John 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.”
God loves us all
The verse starts with “For God so loved the world …”, lets take a look a two words in this phrase: Loved and world.
There are many Greek words that are rendered love in English. However, each of them have slightly different meanings. For example, the Greek word ‘Eros’ describes the passionate love in a romantic relationship. The Greek word ‘Storge’ describes the love of a parent for their child, while ‘Philia’ describes the love between friends. The Greek language even has a special word that described God’s love for mankind, ‘Agape.’ This is the word we see in this phrase, “For God so loved (agapaō) the world.” This word is also used in Matthew 5:43-44:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
In this portion we have the Greek word Agapaō rendered love two times. We are encouraged to love our neighbor, and to love our enemies. The way in which this love is then described is doing good things to them. We are even given an example: how God makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the just and the unjust. This sort of love, that does good things to those who deserve it as well as to those who do not deserve it, is unconditional. This unconditional desire to to good to others is the love meant in John 3:16. We can see that God has an unconditional desire to do good things for the world, from the Greek word chosen to describe God’s love. This is important to note because it indicates that God is going to do something good for mankind, the good and the evil as well as the just and the unjust.
The Greek word ‘Kosmos’ is rendered world in English, which is the root of the English word ‘Cosmos.’ In modern English we tend to use the word universe instead of cosmos. The two English words are the same. If we were to take the most literal meaning of this phrase, it would suggest that God has a desire to do good things to the universe. The most literal interpretation is not always the best, as this does not fit the context of the rest of the passage. We can tell that God loves mankind, because of context. This is a figure of speech known as metonymy . A metonymy is a figure of speech where a word is substituted for the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing . In this case, the container ‘cosmos’ is substituted for the contents ‘mankind.’ This is the clear understanding of this phrase, and even children when reading this will understand that God loves everyone.
God did something to prove his love
God did not just love the world from a distance. Often times we say kind things out of respect or not to be rude to each other, but these words do not hold as much weight as action. Doing something kind is more kind than any kind words, and it proves itself. This is a basic concept, and in in our culture we have a saying “actions speak louder than words.” This principle is seen here, God did not just say something kind, he did something kind to prove his kindness.
God did more that just do a random act of kindness. God saw that we were in need of help and did something meaningful to help. God saw that sin had entered the world, and death by sin (Romans 5:12). Because of the plague of sin the world has become tainted, and death passed upon all men. God could have sat idly by, and watch the human race be torn apart by the consequences of sin. God did not do this, even though he was not obligated in any way to intervene. He choose to intervene. He sent his Son to bare the sins of the world in his own body (1 Peter 2:24) and put them away by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 9:26). God found a way to remove sin from the equation, and those who were once plagued by sin could be spared the devastating consequences of sin. Those who believe this are reborn, being born again (John 3:3,7 Ephesians 2:1-3).
We can tell from this verse that God is a God that acts. That he choose to do something meaningful, and he proved his love.
God gave his son
It is clear that God gave his son from the phrase “… that he gave his only begotten Son …” We understand that God the Father gave his Son, but how exactly was Jesus given? God gave his Son who was in heaven above, where he would have been surrounded by good things, to come to Earth which had been corrupted by sin. God’s son would experience all the corruption of the world. God gave his Son to suffer for the sins of others (1 Peter 1:11 1 Peter 5:1). Put on trial, scoffed, and beaten the Son of God endured many sufferings for the sake of those he was determined to save. God gave his Son to die, crucified on the cross of Calvary. All the while Jesus was innocent, and had no sin in him. This is the manner in which God gave his Son.
It has been said if you want to really hurt a man, you don’t kill him. Instead you kill his family. As a father the idea of sacrificing your son is unthinkable. This is why it is such a powerful sacrifice. God did not just accept the sacrifice of a random, nameless perfect man. The man before him was his very own Son. Nothing is more precious to a parent than the life of their child, and in sacrificing his Son he gave up the most valuable thing he possessed. What else could He have given that would have been so effective at declaring his love for us (Romans 5:8)?
At this point let’s highlight the word ‘only.’ God’s only begotten Son. God has only one Son to give. God did not provide an alternative means of help. He provided only one, and that is through Jesus. Some people think that all of the religions of the world lead to God. Like a mountain with many paths to the top, each path goes different directions but end up in the same place. Is this what we read here in John 3:16? This verse clearly teaches that there is only one Son that was given.
All that is required is belief
We see the following phrase “… that whosoever believeth in him ...”
God could have made this unconditional
If this were unconditional we would not see a condition here
If that were so it would say ... That the world ... Instead of ... That whosoever believeth in him ...
There is a condition applied to receiving God's help
All that fulfill this condition satisfy the terms of God's help
Whosoever - No one is excluded from participating in this condition
Upon satisfying the terms the help from God is applied
Condition - Believeth in him
In context the thing we are to believe is that God gave up his son for us
Faith in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ is the condition spoken up here
This speaks of the suffering of Jesus
The speaks of the death of Jesus
The speaks of the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 4:25)
All of which he did for us
Eternal life is offered
The verse ends with “… should not perish, but have everything life.”
Cure to the effects of sin
When this life is given
Have is in the present tense
This does not begin after life, it begins the very moment one believes in Jesus in this way
Not borrowed
Have describes possession
It is yours, you own it.
Duration of ever lasting life
Life that lasts for ever
No end
Spiritual Eternal Life
God brings to life that which was dead
Spiritually alive
Able to experience the full expression of the human experience
Physical eternal life
This life will even overcome physical death
Just as you believe God raised Jesus from the dead, he will also raise you from the dead
Jesus bodily rose from the dead. That is to say he had a physical body.
This is why the resurrection of Jesus is a part of the condition.
We who believe in Jesus in this way, yet die before the return of our Lord, will be given glorified bodies.