1 John 3:3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. I. The first thing here implied is INCORRUPTION. In purity or in holiness there is incorruption, or incorruptibility. "Every man that hath this hope" has a knowledge of his entire corruption and depravity; and he consequently comes, in his faith, in his desires, in his hope, out of this, and his hope centres in an incorruptible God. He has an incorruptible religion; God the Father appears in His incorruptibility in all the love of His heart, God the Son appears in His incorruptibility, God the Holy Ghost appears in His incorruptibility. We shall be invigorated to all eternity with all the freshness of incorruptibility. II. Purity signifies also QUALIFICATION. "Every man that hath this hope," comes out of his own thoughts into God's thoughts, comes out of his own sentiments into God's sentiments, comes out of his own ways into God's ways; and therefore we read of a man's "ceasing from his own wisdom." What is the whole object of the gospel towards us? Why, to make known the mind of the Lord concerning us; and if I know the mind of God concerning me, that what He has done is for me, that His Holy Spirit is for me, that His testimony in the Holy Scripture is for me, why, being of one mind with Him, I am fit to live with God. There is no collision; there is perfect harmony. III. Purity also supposes RIGHT. "Every man that hath this hope" conies out of his state of having no right to anything, into a right and title to the things of eternity. And what is our right to eternal glory? Why, that question may be answered several ways, but I answer it in these few words: our right to eternal glory is the authority of God. IV. Purity supposes also LIBERTY. Where is our bondage? In sin. Sin is our bondage. The flesh, the law, the world — these things are our bondage. But holiness purity is our liberty. Then "every man that hath this hope" comes into liberty. Christ having led captivity captive, has for Himself and for us perfect liberty. What is to hold Him? The law is established, the covenant confirmed, the promises Yea and Amen: He has dominion over all worlds. (James Wells.) Parallel Verses KJV: And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.WEB: Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. |
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