There is … However, this view seems to suggest that God’s love is impotent and Christ’s death is ineffectual. John 3:17 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] John 3:17, NIV: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17, ESV: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." May 15, 2015 by admin. Again, this view strikes an important note by underscoring the biblical doctrine of election, but the focus of the term “world” in John 3:16 is not so much on the identity of God’s people but on the nature of God’s love. What is the meaning of “world” in this passage? John 3:16, "God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that everyone who has faith in Him may not die but have eternal life." [John 3:16 KJV] I don't see how most Christians define the word "whosoever" as "anybody" and "all." In this verse, God the Father and God the Son are the sources of sacrificial love for the World. This is the most popular verse in … But they thought the coming Messiah was only for them. There is no limitation, it is all inclusive . This thought is now repeated and strengthened by the “might not perish,” and the love of God is made the foundation on which it rests. “All that the Father gives me will come to me” (6:37). Your gift enables our worldwide outreach. An article by A.W. John 3:16 gives two destinies for man, eternal life, or perish. The answer, simply, is nothing. It has also been called the "Gospel in a nutshell", because it is considered a summary of the central theme of traditional Christianity:. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In the first place, many people believe that “world” means all people without exception. The death of Christ on the cross was not only for Jews but also for Gentiles. John 3:16 (chapter 3, verse 16 of the Gospel of John of the New Testament) is one of the most widely quoted verses from the Bible and has been called the most famous Bible verse. Category: Articles. Site Supporter. One of the most surprising twists of John 3:16 is that we are told God loves the world.... Continue Reading My question is about eternal death. To this, all God’s people––Arminian and Calvinist alike––say a hearty “Amen.” While this view has the benefit of being undoubtedly right and fits within the larger context of John’s gospel concerning the global identity of the “children of God” (e.g., John 1:9–13; 4:42), it doesn’t quite capture the jolting contrast between “God so loved” and “the world” that John 3:16 deliberately draws. In other words, when John 3:16 says that God loves the world, it means that He loves every person, head for head… in all its fullness to as many people as possible. The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries is to proclaim the holiness of God The saints must not come to an understanding of the world of John 3:16 by a quick assumption, but by careful interpretation of … KJV: taketh away the sin of the world. “I am the good shepherd. Our God is righteous and holy and bears wrath for a world in rebellion. God has expanded the extent of the atonement through Jesus Christ to all nations and people groups rather than just Israel. “John 3:16”—it’s been printed on the bottom of soft drink cups, put on posters, waved at athletic events, and flashed across people’s TV screens.But what exactly is John 3:16 talking about? John 3:16 is not about the greatness of the world but about the greatness of God. The love of God is not confined to national boundaries but extends to all kinds of nations, tribes, cultures, tongues, and peoples. From John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This is literally ALL, everyone. Explaining the Inner Meaning of John 3 Verses 3:1, 2. The verse that is perhaps the most widely displayed verse from the entire Bible— John 3:16. Joined: May 14, 2001 Messages: 26,977 Likes Received: 2,535 Faith: Baptist. John 3:16 NASB World – Nearly sixty years of theological reflection on the meaning of the events in the life of Yeshua had passed by the time John wrote his gospel account. Friday, August 7, 2020, 10 Things You Should Know about the Most Famous…, God’s Immeasurable Love (Part One of an Exploration…, The One Book: B. The word “world” is the Greek “kosmos.” Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is why Jesus came to earth in a nutshell: John 3:16-21 . John 3:16 is one of the most widely quoted verses from the Bible and has been called the most famous Bible verse. What does John 3:16 mean? Sodom is given as an example. All humanity minus believers - John 7:7; 15:18. The phrase "whosoever believes in Him" does not imply that man has the innate ability to trust in Christ. ... this is no proof that it should have this meaning in John 3:16. Today’s English Version John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much, that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him, may not die but have eternal life." . No greater act of love is known to mankind! How can perish mean eternal death? “I am the good shepherd. INT: and the world him not. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “For God So Loved the World” Is a Picture of Love. In his sermon “God’s Immeasurable Love,” Warfield probes the meaning of the term “world” (Greek kosmos) in John 3:16 in order to plumb the depths of God’s love. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Otherwise, the natural conclusion of this position would be that every person is actually saved rather than just potentially saved. I would like to know the specific meaning of the word "believe" in John 3:16 when it says whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Our God is righteous and holy and bears wrath for a world in rebellion. There is no more important message in John 3:16 than this. The sporting world was shocked when former New England Patriot tight end, Aaron Hernandez was discovered dead, hanging in his prison cell from a bed sheet with the Bible verse “John 3:16” written in red ink on his forehead. Apart from the love of God, the world stands under God’s condemnation. They must fit (cram) every passage into their framework of tulip. The essence of the gospel is love, as we see in John 3:16. 5. In John 7:7, “world” refers to unbelievers. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”. God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross. In John 3:16, the world is loved by God, with a love that gives the Son of God for its sake; in John 17:9, the Son of God refuses to pray for the world. Good News Bible a.k.a. B. Warfield’s Revelation and Inspiration. We must first identify the three characters of John 3:16. The Arminian understanding of John 3:16 requires that "the world" in this passage must mean "every single man, woman and child of every age". The sporting world was shocked when former New England Patriot tight end, Aaron Hernandez was discovered dead, hanging in his prison cell from a bed sheet with the Bible verse “John 3:16” written in red ink on his forehead. Log in, Written by John Tweeddale | What Is the Meaning of John 3:16? And they were. Throughout John’s gospel, Jesus emphasizes the particularity of His grace. Many people that I know say that they believe in Jesus but they are not Christians but they think that they are going to Heaven because they have a head knowledge or at least believe in a Creator God that created all things. The world we know is filled with texture, intrigue, opportunity, and cheer. 9 I pray for them. Drawing from the insights of Warfield, there are four possible answers. Perish means the end of a person. It is not accurate to say that the authors use of “world” (kosmos) is “all inclusive for everyone.” The term itself has various nuances. It is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” What does this famous verse teach about fallen man’s ability to choose Christ? Perhaps John 3:18 helps in our understanding of 16–17? I believe that most people only know this verse in a very superficial way with little appreciation for its context or deeper meaning. —John 15:18 - If there is one thing believers in Jesus should be known for, it is love. WORDS OF JESUS IN RED. Whosoever is the Greek πᾶς, pas and means all, every. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] This is the core of Christianity: that God loved the world enough to come as Jesus, and to die for us, so that anyone who trusts in Him will be saved from sin. The world represents sinful humanity and is not worthy of God’s saving love. The “golden verse,” John 3:16, holds great hope for … John 3:16 says that God loved the world by sending his Son that all who believe would have eternal life. There is no other way that he could be in his perfect nature. But in Christ, believers experience God’s surprising, redeeming, and never-ending love. What does John 3:16 really mean for us? John 3:17, ESV: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." This leads us to the final option. Yet this viewpoint contradicts the Bible’s teaching on God’s judgment as is evidenced by the immediate context in John 3:17–21. The World System - John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 (see also similar usage in Gal 1:4 – Paul) 4. In the first place, many people believe that “world” means all people without exception. Preaching on “God Loves the World” from John 3, Carson pointed out that John used the noun “world” many times in his gospel, although it is rarely used to speak of the largeness of the earth. Many people suppose they already know the simple meaning of John 3:16, and therefore they conclude that no diligent study is required of them to discover the precise teaching of this verse.Needless to say, such an attitude shuts out any further light which they otherwise might obtain on the passage. No matter how wonderful the world may appear, it is not worthy of God’s redeeming love. The word love appears in Scripture more than 500 times. In John 3:16, the world is loved by God, with a love that gives the Son of God for its sake; in John 17:9, the Son of God refuses to pray for the world. The opening phrase is traditionally translated as "God so loved the world that…" and is typically understood to mean, "God loved the world so much that…" INT: sin of the world. “This,” Jesus said, “is how much God loves you. John 3:16, CSB: "For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NASB World – Nearly sixty years of theological reflection on the meaning of the events in the life of Yeshua had passed by the time John wrote his gospel account. After all “God ssssoooo loved the world!” That’s emotionally appealing, but it’s not what John wrote. Don’t Leave Out the Father. The King James Version of Chapter 3, Verse 16 of the New Testament’s Gospel of John, simply referred to as John 3:16 , reads: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”. The main point of the verse is to emphasize the sacrificial love of God for the World. John 1:29 N-GMS GRK: ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου NAS: who takes away the sin of the world! If the word "world" in John 3:16 did include the angels, this would mean that Christ died for the sins of Satan and the demons. Ashes for the ungodly. HankD Well-Known Member. ουτως (houtos), the original Greek word translated “so,” means “in this manner” and is actually the first word in John 3:16, a more literal translation of which would begin, “For in … John 3:16 is probably one of the most concise summaries of the major themes in the Bible, connecting them to produce the big picture. The world represents sinful humanity and is not worthy of God’s saving love. That was how God loved the world – he sent his Son that all who believed would live. The meaning of “the world” in John 3:16 should probably be understood in this sense. The world represents sinful humanity and is not worthy of God’s saving love. The arena of human activity. The point is that God’s people are chosen from an unbelieving world. 3. The New Testament further reveals that God exists in three Persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. #19 JonShaff, Oct 31, 2016. Perhaps that’s why John begins his account with a … John 17:9 . It makes perfect sense for the world in John 3:16 to mean all nations. One of the most... Continue Reading “All that the Father gives me will come to me” (6:37). We KNOW this based on the Greek of the verse in question. How can it mean living on forever? If this premise is false, then so is the claim that John 3:16 teaches that God loves all without exception and that Christ died for all without exception. Apart from the love of God, the world stands under God’s condemnation. Dr. John Piper just completed a two-part series of sermons on John 3:16, and I hope a lot of people will take time to listen to these. John 3:17 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] John 3:17, NIV: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." 7. This post was originally published in Tabletalk magazine. from John Tweeddale I think many shy away from God because they know something is wrong with them and so they react in fear, resentment and even hatred toward any mention of God. You might have seen the verse at a football game, but what does it mean? A Big Group but less than all people everywhere - John 12:19. Throughout John’s gospel, Jesus emphasizes the particularity of His grace. The Non-Elect Only - John 17:9. But in Christ, believers experience God’s surprising, redeeming, and never-ending love. For the Jews, they thought they were God’s people. — John 3:16 And this was not a rash decision; it was all determined from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). . The saints must not come to an understanding of the world of John 3:16 by a quick assumption, but by careful interpretation of … “I am praying for them. The true meaning of John 3:16 - Learn John 3:16… In other words, when John 3:16 says that God loves the world, it means that He loves every person, head for head, equally. WORDS OF JESUS IN RED. And for a calvie, they *don't want* world to mean the whole world in John 3:16. It is the inhabitants of the world. The problem is that for all that is good and interesting and beautiful about the world, it is overrun with sinners. John 3:16 Does Not Conflict With A God That Loves Everyone We explore the real meaning of John 3:16 by unpacking how Divine Love is not exclusive, how action is true belief, and what following Jesus’s example really means. Apart from the love of God, the world stands under God’s condemnation. That some in the perverted church, in consequence of the miracles which the Lord worked, seek conjunction with him, and acknowledge his doctrine to be divine. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross. This especially pertains to wealth and material goods. TCassidy said: ↑ No acrobatics needed. Resources for parents and teachers. So when John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave,” the giving is God sending his Son to earth on a mission to die. If God loves every person, and Christ died for every person, and God’s love is not impotent, and Christ’s death is not ineffectual, then the only conclusion one can draw is that salvation has been secured for every person. Dr. John W. Tweeddale is academic dean and professor of theology at Reformation Bible College. The Next 500 Years: 2017 National Conference, Show Me Your Glory: Understanding the Majestic Splendor of God, La Biblia de Estudio de La Reforma, Spanish Edition, Naming Ligonier the Beneficiary of a Bank or Investment Account, Gifts That Provide Income and Tax Benefits. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." JOHN 3:16 “ For God so loved the world ” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. Perhaps that’s why John begins his account with a deliberate allusion … A Bigger Picture Read More » A Statement of the Facts. John 3:1-2 opens up with a man, Nicodemus, coming to Jesus and posing a question. But in Christ, believers experience God’s surprising, redeeming, and never-ending love. (16) The last verse has spoken of “every one who believeth.” The thought went beyond the limits that Rabbis set to the kingdom of God. God loves people of every nation, but not necessarily every person of every nation. It has also been called the "Gospel in a nutshell", because it is considered a summary of the central theme of traditional Christianity: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. It may appear to some of our readers that the exposition we have given of John 3:16 in the chapter on "Difficulties and Objections" is a forced and unnatural one, inasmuch as our definition of the term "world" seems to be out of harmony with the meaning and scope of this word in other passages, where, to supply the world of believers (God's elect) as a definition of "world" would make no sense. This is the most popular verse in the Bible based on Google searches. We might be tempted to think that there is much about the world for God to love. 8. Apologies to those who already know it, but it appears that many do not. In John 15:19, the term refers to everyone besides believers. To appreciate the big picture, we need to look at some details. But in Christ, believers experience God’s surprising, redeeming, and never-ending love. After all, what’s not to admire about cityscapes and farmlands, fine cuisine and backyard barbecues, classical symphonies and folk ballads, Renaissance paintings and kindergarten squiggles? These sermons are exemplary (in my view) of how Calvinists ought to handle them. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.. “For God so loved the world … ” The epistle of 1 John 3:16 elaborates: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.” For God so loved the world that He gave . 2:5), is established, unequivocally established, by a comparison of the other passages which speak of God's "love." Warfield convincingly states: The world represents sinful humanity and is not worthy of God’s saving love. So let’s look at John 3:16 and the meaning it holds for us. The meaning of world in John 3-16 is all people. And so on. Verse 3:3. It is commonly believed, among many, that the word world in John 3:16, indicates that God loves all men and offers them salvation. John 3:16 is not about the greatness of the world but about the greatness of God. If the word does mean "anybody" and "all," why did the Lord Jesus Christ said in John 17:9 that He is not praying for the world, but for those whom the Father has given Him? Folks often wonder how a Calvinist handles texts like John 3:16 and the other “world” passages in scripture. That "the world" in John 3:16 refers to the world of believers (God's elect), in contradistinction from "the world of the ungodly" (2 Pet. Fix that problem! Jul 31, 2020 John 3:16 is not about the greatness of the world but about the greatness of God. Understanding how undeserving the world is of God’s love is the key to John 3:16. What does it mean? This point was well made many years ago by the esteemed theologian Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield. The logic goes something like this: God loves every person; Christ died for every person; therefore, salvation is possible for every person. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Explanation and Commentary of John 3:16. Deception 1: “For God so loved the world,…” but 1 John 2:15 believers that God wants them NOT to love the world: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/god-so-loved-the-world-part-1 Jesus says, no I’m here for the world. A solid case can be made for believing that “world” refers to the quality of God’s love. I know my own and my own know me….I lay down my life for the sheep” (10:14–18). One of the most surprising twists of John 3:16 is that we are told God loves the world. John 3:16 also reflects another important aspect of the gospel: the essential idea is extremely clear, but there are layers of meaning and knowledge inside of it. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the garden, the world has become a wasteland. JOHN 3:16 “ For God so loved the world ” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. May 15, 2015 by admin. The Verses Before John 3:16. To whom it is taught, that man cannot attain any perception of heavenly good and truth, except by regeneration. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (15:9). John 3:16 follows this rich and theologically dense explanation of sin and salvation. The common reading of John 3:16 insists that God loved “the whole world” – meaning “everyone who has ever lived.” And, He loved them immensely. In most passages, including in 3:16, John uses “world” to speak of the created order that is … Donate Now. Third, a popular nuance of the previous option among Reformed theologians is to argue that “world” in John 3:16 refers to the elect. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours” (17:9). [John 3:16 KJV]I don't see how most Christians define... Stack Exchange Network. It succinctly describes the Gospel message as Jesus told it to Nicodemus in this verse. When Nicodemus heard this, it would have been shocking. Pink. 6. Understand the meaning of John 3:16 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Only then will we appreciate the unexpected gift that God gives. Only then will we appreciate the unexpected gift that God gives. For many Christians, John 3:16 serves as a thesis statement of their faith: God sacrificed his son, Jesus, for the sins of humanity, … Its only limit is humanity. Apart from the love of God, the world stands under God’s condemnation. God refers to the God of Abraham of the Old Testament. God is revealing how He makes sinners the bride of Christ. Before we can look at John 3:16’s meaning we need to understand how we got there. Second, others argue that “world” means all people without distinction. The Ligonier Ministries site requires Javascript, but you’ve got Javascript disabled. For God loved the world in this way: so much that he would give up his Son, The Only One, so that everyone who trusts in him shall not be lost, but he shall have eternal life. This point was well made many years ago by the esteemed theologian Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield. The items listed here are provided courtesy of our friends at the General Church of the New Jerusalem. Third, a popular nuance of the previous option among Reformed theologians is to argue that “world” in John 3:16 refers to the elect. This option emphasizes that God loves more than one type of person or ethnic group. First the verse from John 3: 16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 is the best known verse in the world and like the song, familiarity with the words often mean that its truth can be overlooked: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Understanding how undeserving the world is of God’s love is the key to John 3:16. There are a few things we need to know about this interaction. The word Jesus uses for the world is kosmos. GOD'S WORD® Translation God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Explanation and Commentary of John 3:16. People of all nations as opposed to just the Israelites. The Elect Only - John 3:17. What Is the Meaning of John 3:16? Understanding that “world” does not always mean “world” as many think it does.