Frist the verses:
John 3:16-18 (KJV) -
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
I love the first two words.
“FOR GOD”
Let’s look at the verses again and see how many times the Father God is referred to.
John 3:16-18 (KJV) -
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Now let’s share these verses once again and see when the Son is mentioned.
John 3:16-18 (KJV) -
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
There are some interesting things to point out in this verse.
In verse 16 we have the occurrence of the word “him” which could be directed at the Father God or the Son.
John 3:16 (KJV) - 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.
But that is not of the most interest to me.
Also…
In verse 18 “He” is mentioned 3 times though not referring either to the Son or the Father.
John 3:18 (KJV) - He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Many think that they will make or miss eternity based on the judgment passed upon them. As this above verse clearly shows, such is not the case.
Guy Siverson's answer to In the Bible, what did Jesus mean in John 9:39- who is Jesus "judging"?
Above we have what is called propositional logic.
It is either A or B but never both.
A: “He that believeth on him is not condemned”
B: “he that believeth not is condemned already”
What makes the difference?
We will look at that in just a moment.
First, I believe this verse is important to share.
James 2:19 (KJV) - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Simply saying, I believe, is not enough.
Belief must become an active part of one's life to truly make a difference.
Guy Siverson's answer to Don’t Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:19 contradict each other?
So what makes the difference?
Let’s finish the verse to see.
“because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Names are extremely important.
I like what this website shared on this matter.
6 Reasons Why Names are Important in the Bible
- A biblical name could record some aspects of a person’s birth.
- Biblical names sometimes expressed the parents’ reaction to the birth of their child.
- Biblical names were sometimes used to secure the solidarity of family ties.
- Biblical names could be used to communicate God’s message.
- Biblical names were also used to establish an affiliation with God.
- Biblical names are given to establish authority over another, or to indicate a new beginning or new direction in a person’s life.
And here is a beautiful verse:
Revelation 2:17 (KJV) - He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
And this:
Isaiah 56:5 (KJV) - Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
There is another important thing about this verse.
It is my favorite punctuation within the Bible.
:
I call it a period with a point.
What comes before is the main thrust of the sentence.
What comes after is the details that backup what was said in the main thrust.
Here is how this looks.
First the focus of the sentence.
John 3:18A (KJV) - He that believeth on him is not condemned:
And then the backup for that focus.
John 3:18B (KJV) - but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
What condemns the one that believes not?
The Father God?
That cannot be for Scripture is clear:
John 3:17 (KJV) - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
No, no condemnation desired here.
Well then, perhaps it was the Son that brings the judgment.
If that is not crystal clear within these verses then I will put forth this verse.
Here is the response of Jesus to the prostitute.
John 8:11 (KJV) - She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Then shortly afterward we read this in response to the Pharisee's.
John 8:14-15 (KJV) - Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
Thus we can correctly conclude in Romans.
Romans 8:1 (KJV) - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
So if neither the Father God nor His Son condemns then who is passing the condemnation in this verse?
Ezekiel 28:18 (KJV) - Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
If a fire comes from within and brings one to ashes then who is it that truly does the devouring here?
John 3:18 (KJV) - He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Can it be made any more clear?
Matthew 12:37 (KJV) - For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
This is because the mouth speaks what is in the heart of a man.
Luke 6:45 (KJV) - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
While this is all very interesting it is still not what I find of most intrigue in these verses. There is a concept repeated twice that we seem to gloss over in pursuit of the other concepts brought forward.
John 3:16-18 (KJV) -
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Only-begotten?
Is this referring to the virgin birth of Jesus?
No.
That would read something like “only birthed” but not begotten.
Let’s open the dialog here.
When this verse says “only begotten” what do these words mean to you?
Comment below.
Footnotes