Both have been well expressed by Paul, when he boasts of, having vengeance at hand, by which he will punish all the adversaries of his doctrine after that the obedience of the godly shall have been fulfilled, Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out / Like a sick person who slips into greater and greater sickness by believing themselves to be well and refusing treatment, we become more and more blind and cold to the blazing light of Christ by believing ourselves to be well and refusing the treatment of Christ, the Great Physician.[7]. But to be its Savior. Change ), “This next year will be one moment after another of God working things out for your ultimate good.” (Sam Allberry), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Easter Sermon – John 3:16 – The Passage Everyone Knows, John 3:22-30 – Decrease, the Character of the Kingdom, https://sonrisecity.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sonrise-20170423.mp3, Romans 5:1-2 – The Blessings of Justification (Pt. John 17:5 is often used to prove the preincarnate existence of Jesus as the second person of the trinity. John 3:6 Or but spirit; John 3:7 The Greek is plural. That v17 has happened in a v19-20 world, is staggeringly gracious of God is it not?! Yet we must add, II. “To do the truth” is at any rate to live up to what one knows; to live an honest, conscientious life. John 3:16–21 begins with the most easily recognized portion of any holy book on Earth: John 3:16. John 3:17. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] John next offers a direct application to show God's love abides in the believer, in the form of a question. Condemned already. To judge, is by judgment to cast away into deserved destruction. The object is not to oppose the Jewish opinion, which regarded Christ by way of preference as the Judge of the Gentile world; for everything in this discourse has a personal reference, and is intended to win the heart of Nicodemus. Because of this all people are now in one of two categories: those who believe and are already saved, and those who do not believe and are already condemned. Monica on John 3:17 We are condemners of our ownselves.once the forbidden fruit was eaten we became conscious and ashamed. Not to condemn the world] Unless it be by accident, because they will not be saved; they will not have heaven upon Christ’s terms, they will not part with their fat and sweet (with the vine in Jotham’s parable, 9:13), no, not for a kingdom; they will not be constrained to live happily, reign eternally. To elucidate the words before us, we shall shew, I. He is to be both “the author and the finisher of our faith” — — — Having delivered our souls from the guilt of sin, and from the powers of darkness, he will raise up our bodies also from the grave, and exalt us to sit upon his throne for evermore — — — Never will he cease from his work, till he has fully and finally accomplished it on behalf of his people — — — How wonderful is this! The beginning of v18 is a restatement of v17, “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned…” while the rest of the verse shows us an alarming reality, “…but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” As with v17, what we learn in v18 is clear as well. (17) To condemn the world gives to the English reader a stronger impression than that of the original Greek. Eternity will not suffice to explore and celebrate this stupendous mystery. The purpose of the Messiahâs mission is not to judge, but to save. That’s my answer. For: the purpose of the mission of the Son, as it is indicated in this verse, proves that this mission is indeed a work of love (John 3:16). Simply put, v19-20 describe those who are not born again while v21 describes the one who is, and the difference between the two is made clear in their life. [8] In v21 he is speaking of one who is true in contrast to those who are false and phony in v19-20. Salvation Not Condemnation (3:17) Remember the context here. Jesus does. God is who He is, God is who He has revealed Himself to be – the opinion of man doesn’t change who He is. John 5:22; John 5:27), but the κρῖμα which was to accompany His works upon earth is different from this (see on John 9:39). Mankind rejects the light because we love something else more. But ask them to name a Bible verse and you are in business: John 3:16. We ought not, therefore, to look at any thing else in Christ, than that God, out of his boundless goodness chose to extend his aid for saving us who were lost; and whenever our sins press us â whenever Satan would drive us to despair â we ought to hold out this shield, that God is unwilling that we should be overwhelmed with everlasting destruction, because he has appointed his Son to be the salvation of the world, When Christ says, in other passages, that he is come to judgment, (John 9:39;) when he is called a stone of offense, (1 Peter 2:7;) when he is said to be set for the destruction of many, (Luke 2:34 :) this may be regarded as accidental, or as arising from a different cause; for they who reject the grace offered in him deserve to find him the Judge and Avenger of contempt so unworthy and base. sometimes identical in meaning, the result of judgment so … This passage is calling you to do good works, and it doesn’t do so by saying “Do this, do that!” or “Try harder, do better!” No, it calls you like this, “Remember who you are. Now, he repeats three times (4:17, 18 [twice]) the concept of perfect love. John 3:16 is probably the most loved verse in the Bible, and we hear it frequently. There is now no reason why any man should be in a state of hesitation, or of distressing anxiety, as to the manner in which he may escape death, when we believe that it was the purpose of God that Christ should deliver us from it. While this opinion of mankind is very common outside the Church among unbelieving circles, it never ceases to amaze me that this opinion is easily found inside the Church as well because of how clear the Bible speaks to this. Problem: According to this verse, God did not “send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” He added later, “I judge no one” (John 8:15; cf. And would the Father give him? John 3:17. That, supposing God to send his Son into the world, it was far more probable that he should send him to condemn the world than to save it—, That God should ever send his Son into the world at all is such a mystery as must for ever fill the whole universe with amazement. If we are prone to be the kind of person who goes along the tide of our time, this verse will likely cause us to shrink back in disgust because divine judgment, condemnation, and hell have no place in our modern belief systems. See Revelation 1:5-6. Man prefers, desires, fancies, and longs and yearns for darkness. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. If given an option, apart from the saving and transforming grace of God lost man will, 10 out of 10 times, choose darkness over light, wickedness over righteousness, disobedience over obedience… ultimately this is a choice of Satan over Jesus Christ. [7] Johannes Brenz, John, Reformation Commentary, page 107. See Acts 17:31; Matthew 25:31-46.]. John further clarified God"s purpose in sending His Son by explaining what it was not. It is not denied that the judgment is a consequence, but that it is the object of the mission of Christ. Darkness. This reveals the main point being spoken of. But why should not Jesus have said καÏακÏίνειν, to condemn, if He had this thought? Reuss concludes from this saying that "the idea of a future and universal judgment is repudiated" in our Gospel. The authorised expositions of many texts of the Old Testament asserted this, and Nicodemus must ofttimes have heard it and taught it. We must, however, recognise a twofold purpose in Christ’s coming. So when we see the person in v21 who is true and does what is true by coming to the light rather than loving the darkness and hating the light – we can conclude that the reason this person is true, the reason this person does what is true, and the reason this person walks into the light with no fear of exposure is because God has awoken their hearts by the power of the Spirit through the gospel of His Son. App-122. , to condemn the world.— and , though originally distinct, are in the N.T. Godâs love for, and gift to, the world has just been declared. John repeats his favourite word three times in this verse that there may be no possibility of missing his point, that so far as God’s purpose was concerned, it was one of unmixed love, that all men might be saved. It cannot be the object; for if God had purposed only to judge, He could have done it without giving up His Son, and the latter would not have appeared in the form of a servant. Those who are regardless of their own salvation—, [Alas! Nicodemus must hear in such a way as no more to forget that the divine benevolence embraces all humanity. The repetition is notable, and so is the expansion. I may possibly send my Son; but, if I do, it shall not be to save the world, but to condemn them according to their desert.’]. Considering this exact correspondence, it is very arbitrary with modern critics (even Lücke, B. Crusius) to understand the second τὸν κόσμον differently from the first, and from the τ. κόσμον of John 3:16, as denoting in the narrow Jewish sense the Gentile world, for whose judgment, i.e. The thought of the last verse is expanded. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ], 2. We should not only take caution here, let’s pause real quick. According to the apostle John, we are darkness loving, light hating people who fear being known for who and what we really are. As you can see, while John 3:16 speaks of the grace and mercy of God in giving Jesus to save those who believe, John 3:17-21 speaks of the judgment of Jesus. We have and maintain various social media profiles where we present ourselves to the world, not as we truly appear, but as we want to appear before the world. In 4:13-16, John elaborates on the first part of that statement, repeating the concept of God’s abiding in us and we in Him three times. ( Log Out / ], 3. Some people are summarized by the bright realities of the gospel. It’s as if our hearts become nocturnal creatures unable to survive in the light but able to thrive in darkness. ( Log Out / He wanted to save them from ‘perishing’. 18, 19, John 9:39. The word ( κÏίνÏ, krino, the Latin c(k)erno, and the English dis-cern) means originally to separate, and in the moral sense to separate good from evil. 2. Ver. To this class belonged a Nathanael, and the disciples generally, certainly also many who … vers. BELIEVERS ARE NO LONGER UNDER CONDEMNATION! Responding to the Light (John 3:19-21) Those Who Hide from It. The frequency with which we hear of this stupendous mystery, prevents the surprise which the declaration of it must otherwise excite. If you asked someone about the state of man in the 21st century, what do you think they would say? It has also been called the "Gospel in a nutshell", because it is considered a summary of the central theme of traditional Christianity: John 17:3 Here, Christ does not use the term "immortal" or "endless," to define eternal life, but He describes a kind and quality of life in terms of knowledge and a relationship with the Father and Son, a very intimate relationship. “Deus saepe ultor describitur in veteri pagina; itaque conscii peccatorum merito expectare poterant, nlium venire ad poenas patris nomine exigendas,” Grotius. Here in v18 the word ‘believe’ is repeated three times. But on this very account, because God sent His Son to be a Saviour, the judgment must be passed on those who despise so great a benefit, and thus fill up the measure of their sin. Part of the current belief about the Messiahâs advent was, that he would destroy the Gentile world. These works are proof to the watching world that you are no longer living in darkness, but have come to the light of life. etc. [4] F.F. For God sent not his Son into the world God did send his Son into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh, being made of a woman, and made under the law; and which is an instance of his great love, and not of any disrespect to his Son, or of any inequality between them: but then this was not to condemn the world; John 17:21. that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. having vengeance at hand, by which he will punish all the adversaries of his doctrine after that the obedience of the godly shall have been fulfilled, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, John Lightfoot's Commentary on the Gospels, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Frédéric Louis Godet - Commentary on Selected Books, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms. John 3:8 The Greek for Spirit is the same as that for wind. John 3:17. Jesus speaks in simple terms, but His message has great power. Now, let’s turn to v19-20 to see the dark realities that lead people to reject Jesus. It is dying to our own self-interest and letting the beauty and love of the Lord Jesus be seen in us – … John 3:17. ἵνα κρίνῃ, that He may judge [“to condemn,” Engl. John 3:13 Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven; John 3:14 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted. In v19-20 John gives his answer to the state of man, not just for his own time, but for all time. But the future judgment is clearly taught in John 3:27-28. (2 Corinthians 10:6). It might on similar grounds be argued that because God wills that all men be holy in this life, all men are holy. First, in John’s own words, man rejects the light that has come into the world for a reason, and that reason is, at its core, an issue of love. "For God sent not his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.". John 3:16 … Continue reading "Commentary on John 3:14-21" But, whatever the ignorance of scoffers, and the pride of infidels may suggest, be it known to all, that God did send his Son, [God knew that it was impossible for man to atone for sin — — — Yet it was also impossible that sin could be forgiven, unless an adequate atonement were offered to the Divine Majesty — — — What was to be done? John 3:21. ὁ δὲ ποιῶν … “On the other hand, he who does the truth” … This is one of John’s comprehensive phrases which perhaps lose by definition. 12:47).However, in other places Jesus claimed “authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man” (John 5:27). He came not to destroy; and therefore it follows, that it is the peculiar office of the Son of God, that all who believe may obtain salvation by him. How so? It’s as if Jesus is a fork in the road. sometimes identical in meaning, the result of judgment so commonly being Condemnation; cf. JOHN 3:19-21 19 “And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light because their actions were evil. Ask someone on the street to quote a Bible verse, any Bible verse, and you may get a blank stare. The Jews were mistaken in their proud conceit, that Christ came to judge and destroy all those that were not of their nation; thus, John 7:47, he saith, he came not to judge, but to save the world. A statement of vast importance. However, like all other scripture, the verse must be interpreted by the immediate context surrounding it. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus. Upon approaching Him and facing Him every person in the world either turns toward God or turns away from God. In v20 he unfolds this a bit more saying, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” You see, in the light there’s something you can’t do at all with any measure of success, but in the darkness that very same thing is quick, constant, and simple – hiding. This true individual shows his true nature, or truthful nature, by the works he does in his life. [2] Johannes Brenz, John, Reformation Commentary, page 106. What He means to say is, that His coming into the world has for its purpose, not an act of judgment, but a work of salvation. The Greek word translated “perfect” does not mean, as in English, to be without any flaws or shortcomings. We know this is true, one of the most common nightmares people have is being naked in a public place. condemnation, the Messiah, according to the Jewish doctrine, was to come (see Bertholdt, Christol. John 5:27)? The Bible uses the expression “born again” only a few times. It is said that we can believe in anything we want to and act in any way we so desire so long as those beliefs do not make anyone else uncomfortable. Judging was a secondary duty involved in saving, which was Jesus" primary purpose (cf. He wanted to give men eternal life. Rather, it is part … Continue reading "Commentary on John 3:1-21" [3] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, NICNT, page 233. What does he mean? On Easter Sunday last week we looked at John 3:16, a passage that everyone knows. Jesus has already given a detailed explanation of the nature of the new birth, drawn a metaphorical parallel in earthly wind, even illustrated what it looks like to be born again using the incident in Numbers 21 with the fiery snakes and the bronze serpent. The very devils will have more to say on their own behalf than they. The world was already condemned because of sin, and doomed. O deepest love and kindness!" 11 So to know Jehovah God would be to attain to an understanding friendship with him. Our Lord took frequent occasions to rectify this mistake, and to shew, that he was to be the Saviour, not of one people only, but of the whole world. Which is a really an incorrect distinction, for all true Christians have been “born again” But what does it mean to be “born again”? So when Sunday morning or evening come around we shape up, try to look like our social media version of ourselves, and walk into church pretending everything is ok with other people who are doing the exact same thing. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’... Read verse in New International Version [8] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, NICNT, page 233-235. That the Glory of God would be the glory of this City. The word, world, is repeated three times with emphasis. The reason why John records Nicodemus’s conversation with Jesus, is that in spite of his achievements, in spite of his prominence in Jesus came into an already condemned world to save some. Yet the purpose of the atonement was not to condemn but to save. 17 “For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge (Greek: krine) the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” I get that sharing the gospel is hard, but in view of v18 aren’t you willing to endure some hard stuff in your life to get the gospel out there? John 3:16-21 The Word of God . The emphasis was probably due to the ordinary Messianic expectation which limited and misrepresented the love of God. John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. Perhaps this is why these verses are largely unknown to many, and perhaps it reveals an error in us – that we’re very eager and willing to accept the grace and mercy of God but very unwilling to accept the wrath and justice of God. Context Summary. krino) humankind. The thrice-repeated κόσμος has a tone of solemnity about it. Judgment upon the finally unbelieving was reserved to Him upon His Second Advent (comp. John 3:17. 17.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world. Once we’re saved by faith and the Christian life begins, that faith begins going public through good works. [1] R.C. Jesus came to make it possible for us to escape from this, and to return to God. The Jewish idea was that the Messiah would come “to judge,” i.e., to condemn the world.— and , though originally distinct, are in the N.T. Works that aren’t the root of salvation, but works that are the fruit of salvation. the power of God for salvation to every one who believeth. In whatever our heart condemns us - Converse stated in 1Jn 3:21 "if your heart does not condemn us." However, although the purposeof His coming is to save, not to judge, a judgment, but an altogether different one from that of which the Jews were thinking, was about to be effected because of that coming: a judgment of a moral nature, in which it is not Jesus who will pronounce the sentence, but every man will himself decide his own salvation or perdition. It is to make him feel that here there is no new law presented before him, but a gospel, a free message. John 3:18; John 5:24). The word judge ( πρίνω) is here put for condemn, as in many other passages. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has … The old hymn says it well, “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness in the sea. Confirmation of John 3:16, in which ἀπέστειλεν answers to the ἔδωκεν, κρίνῃ to the ἀπόληται, and σωθῇ to the ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον of John 3:16. Dark Reality #2: We Hate the Light. v21, “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John is not teaching salvation by works or by nature. God: 1Jn 4:4 Job 33:12 John 10:29,30 Heb 6:13; and: Ps 44:20,21 90:8 139:1-4 Jer 17:10 Jer 23:24 John 2:24,25 John 21:17 Heb 4:13 Rev 2:23; 1 John 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries. Greek is plural teach that Jesus will judge the world to save the world— St. Andrews Expositional Commentary, 91... From ‘ perishing ’ which caused us to condemn, but his message has great power meaning ;. Guilt will it be to judge, which was Jesus '' primary purpose (.... Miracles Jesus performs, knowing he has never performed even one miracle we lived in the sea our! Rejects the light, and even changes it into a judgment by unbelief! 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