An exposition of John 3:16

 

John 3:16 is the foundation of Christian faith. It is like the summary of the gospel and the summary of the Christian's belief system. I would like to take this opportunity to dissect this verse and elaborate on the built-in assertions that this verse offers in explaining the Christian creed.

1. For God - means that one accepts without debate the existence of God.
2. So loved - means that one sees God as not just creating the universe and earth, then abandoning his creation to run their own lives and affairs. We are not an experiment that the Creator got bored with and disinterested in. On the contrary, these words assert that God is passionately interested in his creation, about the things that take place on earth and passionately desires to be involved in human affairs and be with us. This asserts that God is not a distant or far away deity, uninterested in us and our activities, but rather, God is interested in a personal and intimate relationship with his created beings and creatures. He is so interested in relationship that he does things to demonstrate his interest.
3. The world - means that God is not a tribal deity, a national deity or a racial deity, but that he is multi-ethnic and a global deity, who is interested in every nation on the planet, including those that are not recognised by international treaties as nations.
4. That he gave - means that God is a wealthy philanthropist and a giver of gifts (the Holy Spirit's existence is implied here). He has hands always willing to be outstretched to help in a situation and intervene for those who need help.
5. His only begotten Son - is one of the most controversial point of division within Christendom and also among the other monotheistic religions. Nevertheless, these words assert that God is a relational being and also demonstrates the type of relationship he wants to have with us created beings. This relational God, designates one being, to be his son, through whom all must relate to in order to be formally introduced to or accepted by God (Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:2).
6. That whosoever - means invitation for any person, regardless of trbe, race, class, status, disability or nationality. In other words, all are invited, and none are excluded.
7. Believeth in him - is the necessary condition, prerequisite or qualification. For without faith it is impossible to impress God (Hebrews 11:6).
8. Should not perish - means that there will be destruction and non-existence of those who have not met the requirements in point 7.
9. But have - means that one can possess and actually own something, and not just borrow, lease or rent it. (This is true wealth, not that which you own only for your life span, but then die and have it passed on to heirs or the state.)
10. Everlasting life - means existence beyond time, with no end in sight.

 It is interesting how this analysis also mirrors the 10 commandments, which I will comment on in another blog entry.

God bless you.