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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 John 3:3 - 3:3
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Every man that hath (πᾶς ὁ ἔχων)
A characteristic form of expression with John, containing “a reference to some who had questioned the application of a general principle in particular cases.” Here to some persons who had denied the practical obligation to moral purity involved in their hope. See 1Jo 3:4, 1Jo 3:6, 1Jo 3:9, 1Jo 3:10, 1Jo 3:15, 1Jo 3:23, 1Jo 3:24; 1Jo 4:7; 1Jo 5:1, 1Jo 5:4, 1Jo 5:18; 2Jo 1:9.
Hope
John's only reference to Christian hope. The phrase used here, to have the hope upon one, is unique in the New Testament. Compare ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἔθνη ἐλπιοῦσιν “on Him shall the Gentiles hope” (Rom 15:12): ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ Θεῷ ζῶντι “we have hoped on the living God” (1Ti 4:10). On the force of ἔχων, see on Joh 16:22.
In Him (ἐπ' αὐτῷ)
Ambiguous. Better, as Rev., set on Him.
Purifieth himself (ἁγνίζει ἑαυτόν)
On the verb, see on 1Pe 1:22; see on Jam 4:8. In the Septuagint used only of ceremonial purification, and so four out of the seven instances in which it occurs in the New Testament (Joh 11:55; Act 21:24, Act 21:26; Act 24:18). In the remaining cases, of purifying the heart and the soul (Jam 4:8; 1Pe 1:22). The kindred adjective ἁγνός pure, has a moral signification in every case, as has the noun ἁγότης pureness (only 2Co 6:6). Ἁγνισμός purification (only Act 21:26), ceremonial.
He (ἐκεῖνος)
Christ, as always in the Epistle.
Pure (ἁγνός)
See above. Though marking moral and spiritual purity, and that of a very high grade, since it is applied to Christ here, yet it admits the thought of possible temptation or pollution, thus differing from ἅγιος, which means absolutely holy. Hence ἁγνός cannot properly be applied to God, who is ἅγιος; but both may be used of Christ, the latter in virtue of His human perfection.