John 3:16—“For God So Loved the World”

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV).

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Prof. Herman Hanko

[Source: Protestant Reformed Theological Journal, vol. 27, no. 2 (April 1994), p. 22]

“God loves His world. He has formed it; and, although man brought the curse upon it, the world remains God's world. He will not forsake it. This is partly the meaning of that well-known text, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It is true that the reference in this text to "world" is primarily a reference to the world of elect men. This is evident from the fact that the last part of the verse, in defining "world," speaks of those who believe in Christ. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the term "world" is used here because it is the organism, the kosmos, of the entire creation with the elect under Christ as the new humanity which God loves.”

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(II)

More to come! (DV)