify their lives. This purification is not an option but a natural outcome of genuine hope in Christ, motivated by His perfect purity and holiness, which serves as the ultimate standard for believers. It connects future expectation with present ethical living, demonstrating that true hope is always accompanied by moral transformation and sanctification.

1 John 3 3 Context

This verse stands within 1 John, a letter that distinguishes true Christianity from various heresies, particularly those that deny the incarnation of Christ or promote a separation between faith and ethics. John emphasizes the practical implications of a relationship with God. Chapter 3 begins by proclaiming the extraordinary privilege of being "children of God" (v. 1), leading immediately into the future hope of seeing Christ and becoming like Him (v. 2). Verse 3 is a logical consequence: this glorious future hope compels believers to live righteously in the present. It directly contrasts with the lifestyle of "children of the devil" (vv. 8-10) who practice sin. The context asserts that true faith produces purity and obedience, while continued sinning indicates a lack of genuine saving relationship with God.

1 John 3 3 Word analysis

• And everyone who has: Connects the truth universally to all believers. "Everyone" underscores the principle applies to every individual who genuinely holds this hope, without exception or distinction.
• this hope: Refers specifically to the hope mentioned in 1 John 3:2 – the future reality of seeing Christ as He is and being like Him, participating in His glory and character. This is not a mere wish but a confident expectation based on God's promise.
• in Him: Points to Jesus Christ as both the source and the object of this hope. Our hope is anchored in His person, His finished work, and His future appearing.
• purifies himself: (Greek: ἁγνίζει, hagnizei). This verb means "to make pure, sanctify, morally cleanse." The reflexive "himself" emphasizes personal responsibility and active human effort in the process of sanctification. This is not passive but a deliberate and continuous effort. However, it's empowered by God's grace, as purification is ultimately God's work in us (cf. Phil 2:12-13). It stands in contrast to merely ceremonial purification, stressing an internal, moral cleansing from sin.
• just as: Signifies comparison and conformity. It establishes a perfect standard to which the believer strives. This is the goal of sanctification – not just a vague idea of 'goodness' but specific Christ-likeness.
• He is pure: Refers to Christ, emphasizing His absolute and inherent sinlessness, moral perfection, and holiness (Greek: ἁγνός, hagnos). He is the ultimate pattern and measure of purity against which all human striving is measured. This sets an incredibly high, divine standard for the believer's ethical walk, indicating the aspiration to be without moral fault.

• "everyone who has this hope... purifies himself": This phrase highlights the intrinsic connection between genuine spiritual hope and practical ethical action. True hope is dynamic and transforms conduct; it's not abstract or inactive.
• "purifies himself, just as He is pure": This clause reveals both the agent and the standard of sanctification. Believers actively participate ("purifies himself") in the process, and the ultimate divine benchmark for this purity is Christ's own faultless nature ("just as He is pure"). This pursuit of Christ-like purity is motivated by the confident expectation of future conformity to Him.

1 John 3 3 Bonus section

This verse underscores the deeply practical nature of New Testament theology. Christian eschatology (study of future things) is not merely speculative but profoundly shapes present ethics. The hope of what we shall be directly influences what we currently do. Furthermore, it clarifies that while God initiates and empowers sanctification, there is a distinct human responsibility in "purifying himself." This isn't self-salvation, but rather diligent obedience to God's command and active cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The goal of such purification is not external piety but an internal purity of heart, mind, and action, aligning our very being with Christ’s own blamelessness.

1 John 3 3 Commentary

1 John 3:3 succinctly captures the ethical outworking of genuine Christian hope. It proclaims that the blessed future prospect of seeing Christ in His full glory and being transformed into His likeness is a potent catalyst for present moral purification. This verse directly refutes any notion that grace allows for complacency in sin or that theological belief can be divorced from practical holiness. The purification mentioned is an active, ongoing process (reflected in the continuous aspect often associated with the present tense of 'purifies' in Greek). It means separating oneself from evil and pursuing conformity to Christ's perfect righteousness. This striving is not about earning salvation but demonstrating its reality; it flows from an indwelling hope that actively seeks to mirror the very character of the Holy One.