The Meaning of 1 John 3:2: We Shall Be Like Him?

It’s true, but maybe not in the way that you’ve been told.

God does have a purpose for you, but it’s quite different from the purpose many proclaim today. His purpose for you is greater than mere health, wealth and happiness in this life. In fact, it is far greater—it involves an amazing transformation.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

With the aid of this and other passages from Scripture, we can put together details of God’s plan for you and for me.

What is the meaning of 1 John 3:2?

“Now we are children of God”

In the Bible, God reveals Himself as the Father. He views us, humanity, as His children. 

As our Father, God desires His children to grow up to be just like Him—for our benefit.

On the physical level, our Christian calling is all about using God’s help to be transformed to resemble Him in attitude and character.

For example, the Ninth Commandment prohibits us from lying (Exodus 20:16), which helps us follow the example of our God “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2; see also Hebrews 6:18 and Numbers 23:19). By obeying the Ninth Commandment, we develop the quality of honesty, part of the character of God Himself.

As Christians, we dedicate ourselves to becoming more like God every day. By keeping His commandments and growing closer to Him, we gradually learn to emulate His mind and character.

But there is more to it than just emulating God in action.

“We shall be like Him”

Children grow up to resemble their parents in more ways than one. Many children pick up their parents’ traits, habits and worldview as they mature. Sometimes, they even grow up to resemble them in appearance.

In 1 John 3:2 we see that this will be the case for the children of God as well. The focus of Christianity is to become like God in our hearts and minds. However, in Scripture, God also promises a reward that includes a physical transformation into His likeness.

Scripture speaks often of the disparity between flesh and spirit. The human body is weak and susceptible to sin (Mark 14:38). So long as we are in fleshly bodies, we will always face temptation.

In Romans 7:14-25, Paul laments the weakness of his flesh. We can all relate to his frustration of knowing what is right and good, yet still falling short of it. He describes it as a war within himself (verse 23). 

For us to complete our journey to become children of God, a transformation from flesh must take place. Human flesh is inherently corruptible and weak—but God is not made of flesh.

A Christian’s future is to be transformed from physical flesh into eternal, incorruptible spirit If we are to become fully like God, we must be transformed into spirit, as He is spirit. Paul speaks at length of this transformation in 1 Corinthians 15, often called the Resurrection Chapter. He writes of a resurrection from the dead, not back to physical life, but to spiritual life:

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (verses 42-44).

A Christian’s future is to be transformed from physical flesh into eternal, incorruptible spirit: “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust [Adam], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man [Jesus Christ]” (verse 49).

Indeed, the Bible promises much more than physical blessings for those who follow God. True children of God will be transformed so that they will be like Him—in character and in body.

Our frail human minds cannot fully conceive of a spiritual existence, but this is the mystery that 1 John 3:2 alludes to. We simply don’t have the mental capacity to see the full picture (1 Corinthians 2:9).

“For we shall see Him as He is”

Yet John reveals that when we are spirit, we’ll be able to see God as He is. 

When we are finally like God, we will have a deeper level of connection with Him than ever before. We will understand Him more than we ever could as frail humans. Unlike human beings, who cannot look upon God in His full glory and live (Exodus 33:20), as spirit beings, we’ll be able to look upon Him face-to-face. 

Only in a spiritual body can we live eternally. No one would truly desire eternal life in a human body that breaks down and weakens with age. A spiritual body does not decay. It does not tire. It does not diminish. It endures forever—just as God does.

As spirit beings, we won’t wrestle with temptation as we now do. The battle between spirit and flesh described in Romans 7 will cease. We will be fully like God, no longer contending with human nature.

(For more on the nature of spirit, check out our article “What Is Spirit?”)

When does this transformation take place?

John tells us when to expect the transformation from flesh into spirit: It will be “when He is revealed” (1 John 3:2). This is a clear reference to Jesus Christ’s return to rule the earth.

In Revelation 19:11, we read of Jesus descending from heaven upon a white horse. When this occurs, Christ will raise faithful Christians who have died throughout all history (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:4-6). Those who rise from the dead will be transformed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

It is at this same time that those who are still alive will join them: 

If you’ve ever wondered what the purpose is for your life, the place to look is in the pages of your Bible. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

We don’t know the time or date of Christ’s return, but we can rest assured that He is coming. As we wait, it is our Christian duty to prepare for that day with diligence and zeal.   

For more on the resurrection of the dead at Christ’s return, read our article “What Are the Resurrections?”

God’s great purpose for humanity includes you

God has a great and awe-inspiring purpose for all of humanity, and it includes every single person who has ever been born. 

Hebrews 2:10 tells us that it is God’s purpose to bring “many sons to glory.” Peter adds that He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

That means you.

This involves keeping His commandments, both in the letter and the spirit. It involves building a relationship with God through prayer and Bible study. It involves dedicating our lives to serving Him and His people.

God promises more than just eternal life—He promises us eternal life in spiritual bodies like His: Perfect. Incorruptible. Righteous. This powerful existence won’t just be for our own pleasure—but will be used to teach and serve others (Revelation 5:10). 

This isn’t a promise that God has reserved only for the great and powerful. It is, rather, a promise that He will extend to the entire world. 

It’s up to you to accept it.

Date Posted: August 26, 2026