3:2 {3} 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 {c} like him; for we shall see him {d} as he is.
(3) The other: This dignity is not fully revealed to us ourselves, much less to strangers, but we are sure of the accomplishment of it, in as much as we shall be like the Son of God himself and shall enjoy his sight indeed, such as he is now, but yet this is deferred until his next coming.
(c) Like, but not equal.
(d) For now we see as in a glass 1Co 13:12
3:2 Now are we the sons of God. Already we have the great privilege of being sons,
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. Our future glory is not yet manifest. Even we ourselves cannot understand it.
But we know that, when he shall appear. One glorious revelation has been made. At the coming of Christ
we shall be like him. Then we shall be like him in body. See Php 3:21. We shall also be found morally in his image.
For we shall see him as he is. To look upon him has power to change us into his glory. See 2Co 3:18.
3:2 It doth not yet appear - Even to ourselves. What we shall be - It is something ineffable, which will raise the children of God to be, in a manner, as God himself. But we know, in general, that when he, the Son of God, shall appear, we shall be like him - The glory of God penetrating our inmost substance. For we shall see him as he is - Manifestly, without a veil. And that sight will transform us into the same likeness.
3:1,2 Little does the world know of the happiness of the real followers of Christ. Little does the world think that these poor, humble, despised ones, are favourites of God, and will dwell in heaven. Let the followers of Christ be content with hard fare here, since they are in a land of strangers, where their Lord was so badly treated before them. The sons of God must walk by faith, and live by hope. They may well wait in faith, hope, and earnest desire, for the revelation of the Lord Jesus. The sons of God will be known, and be made manifest by likeness to their Head. They shall be transformed into the same image, by their view of him.
