(Photo by Simon Spring on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 79, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:3.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him…
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
And (2532. kai) — This word connects the verse we are studying today, 1 John 3:3, to the previous verse, 1 John 3:2, which declares that when Christ appears, we will be like Him and see Him as He is.
Everyone (3956. pas) — Means the whole, or the entirety. No one is excluded.
Who (3588. ho, hé, to) has (2192. echó) — refers to a specific group of people who hold or possess something. The verb has emphasizes ongoing possession, something presently held and continually maintained, not a one-time or past event.
This (3778. houtos) — refers to a specific, definite object of reference, not something vague.
Hope (1680. elpis) — means a confident expectation and trust rooted in certainty, not wishful thinking, but a sure and eager anticipation.
In (1909. epi) Him (846. autos) — refers clearly and personally to Christ.
In other words, every person without exception who presently and continually holds this confident, assured hope specifically focused on Christ is connected to the promise of the future transformation and vision of Christ. This hope is active and ongoing, and it naturally leads the believer to live a life of purity, reflecting the reality of what is to come.
We will study the life of purity part in the next lesson.
Now, let’s dig into this part of the verse.
The hope John describes is centered on Christ. It is not vague optimism or a wish that things will turn out well.
It is a confident expectation grounded in who Jesus is and in what He has promised.
This hope is grounded in the certain reality of Christ’s return.
One day we will see Him as He is, and we will be changed to be like Him. Our hope looks forward to a future where we will be with Christ forever, face to face.
Biblical hope is centered on a person, not an outcome.
We are not trusting in improved circumstances, personal success, or a better version of this life.
We are trusting in Christ Himself, His character, His victory, His resurrection, and His promised return.
Our hope is not, “I hope things work out,” but, “I know whom I have believed.”
Because this hope is rooted in Christ, it is full of confidence and assurance.
It rests on the historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the unshakable promise that He will come again.
This makes it a living, active hope, something believers hold onto now, not just a promise for the future.
John makes it clear that this hope is for all believers. Everyone who has this hope in Him shares the same confident expectation.
It is not reserved for the spiritual elite but belongs to all who are in Christ.
Because it is active and ongoing, this hope shapes our hearts, guides our actions, and anchors us in times of trial.
Biblical hope is not general optimism. It is a certain, confident expectation fixed on Jesus Christ, our anchor today and our glory tomorrow.
Let us examine several passages of Scripture that affirm biblical hope in Jesus.
In Colossians 1:27, we see that because Christ lives in us, He is the source of our hope. This hope is not based on our circumstances, but on who Christ is and what He has promised.
Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
In 1 Timothy 1:1, we read the declaration that Christ Jesus is our hope. This is based on a person, not a concept. Hope is anchored in who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
In 1 Peter 1:3, we read that because of God's great mercy, He has caused us to be born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. When we believe in Jesus, we receive this mercy. The risen Christ Himself is our living hope.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
In Titus 2:11–13 , we read that God’s grace has appeared in Christ. He brings salvation to everyone and teaches us how to live. Our hope is in Christ, who will come again in glory.
Titus 2:11–13 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. 12 It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, our hope is not based on circumstances, but is firmly fixed on Jesus Christ Himself.
Here are some key takeaways from the verses we studied.
Since Christ lives in us, He is our source of hope. (Colossians 1:27)
By God’s great mercy, we have been given a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3)
Our hope is Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 1:1)
Jesus is the blessed hope, who is transforming our lives now and will come in glory to complete His work in us. (Titus 2:11–13)
Be encouraged, Christ lives in you and is your source of hope. By God’s mercy, you have new birth into a living hope through His resurrection. Jesus Himself is your hope, and the blessed hope is transforming your life now and will come in glory to complete His work in you.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
Lord Jesus, thank You for living in me and being my source of hope. Thank You for the new life You’ve given me through Your resurrection. Help me to trust in You as my hope, to live transformed by Your grace now, and to look forward with joy to Your glorious return. Amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse, one more time.
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him…
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Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
