Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Though they are now God’s children, the unveiling of their identity or the complete revelation of their nature still lies in the future (probably only at the last time). John does not encourage speculation in these matters. His concern is to reiterate the “tradition” from which the promise comes. He (Jesus) will appear. We will see him as he truly is; his full glory will be revealed (cf. Jn 17:1, 5, 24). And we will become like him. That the author is once more presenting the teaching shared in the church “from the beginning” seems clear from its similarity to Paul’s teaching in Ro 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:4.