Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Now (nun). Without waiting for the parousia or second coming. We have a present dignity and duty, though there is greater glory to come.
It is not yet made manifest (oupw efanerwqh). First aorist passive indicative of fanerow. For the aorist indicative with oupw with a future outlook Brooke notes Mark 11:2; I Corinthians 8:2; Hebrews 12:4; Revelation 17:10, Revelation 17:12.
What we shall be (ti esomeqa). Not tinev (who), but ti (what) neuter singular predicate nominative. "This what suggests something unspeakable, contained in the likeness of God" (Bengel).
If he shall be manifested (ean fanerwqh). As in I John 2:28, which see. The subject may be Christ as in verse I John 3:9, or the future manifestation just mentioned. Either makes sense, probably "it" here better than "he."
Like him (omoioi autw). Autw is associative instrumental case after omoioi. This is our destiny and glory (Romans 8:29), to be like Jesus who is like God (II Corinthians 4:6).
We shall see him even as he is (oyomeqa auton kaqwv estin). Future middle indicative of oraw. The transforming power of this vision of Christ (I Corinthians 13:12) is the consummation of the glorious process begun at the new birth (II Corinthians 3:18).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 John 3:2:
John 17:24
John 21:1
Romans 8:19
2 Corinthians 3:18
Colossians 3:4
Colossians 3:10
Hebrews 2:17
1 John 2:7
1 John 3:5
1 John 5:18
Revelation 22:4
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
