King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:2 Mean?

1 John 3:2 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 John 3:2 · KJV

Context

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.

4

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. John declares the present reality and future certainty of believers' identity. "Now are we the sons of God" (nun tekna theou esmen, νῦν τέκνα θεοῦ ἐσμεν) uses the present indicative to affirm our current status—not future hope but present possession. The term tekna (children) emphasizes our birth relationship to God, not mere legal adoption but regeneration producing actual divine life within us.

Yet paradoxically, "it doth not yet appear what we shall be" (oupō ephanerōthē ti esometha). Our glorified state remains hidden, not because it's uncertain but because its glory exceeds present comprehension. The "but we know" (oidamen) introduces certain hope: Christ's appearing will transform us into His likeness. The causal clause "for we shall see him as he is" (hoti opsometha auton kathōs estin) reveals the mechanism—the beatific vision produces transformation. Seeing Christ in His unveiled glory will complete our sanctification, conforming us perfectly to His image (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

This verse grounds Christian assurance in both present reality (we are God's children now) and future hope (we shall be like Christ). The Reformed doctrine of perseverance finds support here—those who are God's children now will certainly be glorified. Our present sonship guarantees our future transformation, because God completes what He begins (Philippians 1:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Johannine community faced Gnostic teachers who claimed special knowledge and present perfection. Some boasted of already achieving divine status through enlightenment. John counters this by affirming that while believers possess real sonship now, our ultimate glorification remains future. This tension between "already" and "not yet" was crucial for combating both presumption and despair.

The concept of divine sonship would have shocked ancient readers accustomed to Roman imperial propaganda claiming the emperor as "son of god." John asserts that ordinary believers—not Caesar—are God's true children. The promise of seeing God "as he is" also contradicted Greek philosophy's abstract deity who remained forever unknowable. John proclaims a God who will reveal Himself fully to His children.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your present identity as God's child (not future possibility but current reality) affect your daily battles with sin and doubt?
  2. What does it mean that seeing Christ 'as he is' will transform us into His likeness, and how does this inform our current pursuit of holiness?
  3. How should the certainty of future glorification shape your response to present suffering and incomplete sanctification?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Ἀγαπητοί,1 of 23

“Beloved”

G27

beloved

νῦν2 of 23

“now”

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

τέκνα3 of 23

“the sons”

G5043

a child (as produced)

Θεοῦ4 of 23

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐσμεν5 of 23

“are we”

G2070

we are

καὶ6 of 23

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὔπω7 of 23

“not yet”

G3768

not yet

φανερωθῇ8 of 23

“appear”

G5319

to render apparent (literally or figuratively)

τί9 of 23

“what”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐσόμεθα10 of 23

“we shall be”

G2071

will be

οἴδαμεν11 of 23

“we know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

δὲ12 of 23

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὅτι13 of 23

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐὰν14 of 23

“when”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

φανερωθῇ15 of 23

“appear”

G5319

to render apparent (literally or figuratively)

ὅμοιοι16 of 23

“like”

G3664

similar (in appearance or character)

αὐτὸν17 of 23

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐσόμεθα18 of 23

“we shall be”

G2071

will be

ὅτι19 of 23

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὀψόμεθα20 of 23

“we shall see”

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

αὐτὸν21 of 23

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καθώς22 of 23

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἐστιν23 of 23

“he is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 3:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 3:21Colossians 3:41 Corinthians 13:122 Corinthians 3:18Psalms 17:15Romans 8:29

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