John further clarified God"s purpose in sending His Son by explaining what it was not. The thought of the last verse is expanded. Though "condemnation" is to many the issue of Christ's mission (John 3:19), it is not the object His mission which is purely a saving one. See the truth of John 3:18 – our decisions, actions, and behaviors we live by today not only impact and govern who we will be tomorrow but will determine where we will be for eternity. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. (John 17:3, Kingdom Interlinear) In fact, the apostle John says: “He that does not love has not come to know God.”—1 John 4:8. If such a person remains in their unbelief until the end, God will confirm that judgment by casting them into hell forever.[4]. Ver. Faith truly saves, and the only thing that condemns is unbelief. It suffers from being so often repeated apart from its context. His sending by the Father is a theme of the Gospel. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the Light, so that his actions may be seen plainly, that they … This hatred that is the sad and natural consequence of loving the darkness. , to condemn the world.— and , though originally distinct, are in the N.T. {a}. Christology 3, 2, S. 62, 63. Our versions translate, κρίνειν, in general, with the meaning condemn; Meyer himself still defends this meaning. 17. This error our Lord here removes. [8] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, NICNT, page 233-235. Yes, Jesus has been sent by God into this world to die for men and in such an act of redemption we truly behold the wondrous love of God. Mankind rejects the light because we love something else more. We should not only take caution here, let’s pause real quick. John 3:17. John 1:10, John 15:19. 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. 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. The assertion ch. 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. John tells us clearly that mankind is like the bitten Israelites needing rescue and that God sent Jesus into the world as the greater bronze serpent to save people who’ve been poisoned by the venom of sin. What do we love more? to condemn = to judge. Judging was a secondary duty involved in saving, which was Jesus" primary purpose (cf. Nicodemus must hear in such a way as no more to forget that the divine benevolence embraces all humanity. We must, however, recognise a twofold purpose in Christ’s coming. It’s the perfect verse to plaster on a bumper, or brandish on a sign at a football game. ], [Mankind were as unable to provide for themselves a righteousness wherein they might stand before God, as they were to make an atonement for their past offences — — — But, behold, God would not leave us destitute; he gave his Son to fulfil the law which we had broken, and, “to bring in an everlasting righteousness,” “which should be unto all and upon all them that believe” — — — The name given him on this very account is, “The Lord our Righteousness.” Clothed in his unspotted robe, the vilest of returning prodigals may stand perfect and complete in the presence of their God — — — Every one of them may say, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.”], [It was not only to begin, but to carry on and perfect our salvation, that the Father sent his Son into the world. The word world is again repeated, that no man may think himself wholly excluded, if he only keep the road of faith. The meaning amounts to this, that the Gospel is especially, and in the first instance, appointed for believers, that it may be salvation to them; but that afterwards believers will not escape unpunished who, despising the grace of Christ, chose to have him as the Author of death rather than of life. 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. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has … Those who are regardless of their own salvation—, [Alas! 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. Ask someone on the street to quote a Bible verse, any Bible verse, and you may get a blank stare. He wanted to give men eternal life. As in v16, v17 also leads to us witness the great love of God in sending Jesus to do this. It is explained thus: "Jesus did not come to execute a judgment of condemnation on the sinful world." If we’re honest, full exposure is man’s worst fear. [When Jesus Comes Again, he will be the Judge at that time. ( Ref ) Glenn Barker sums up this verse - If we are in a position to see (theōreō) with our own eyes his need, as, for example, the good Samaritan did, and can offer help, then we cannot do otherwise than act. The thrice-repeated κόσμος has a tone of solemnity about it. Thus God’s purpose towards the world is one of love. 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. But in the Arminian interpretation of John 3:16 we observe a god that died for every soul - even Satan's seed (Gen. 3:15 - the non-elect). John 3:17. There is a real place called hell, which is full of real people, who face a continual onslaught of real horror. AMPC But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? The purpose of the Messiah’s mission is not to judge, but to save. John Stott - As life does not dwell in the murderer (1Jn 3:15), so love does not dwell in the miser (1Jn 3:17). The end of his second coming will be to judge the unbelieving part of it. John 17:1-8 John 1:19b: “… men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.” This phrase contains several significant truths about sin. 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. 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. It was not to judge or condemn (Gr. condemnation, the Messiah, according to the Jewish doctrine, was to come (see Bertholdt, Christol. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus. If they really knew you, what you’re into, what you struggle with, what you can’t quit doing, no one would be your friends and no one would even allow you into the church building. We fear being exposed because we believe we’ll be rejected if people really knew who we were. 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. Our word judge, which has itself something of this double meaning, is probably the best rendering in this context. Thankfully, v21 begins with that hopeful word, “But…” which tells us that even though most of mankind can be summarized by the dark realities of v19-20, not everyone fits that description. 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. Nor is this contrary to what he saith, John 9:39, For judgment I am come into this world; for that is ex accidenti, from the corruption of men, shutting their eyes against the light, and hardening their hearts against the offers and tenders of Divine grace. Westcott remarks on this verse: “The sad realities of present experience cannot change the truth thus made known, however little we may be able to understand in what way it will be accomplished”. His message has great power condemn the world through him than they far deeper outward... 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