John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believe on him is not condemned: but he that believe not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Greek word for world is kosmos which means the social system. ‘Only-begotten of the Father’ Jesus is and was and always will be the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14, 18; 3:18; 1Jn. 4:9). ‘Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish:’ there is no exception – all can be saved 1Titus 2:3-4 says: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Everlasting means aionios in Greek and translates as an unknown time, time out of mind and eternity. The life itself is eternal. Man’s possession of it does not change its nature or existence. It is eternal whether man ever gets it or not. It is still eternal whether man loses it or not. It is like an eternal diamond or anything else eternal. Eternal life is only in Jesus. All who are in Him have this eternal life and all out of Him do not have it.
Condemn – the Greek word krino – means to judge. The next time the Son is sent to the world it will be to judge (Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46) at His second coming.
The ‘name of the only begotten Son of God:’ His name means Saviour and anyone who does not believe it and take Him as such, cannot be saved.
Living the Word 