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 like him; for we shall see him as he is.
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 like him; for we shall see him as he is. John declares the present reality and future certainty of believers' identity. "Now are we the sons of God" (nun tekna theou esmen, νῦν τέκνα θεοῦ ἐσμεν) uses the present indicative to affirm our current status—not future hope but present possession. The term tekna (children) emphasizes our birth relationship to God, not mere legal adoption but regeneration producing actual divine life within us.
Yet paradoxically, "it doth not yet appear what we shall be" (oupō ephanerōthē ti esometha). Our glorified state remains hidden, not because it's uncertain but because its glory exceeds present comprehension. The "but we know" (oidamen) introduces certain hope: Christ's appearing will transform us into His likeness. The causal clause "for we shall see him as he is" (hoti opsometha auton kathōs estin) reveals the mechanism—the beatific vision produces transformation. Seeing Christ in His unveiled glory will complete our sanctification, conforming us perfectly to His image (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).
This verse grounds Christian assurance in both present reality (we are God's children now) and future hope (we shall be like Christ). The Reformed doctrine of perseverance finds support here—those who are God's children now will certainly be glorified. Our present sonship guarantees our future transformation, because God completes what He begins (Philippians 1:6).
Historical Context
The Johannine community faced Gnostic teachers who claimed special knowledge and present perfection. Some boasted of already achieving divine status through enlightenment. John counters this by affirming that while believers possess real sonship now, our ultimate glorification remains future. This tension between "already" and "not yet" was crucial for combating both presumption and despair.
The concept of divine sonship would have shocked ancient readers accustomed to Roman imperial propaganda claiming the emperor as "son of god." John asserts that ordinary believers—not Caesar—are God's true children. The promise of seeing God "as he is" also contradicted Greek philosophy's abstract deity who remained forever unknowable. John proclaims a God who will reveal Himself fully to His children.
Questions for Reflection
How does your present identity as God's child (not future possibility but current reality) affect your daily battles with sin and doubt?
What does it mean that seeing Christ 'as he is' will transform us into His likeness, and how does this inform our current pursuit of holiness?
How should the certainty of future glorification shape your response to present suffering and incomplete sanctification?
Analysis & Commentary
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 like him; for we shall see him as he is. John declares the present reality and future certainty of believers' identity. "Now are we the sons of God" (nun tekna theou esmen, νῦν τέκνα θεοῦ ἐσμεν) uses the present indicative to affirm our current status—not future hope but present possession. The term tekna (children) emphasizes our birth relationship to God, not mere legal adoption but regeneration producing actual divine life within us.
Yet paradoxically, "it doth not yet appear what we shall be" (oupō ephanerōthē ti esometha). Our glorified state remains hidden, not because it's uncertain but because its glory exceeds present comprehension. The "but we know" (oidamen) introduces certain hope: Christ's appearing will transform us into His likeness. The causal clause "for we shall see him as he is" (hoti opsometha auton kathōs estin) reveals the mechanism—the beatific vision produces transformation. Seeing Christ in His unveiled glory will complete our sanctification, conforming us perfectly to His image (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).
This verse grounds Christian assurance in both present reality (we are God's children now) and future hope (we shall be like Christ). The Reformed doctrine of perseverance finds support here—those who are God's children now will certainly be glorified. Our present sonship guarantees our future transformation, because God completes what He begins (Philippians 1:6).