Albert Barnes Commentary 1 John 3:2

"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." — 1 John 3:2 (ASV)

Beloved, now are we the sons of God. We now, in fact, sustain this rank and dignity, and we may reflect on that with pleasure and gratitude. It is in itself an exalted honor and may be contemplated as such, whatever may be true concerning what is to come. In the dignity and privileges we now enjoy, we may find a subject for grateful reflection and a cause for thankfulness, even if we should look to nothing beyond, or when we contemplate the fact by itself.

And it doth not yet appear what we shall be. It is not fully revealed what we shall be in the future; what will be the full result of being regarded as the children of God. There are, indeed, certain things that may be inferred as following from this. There is enough to animate us with hope and to sustain us in the trials of life. There is one thing that is clear: we shall be like the Son of God; but what is fully involved in this is not made known.

1. Perhaps it could not be revealed in such a way that we could understand it, because that state may be so unlike the present that no words could fully convey the conception to our minds.
2. Perhaps it may be necessary for our condition here, as on probation, that no more light should be provided concerning the future than what is needed to stimulate us to make efforts to reach a world where all is light. For an illustration of the sentiment expressed here by the apostle, see Barnes' notes on 2 Peter 1:4.

But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him. It is revealed to us that we shall be made like Christ; that is, in the bodies with which we shall be raised up, in character, in happiness, in glory. (See Barnes' notes on Philippians 3:21; see also his notes on 2 Corinthians 3:18.)

This is enough to satisfy the Christian in his prospects for the future world. To be like Christ is the object of his supreme aim. For that he lives, and all his aspirations concerning the coming world may be summed up in this—that he wishes to be like the glorified Son of God and to share his honors and his joys. (See Barnes' notes on Philippians 3:10.)

For we shall see him as he is. It is clearly implied here that there will be an influence in beholding the Savior as He is, which will tend to make us like Him, or to transform us into His likeness. See the nature of this influence explained in Barnes' notes on 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Regarding the phrase "see him," refer to Job 19:26; Psalms 17:15; Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:12.