1 John 3:2

Dear friends, even though ◄at present/now► we are God’s children, he has not yet ◄made clear/revealed► to us what we will be like in the future. However, we know that when Christ comes back again, we will be like him, because we will see what he is really like.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

In Context

1Think about how much our heavenly Father loves us! He allows us to ◄say that we are/be called► his children! And it is indeed true that we are his children. But people in the world [MTY] who are unbelievers have not understood who God is. So they do not understand who we are, that we belong to God.

3So, all those who confidently expect to see Christ as he actually is/what Christ is like when he returns must keep themselves pure in every way, just like Christ, who is pure in every way.

Read all of 1 John 3

Cross References

Job 19:26And even after diseases have eaten away my skin, while I still have my body, I will see God.

Psalms 17:15Yahweh, because I act righteously, I will some day see you [SYN]. When I awake, I will see you face-to-face, and then I will be happy.

Isaiah 56:5I will cause to be put inside the walls of my temple a monument [DOU] to them; because of that monument, they will be honored more than they would have if they had children; they will be honored forever.

Matthew 5:8God is pleased with people who think only about that which pleases him; some day they will be where God is and will see him.

Romans 8:14We who are guided by the Spirit of God {allow the Spirit of God to guide us} are God’s children.

Romans 8:29God knew previously that we would believe in him (OR, would be saved). We are those who God also decided previously would develop a character like his Son’s character. The result of that is that Christ is like a firstborn/highest-ranking son, and those/we who are God’s children [MET] are like [MET] many younger brothers of Jesus.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:2-4

Adoption. ( a. d. 80.) 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. The apostle, having shown the dignity of Christ's faithful followers,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 3:2