1 John 3:2
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The dialectic of realized and future eschatology in 1 John reaches a sustained expression: 'Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.' The present tense 'we are' (esmen) is insisted upon even as the future transformation is acknowledged as not yet appearing, resisting both an over-realized eschatology (we already are what we will be) and a deferring one (we are not yet children). The logic of transformation through vision — 'we shall be like him, because we shall see him' — draws on the ancient conviction that the soul is shaped by its object of contemplation (Numbers 12:8; Psalm 17:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Romans 8:29 and Philippians 3:21 develop the same conformity-to-Christ eschatology in different vocabulary.
Other Translations
Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
beloved, now, children of God are we, and it was not yet manifested what we shall be, and we have known that if he may be manifested, like him we shall be, because we shall see him as he is;
My loved ones, now we are children of God, and at present it is not clear what we are to be. We are certain that at his revelation we will be like him; for we will see him as he is.
Cross References
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there …
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought …
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than …
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like …
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may …
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, …