3:2a
Beloved: (Meaning) As in 2:7, this indicates John’s loving attitude towards his readers. See the note on 2:7a.
3:2b
what we will be: (Meaning) John is not saying that we will stop being children of God and become something else. He is expecting that as God gives us his glory we will be changed, although John does not fully know what our changed state will be.
3:2c
when Christ appears: (Alternative Interpretations) In the Greek the subject of the verb is not expressed explicitly. This phrase in Greek is literally “when he appears.” There are two views about what the subject is and what the verb means:
(1) The subject is probably Christ, so the verb means “he appears.” As in 2:28, it refers to Christ returning to earth from heaven at some time in the future. (Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, King James Version, Living Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
(2) Some think the subject is “what we will be,” so the verb means “it is made known.” (The Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible)
3:2d
for we will see…: (Alternative Interpretations) There are two views about how this clause is linked to the rest of the sentence:
(1) It is probably giving the reason for our being like Christ. See Living Bible. As Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 3:18, the more we see Christ and know him the more the Holy Spirit is able to change us to be like him.
(2) Some think it is showing how we know that we will be like him.
as He is: (Emphasis) This is emphasizing that we will see Christ not unclearly or partially, but fully and truly. (See Good News Translation, The Jerusalem Bible, Living Bible)
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.