1 John 3:2

Beloved This form of address only occurs once in the first part of the Epistle (1 John 2:7), just where the subject of love appears for a few verses: it becomes the more common form of address (1 John 3:2; 1Jn 3:21, 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11) now that the main subject is love. Similarly, in 1 John 3:13, where brotherlylove is the special subject, -brethren" is the form of address.

now are we the sons of God Rather, as before, now are we children of God. -Now" is placed first in emphatic contrast to -not yet," which has a similar position. Our privileges in this world are certain; our glories in the world to come still continue veiled. The term -children" is in harmony with this: -child" necessarily implies future development; -son" does not.

it doth not yet appear Better, as R. V., it is not yet made manifest; it is the same verb as we have already had 1 John 1:2; 1 John 2:19; 1 John 2:28. As it is one of S. John's favourite expressions it is all the more important that it should be rendered in the same way throughout his writings. See on 1 John 2:28.

but we know that, when he shall appear The -but" must be omitted on overwhelming evidence (א ABC, Vulgate): We know that if it shall be manifested. Here there is no difference of reading (as there is in 1 John 2:28) between -when" and -if"; but earlier English Versions, under the influence of the Vulgate (cum apparuerit), have -when" in both cases. -If" in both cases is right; but it has been either changed in the Greek, or shirked in translation, as appearing to imply a doubt respecting the manifestation. It implies no doubt as to the fact, but shews that the resultsof the fact are more important than the time: comp. - ifI be lifted up from the earth", and - IfI go and prepare a place for you" (John 12:32; John 14:3).

It is less easy to determine between -if itshall be manifested" and -if Heshall be manifested; -it" meaning what we shall be hereafter, and -He" meaning Christ. No nominative is expressed in the Greek, and it is rather violent to supply a new nominative, differing from that of the very same verb in the previous sentence: therefore -it" seems preferable. -We know that if our future state is made manifest we, who are children of God, shall be found like our Father". On the other hand, 1 John 2:28 favours -if Heshall be manifested." The word for know (οἴδαμεν) is that used in 1 John 2:20-21, not that used in 1 John 2:3; 1 John 2:13-14; 1Jn 2:18, 1 John 3:1. No progressin knowledge is implied, no additional experience:our future resemblance to our Father is a fact of which as Christians we are aware: comp. 1 John 5:18-20.

we shall be like him If we render -if He(i.e. Christ) shall be manifested", this naturally means -we shall be like Christ;" which, however true in itself, is not the point. The point is that children are found to be like their Father. This is an additional reason for preferring -if itshall be manifested". Tyndale and Cranmer have -it", Wiclif, Genevan, and Rhemish have -he".

for we shall see him as he is Better, because we shall see Him even as He is;-because" as in 1 John 3:9; 1Jn 3:20; 1 John 3:22, 1 John 2:13-14, &c., and -even as" as in 1 John 3:3; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:23, 1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:27, &c. -Because" or -for" may give the cause either (1) of our knowingthat we shall be like Him, or (2) of our beinglike Him. Both make good sense; but, in spite of -we know" being the principal sentence grammatically, the statement which most needs explanation is the subordinate one, that we shall be like God. -We shall be like Him", says the Apostle, -because, as you know, we shall see Him". Comp. -But we all, with unveiled face reflectingas a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same imagefrom glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18); the sight of God will glorify us. This also is in harmony with the prayer of the great High Priest; -And the glory which Thou hast given Me, I have given unto them" (John 17:22). Comp. -And they shall see His face" (Revelation 22:4). The - evenas" emphasizes the reality of the sight: no longer -in a mirror, darkly", but -face to face".