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I. THE SONS OF GOD ARE NOW HIDDEN.

1. How?

(1) As to their persons (1 John 3:1). It is not exactly known in the winter, when the roots lie in the earth, what will appear in the spring.

(2) As to their life (Colossians 3:3). They are hidden not only in point of security, as maintained by an invisible power; but in point of obscurity. Because the spiritual life is hidden under —

(a) The veil of the natural life; it is a life within a life (Galatians 2:20).

(b) The veil of afflictions, outward meanness, and abasement (Hebrews 11:37, 38).

(c) The veil of reproaches and calumnies (1 Peter 4:6). They are presented in the world as a company of hypocrites (2 Corinthians 6:8).

(d) The veil of infirmities, by which they often obscure the glory of that life which they have.

(3) As to their privileges, and the glory of their estate. There must be a distinction between earth and heaven. For the present, our glory is —

(a) Spiritual, and maketh no fair show in the flesh, as the image of God is an internal thing (Psalm 45:13).

(b) Future. The time of our perfection and blessedness is not yet come, and we cannot for the present judge of it, nor the world imagine what it shall be.

2. From whom? Not from God (2 Timothy 2:19); not from Christ (John 10:14); not from angels (Hebrews 1:14); but —

(1) From the world, as colours from a blind man (1 Corinthians 2:14).

(2) In a great measure from ourselves. What with corruptions within, and temptations without, we have much ado to be persuaded that God is our Father, and we His children; our condition being so unsuitable, and our conversations so much beneath our rights and privileges; so that it needeth to be cleared by the Spirit of adoption (ver. 16). When that is done, yet the glory intended to be revealed in us is not sufficiently known (1 Corinthians 2:9).

3. Why?

(1) Because now is the time of trial, hereafter of recompense. Therefore now is the hiding-time; hereafter is the day of manifestation. If the glory were too sensible, there were no trial, neither of the world, nor of the people of God.

(2) God hath chosen this way to advance His glory, that He may perfect His power in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

(3) To wean us from things present to things to come (2 Corinthians 4:18).

II. THEY SHALL BE MANIFESTED.

1. Their persons shall be known and owned (Revelation 3:5). No more doubt when owned, not by character, but by name.

2. They shall be manifested to themselves, and their glory also revealed to the world by the visible marks of favour Christ will put upon them, when others are rejected (Isaiah 66:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:10).

III. THIS MANIFESTATION OUGHT EARNESTLY TO BE DESIRED AND EXPECTED BY US.

1. To this end the apostle mentions the earnest expectation of the creature, and the day principally concerns us (Song of Solomon 8:14; Revelation 22:20). The saints look for Christ's coming (Titus 2:13) by faith and hope; and long for His coming (2 Timothy 4:8) in a way of love.

2. Now His coming must be desired by us with —

(1)  Earnestness (2 Corinthians 5:2).

(2)  Constancy.

(3)  Patience (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

(T. Manton, D.D.)

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KJV: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

WEB: For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.