And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. The hope of glorification mentioned in verse 2 produces present purification. "Every man that hath this hope" (pas ho echōn tēn elpida tautēn) makes this universal—all who genuinely possess this hope demonstrate its reality through moral transformation. The present tense "purifieth" (hagnizei, ἁγνίζει) indicates ongoing, habitual action, not one-time ceremonial cleansing but continuous moral purification.
The reflexive "himself" (heauton) emphasizes personal responsibility in sanctification. While God works in us (Philippians 2:13), we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Divine sovereignty and human agency coexist in sanctification without contradiction. The standard is "even as he is pure" (kathōs ekeinos hagnos estin)—Christ's perfect holiness sets the goal. We cannot yet achieve sinless perfection (1:8), but we must aim at Christ's standard, growing progressively in holiness.
This verse refutes both antinomianism and works-righteousness. Against antinomianism, it proves that genuine hope produces holiness—faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Against works-righteousness, it grounds purification in hope (grace received) not in achieving merit. We purify ourselves because we have this hope, not to obtain it. The hope of becoming like Christ motivates present transformation.
Historical Context
The Greek verb hagnizō had both ceremonial and moral connotations in Jewish culture. The Septuagint used it for ritual purification required before worship or special occasions (Exodus 19:10, Numbers 8:21). By the first century, Jewish piety emphasized moral purity alongside ceremonial observances. John applies this purification language to Christian sanctification—believers purify themselves not through ritual washings but through moral transformation motivated by eschatological hope.
This teaching directly contradicted Gnostic ethics. Some Gnostic teachers claimed that since matter was evil and spirit was good, bodily actions were irrelevant to spirituality. Others pursued ascetic extremes to punish the body. John presents biblical balance: hope produces holiness, and holiness involves concrete moral choices in bodily existence.
Questions for Reflection
How does your belief in future glorification specifically affect your current choices regarding purity in thought, word, and deed?
What's the relationship between God purifying us (passive) and us purifying ourselves (active) in the process of sanctification?
How does aiming at Christ's perfect standard (even while unable to achieve it) differ from both perfectionism and settling for mediocrity?
Analysis & Commentary
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. The hope of glorification mentioned in verse 2 produces present purification. "Every man that hath this hope" (pas ho echōn tēn elpida tautēn) makes this universal—all who genuinely possess this hope demonstrate its reality through moral transformation. The present tense "purifieth" (hagnizei, ἁγνίζει) indicates ongoing, habitual action, not one-time ceremonial cleansing but continuous moral purification.
The reflexive "himself" (heauton) emphasizes personal responsibility in sanctification. While God works in us (Philippians 2:13), we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Divine sovereignty and human agency coexist in sanctification without contradiction. The standard is "even as he is pure" (kathōs ekeinos hagnos estin)—Christ's perfect holiness sets the goal. We cannot yet achieve sinless perfection (1:8), but we must aim at Christ's standard, growing progressively in holiness.
This verse refutes both antinomianism and works-righteousness. Against antinomianism, it proves that genuine hope produces holiness—faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Against works-righteousness, it grounds purification in hope (grace received) not in achieving merit. We purify ourselves because we have this hope, not to obtain it. The hope of becoming like Christ motivates present transformation.