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1 John 3:2b-3 (NIV, 1984 version):
But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
Here’s the concept map I created for these verses:
Here is an image of my verse map for 1 John 3:2b-3. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 3:2b-3 (NIV 1984)
2 But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purify himself, just as he is pure.
Translations (key differences bolded)
NKJV: … but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
ASV: We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 3 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
NET: (We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is. 3 And everyone who has this hope focused on him purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure).
NLT: … but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
ESV: … but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: Encouragement to be pure
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word.
Appears
Greek:
Definition: to make visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to show one’s self
Be Like Him
Greek:
Definition: similar, resembling
See Him As He Is
Greek:
Definition: see with the eyes, see with the mind, perceive, know
Hope
Greek:
Definition: expectation of good, joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
Purifies
Greek:
Definition: to make pure, cleanse - both ceremonially and morally
Pure
Greek:
Definition: pure from every fault, immaculate, clean
Cross References
Colossians 3:4: When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
When Christ appears, we will appear with him.
Hebrews 9:28: so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Christ will appear a second time.
1 Corinthians 15:49: And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.
We will bear the likeness of Christ.
Philippians 3:20-21: 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Our bodies will be transformed to be like Christ.
Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Pure in heart will see God.
1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
We will see face to face.
2 Corinthians 3:18: And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
We are being transformed into his likeness.
Colossians 1:5: the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel
Hope stored in heaven that we heard about through the word of truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Jesus gives us hope which strengthens us.
Titus 3:7: so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Hope of eternal life.
2 Corinthians 7:1: Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Purify ourselves because of God’s promises.
Acts 15:9: He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Purify hearts by faith.
Hebrews 7:26: Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Jesus as high priest meets our needs because he is holy, pure.
View of God
One day, Christ will appear, and he will make all of those who believe in him be like him—he will transform them. This is a hope that he gives his followers in order to help them continue to follow him in obedience. Also, he is pure and perfect.
View of Man/Self
As humans, and as Christians, what gives us hope is that one day Christ will return and he will transform us to be fully like him. If we have this hope, it should spur us on to live pure and blameless lives.
Reflection and Application
If I believe in Jesus and truly have the hope that he will return again one day, I should be working to purify myself. I can do that by placing my faith in Jesus so he can be the one to pay the penalty for my sin and wash them away. I must also confess my sin and repent. I should stay away from people and places and situations that draw me into sin. Even if I cannot be perfect and holy through my own actions, I can have hope that one day I will be made perfect and holy fully.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that in this world, we have hope. Despite all the evil and chaos around us, we can hold on to the hope that one day you will return, and you will make us like you. Help me to hold on to this hope in such a way that it changes the way I live—that I would strive daily to purify myself from sin and live in a way that pleases you.
Amen. Thank you for the intricate exegesis of this text. God’s peace be with you. Amen