Joh 3:16 | RWP | e4.org | For so ( ουτως γαρ ). This use of γαρ is quite in John's style in introducing his comments ( ; ; , etc.). This "Little Gospel" as it is often called, this "comfortable word" (the Anglican Liturgy), while not a quotation from Jesus is a just and marvellous interpretation of the mission and message of our Lord. In verses John recapitulates in summary fashion the teaching of Jesus to Nicodemus. Loved ( ηγαπησεν ). First aorist active indicative of αγαπαω , the noble word so common in the Gospels for the highest form of love, used here as often in John ( ; ; ; ) of God's love for man (cf. ; ; ). In John presents a distinction between αγαπαω and φιλεω . Αγαπαω is used also for love of men for men ( ), for Jesus ( ), for God ( ). The world ( τον κοσμον ). The whole cosmos of men, including Gentiles, the whole human race. This universal aspect of God's love appears also in ; . That he gave ( ωστε εδωκεν ). The usual classical construction with ωστε and the indicative (first aorist active) practical result, the only example in the N.T. save that in . Elsewhere ωστε with the infinitive occurs for actual result ( ) as well as purpose ( ), though even this is rare. His only begotten Son ( τον υιον τον μονογενη ). "The Son the only begotten." For this word see on , ; . The rest of the sentence, the purpose clause with ινα-εχη precisely reproduces the close of save that εις αυτον takes the place of εν αυτω (see ) and goes certainly with πιστευων (not with εχη as εν αυτω in verse ) and the added clause "should not perish but" ( μη απολητα αλλα , second aorist middle subjunctive, intransitive, of απολλυμ , to destroy). The same contrast between "perish" and "eternal life" (for this world and the next) appears also in . On "perish" see also .

‏ John 3:16

For so ( ουτως γαρ ). This use of γαρ is quite in John's style in introducing his comments (2:25; 4:8; 5:13, etc.). This "Little Gospel" as it is often called, this "comfortable word" (the Anglican Liturgy), while not a quotation from Jesus is a just and marvellous interpretation of the mission and message of our Lord. In verses 16-21 John recapitulates in summary fashion the teaching of Jesus to Nicodemus.

Loved ( ηγαπησεν ). First aorist active indicative of αγαπαω, the noble word so common in the Gospels for the highest form of love, used here as often in John (14:23; 17:23; 1Jo 3:1; 4:10) of God's love for man (cf. 2Th 2:16; Ro 5:8; Eph 2:4). In 21:15 John presents a distinction between αγαπαω and φιλεω. Αγαπαω is used also for love of men for men (13:34), for Jesus (8:42), for God (1Jo 4:10).

The world ( τον κοσμον ). The whole cosmos of men, including Gentiles, the whole human race. This universal aspect of God's love appears also in 2Co 5:19; Ro 5:8.

That he gave ( ωστε εδωκεν ). The usual classical construction with ωστε and the indicative (first aorist active) practical result, the only example in the N.T. save that in Ga 2:13. Elsewhere ωστε with the infinitive occurs for actual result (Mt 13:32) as well as purpose (Mt 10:1), though even this is rare.

His only begotten Son ( τον υιον τον μονογενη ). "The Son the only begotten." For this word see on 1:14, 18; 3:18. The rest of the sentence, the purpose clause with ινα-εχη precisely reproduces the close of 3:15 save that εις αυτον takes the place of εν αυτω (see 1:12) and goes certainly with πιστευων (not with εχη as εν αυτω in verse 15) and the added clause "should not perish but" ( μη απολητα αλλα, second aorist middle subjunctive, intransitive, of απολλυμ, to destroy). The same contrast between "perish" and "eternal life" (for this world and the next) appears also in 10:28. On "perish" see also 17:12.