1 John 3:2 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

² Dearly loved ones, we are God’s children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

² 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

² Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Common English Bible

² Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is.

Catholic Public Domain Version

² Most beloved, we are now the sons of God. But what we shall be then has not yet appeared. We know that when he does appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

² Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is.

1 John 3:2 Cross References

Matthew 5:8

“Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] are blessed because they will see God.

Luke 17:30

“It will be the same way on the day the Son of man is revealed [i.e., at His second coming].

Luke 20:36

For they cannot die anymore either, because they are equal to the angels and are children of God, as well as children of the resurrection [i.e., people who are assured of being resurrected].

John 1:12

But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah].

John 11:52

And not just [die] for the [Jewish] nation, but also that He would assemble together into one body the children of God who were scattered [throughout the world].

John 17:24

“Father, I want those you gave me [i.e., the apostles, see verse 6] to be with me where I am [going], so they will see my splendor [i.e., in heaven], which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world.

Romans 8:16

The Holy Spirit Himself bears testimony [along] with our [human] spirit that we are the children of God.

Romans 8:18

For I consider that our present sufferings do not deserve to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us [i.e., in the future life].

Romans 8:19

For [all] creation [Note: “Creation” here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23] is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed [i.e., in their glorious state].

Romans 8:29

For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11].

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now [i.e., during the church’s infant state] we see in a mirror [Note: God’s word is elsewhere likened to a mirror. See James 1:22-25] indistinctly [i.e., because of having only partial knowledge and prophecy], but then [i.e., when the church matures and has the completed Scriptures], we will see face to face [i.e., clearly]. Now I have [only] partial knowledge, but then I will have full knowledge, just as [God has] full knowledge of me.

1 Corinthians 15:49

And just as we [now] appear [in both a physical and spiritual body] like the man who came from dust [i.e., Adam]; we will also [someday] appear [in both a physical (?) and a spiritual body] like the man who came from heaven [i.e., Christ].

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written [Isa. 64:4], “The things which no eye saw or ear heard, and which did not [even] enter the mind of men, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

But all of us [Christians], with unveiled faces, see the Lord’s splendor reflected, as [though we were] looking in a mirror, and [so] are being transformed into His likeness in ever-increasing splendor. This is [the work] of the Lord, [who is] the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our insignificant troubles [here on earth], which last only a short time, are producing for us an immeasurable, never ending [counter-] weight of splendor [i.e., in heaven. See Rom. 8:18]

Galatians 3:26

For all of you are children of God through your faith in Christ Jesus [as God’s only Son].

Galatians 4:6

And because you are [His] children, God sent the Holy Spirit of His Son into our hearts, to call out, “Abba,” [which means] “Father.”

Philippians 3:21

who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself.

Colossians 3:4

[So], when Christ, who is your [or, “our” source of] life, appears [i.e., at His second coming], then you people also will appear with Him in splendor [i.e., in heaven].

Hebrews 9:28

so Christ also, who was once [for all] offered [as a sacrifice] to take away the sins of many people, will come back a second time, not to take away sin, [but] to provide salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

2 Peter 1:4

By these [blessings] He has given to us the precious and tremendous promises, so that you people may share in His divine nature, [after] having escaped the world’s corruption, caused by evil desires.

1 John 2:28

And now, little children [i.e., dear ones], continue to live in [fellowship with] Christ, so that when He appears, we may have boldness and not have [any reason] to be ashamed in front of Him at His [second] coming.

1 John 2:7

My dearly loved ones, I am not writing to you about a new commandment, but about an old one. [It is the one] you had learned about from the beginning. [Note: This is the commandment to love one another (3:1; II John 5) which Jesus had taught his disciples during His earthly ministry. See Mark 12:31]. This old commandment is the word [of God] which you heard [previously].

1 John 3:1

Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is.

1 John 3:10

Here is how the children of God and the children of the devil can be recognized: All those who do not continue to do what is right do not belong to God. Also, the person who does not continue to love his brother [or sister does not belong to God].

1 John 3:21

Loved ones, if our hearts do not condemn us [i.e., because we are showing love by helping the needy], we can have boldness before God [in prayer for our own needs];

1 John 5:1

Every person who believes that Jesus is the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God. And everyone who [continually] loves God, who did the conceiving, also [must continually] love the person whom God has [spiritually] conceived.

Revelation 2:28

And I will give him the morning star [Note: Jesus is called “the Morning Star” in 22:16].

Revelation 22:4

and they will see His face, and His name will be [written] on their foreheads.