Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 John 3:2

Having spoken of our present dignity, the Apostle goes on to speak of our future destiny. The Incarnation manifested our standing as children of God, but “it was not yet manifested what we shall be”. The aorist ἐφανερώθη (cf. ἔγνω in previous verse) refers to the historic manifestation in Jesus Christ. The N.T. says nothing definite about the nature of our future glory. With our present faculties we cannot conceive it. It must be experienced to be understood. Jesus simply assures us of the felicity of the Father's House, and bids us take His word for it (cf. John 14:2). ἐὰν φανερωθῇ, “if (cf. note on 1 John 2:28) it may be manifested,” taking up οὔπω ἐφανερώθη. This obvious connection is decisive against the rendering “if He shall be manifested” (cf. 1 John 2:28; Colossians 3:4). ὅτι, κ. τ. λ.: What we shall be was not manifested, but this we know that we shall be like Him. And how do we know it? From His promise that “we shall see Him even as He is” (cf. John 17:24). The argument is two-fold: (1) Vision of God implies likeness to Him in character and affection (cf. Matthew 5:8); (2) the vision of God transfigures (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18), even in this life.

“Ah! the Master is so fair,

His smile so sweet to banished men,

That they who meet it unaware

Can never rest on earth again.”

And how will it be when we “see Him face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12)? St. Augustine expresses much of the Apostle's thought in a beautiful sentence: “Tota vita Christiani boni sanctum desiderium est”.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 John 3:2

Old Testament

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