1 John 3:2 – “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
Extended Explanation
John starts this verse by reminding believers of something solid: Right now, we are God’s children. Not someday, not if we work hard enough—now. But then he adds something that stretches our thinking. He says that what we will become hasn’t been fully shown yet. There’s more to this story than what we can see right now.
John is pointing us toward the future. He’s saying, “You’re already God’s child, but you haven’t seen the full picture of what that means.” When Jesus comes back, when He returns and we finally see Him clearly, something incredible will happen. We will be changed to be like Him. That doesn’t mean we’ll become God, but that our brokenness will be gone. Our bodies, minds, and hearts will be made new. We will finally see Jesus face to face, without the veil of this world’s confusion and sin.
Historical Context
John wrote this letter to early Christians who were living in uncertain and hard times. Many of them were being pushed out of society and facing trouble because of their faith. Some false teachers were spreading lies that confused people about who Jesus really was and what it meant to belong to Him.
This verse was written to encourage them to look beyond their present struggles. John is reminding them (and us) that what we see now isn’t all there is. The full picture of what God is doing in us and for us will only be clear when Jesus returns.
In the first century, believers longed for Jesus’ return because life was hard, and the promise of a future where all things would be made right gave them hope.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that being a child of God is both a present reality and a future promise. Right now, we belong to God, but we are still being shaped and changed. The full result of God’s work in us will be revealed when Jesus appears.
It also points to the hope of the second coming of Christ—that He will return in glory, and when He does, we will be fully transformed. This is not something we achieve; it’s something God will do for us and in us.
Literary Analysis
John uses family language again: “children of God.” He also uses language of time—“now” and “what we will be.” He’s pulling readers into the tension of the already-but-not-yet truth of the Christian life.
There’s also a strong note of certainty in John’s words. He doesn’t claim to know all the details of the future, but he is sure of one thing: “We shall be like Him.” The verse carries hope, longing, and assurance all at once.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Philippians 3:20-21 – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who… will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
- Romans 8:29-30 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.”
- Colossians 3:4 – “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For the believer today, this verse is both a comfort and a challenge. It reminds you that no matter how broken, weak, or unfinished you feel—you are already God’s child.
But it also pulls your eyes forward. Life now is not the end of the story. The best is still ahead. You may not see how God is shaping you, but one day, when Jesus returns, you will stand face to face with Him, fully restored and made like Him.
This truth should encourage you when life is messy, when the world feels heavy, and when you wonder if you’re growing at all. God isn’t finished with you yet.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Only a loving God would take broken people and not only call them His children but also promise to transform them into something glorious.
God’s love is not distant. He’s not just tolerating us—He’s preparing us for something beautiful, something eternal. His love is active. It is shaping us now and promises a future that is beyond what we can imagine.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is rooted in the reality of Jesus’ return.
It’s because of Jesus’ death and resurrection that we can even be called God’s children (see John 1:12-13).
It’s because of Jesus’ ongoing work that we are being transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18).
And it’s because of Jesus’ future return that our transformation will be complete.
John is pointing to the day when believers will see Jesus “as He is”—no longer through faith alone, but face to face—and be made like Him.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does knowing you are already God’s child encourage you today?
- What does it mean to you to be made like Jesus when He appears?
- How can this promise give you hope when life feels uncertain or hard?
- In what ways is God shaping and transforming you right now?
- How might the promise of seeing Jesus “as He is” change the way you live today?