What does 1 John 3:2 mean?

Explanation

1 John 3:2 is a verse that reveals the Christian hope in becoming like Christ in his future coming.

Literally, it recognizes Christians as children of God but acknowledges that their final state is not fully known or revealed.

There is an assurance that at the coming (appearance or revelation) of Christ, believers will be transformed to be like him.

At this time, they will see him "as he is," which implies a direct and unmediated perception of Christ in his glory, unlike the current indirect knowledge of God.

This verse touches on eschatology, the study of last things or end times, promising a future transformation and complete understanding of divine nature.

Historical Context

The First Epistle of John is traditionally believed to have been written by John the Apostle, although the specific authorship has been debated.

The epistle is thought to have been written between 85-95 AD.

It addresses a Christian community that was facing internal schisms and the spread of false teachings, specifically Gnosticism, which proposed a secret knowledge for salvation and often denied the full humanity or divinity of Jesus.

The text encourages believers to live in love and righteousness as true followers of Christ.

Theological Insights

From an orthodox Christian perspective, this verse underscores the concept of theosis or deification, the transformative process of believers becoming more like God in holiness.

There is also an implicit affirmation of the bodily resurrection, where believers will be transformed to have glorified bodies like Christ's resurrected body.

Different Christian traditions interpret the "appearance" of Christ in varied ways, ranging from a literal second coming to a symbolic manifestation in the believer's life.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a source of hope and encouragement for believers to persevere in their faith, knowing that their current struggles and the incomplete state of their knowledge and sanctification are temporal.

The promise of being made like Christ motivates ethical living and spiritual growth, as believers are called to prepare for this ultimate transformation by living lives that reflect God's love and righteousness.

Cross-References

• Romans 8:29: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
• Philippians 3:21: "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
• 2 Corinthians 3:18: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

• "φανερωθῇ" (phanerothē): This term is often translated "appear" or "revealed" and indicates making visible what is presently unseen.
• "ὅμοιοι" (homoioi): Translated as "like" or "similar," implying a likeness or conformity to another.
• "ὄψομαι" (opsomai): Translated as "we shall see," which refers to seeing with the eyes, but in a deeper sense, it can mean understanding or perceiving clearly.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other religious traditions, there are parallels to the concept of becoming like a deity or enlightened being, such as in Hinduism's idea of moksha, when the soul is liberated from the cycle of death and rebirth and unites with the divine.

However, the Christian idea as presented in 1 John 3:2 is distinctive in its emphasis on a personal relationship with a personal God as the basis for transformation.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the transformation spoken of in the verse can be viewed symbolically rather than physically, taking into account the transformative effects of beliefs and practices on the human mind and behavior.

Neuroscientific studies have shown that sustained meditative and spiritual practices can lead to long-term changes in the brain associated with increased compassion, empathy, and self-regulation.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians provide diverse perspectives on 1 John 3:2.

Commentators like John Stott highlight the moral likeness to Christ that is an ultimate goal for believers.

Others focus on eschatological aspects, interpreting the verse in light of the expected second coming of Jesus.

Meanwhile, some scholars, like Raymond E.

Brown, analyze the Johanine context of the phrase, exploring how this idea of divine sonship and future revelation fits into the larger themes of the epistle, such as love, light, and truth.