In the Word was life, and the life was the light of men. (Comp. Nobody had gone up to heaven: God had taken more than one; but no one had gone there as of right. This is indispensable; for God is a Spirit, and so it cannot but be. Man, dead in sins, was the object of His grace; but then man's state was such, that it would have been derogatory to God had that life been communicated without the cross of Christ: the Son of man lifted up on it was the One in whom God dealt judicially with the evil estate of man, for the, full consequences of which He made Himself responsible. There was sentence of death pronounced on their system, and they felt accordingly. And John told us thatwe receive this gift by grace through faith so that all who believe in Jesus would not perish but have everlasting life. The anger of God for sin. In the five porches, then, of this pool lay a great multitude of sick, blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. It was no longer a moot-point whether God could trust man; for, indeed, He could not. "Believing" in John 3:16 - Apologetics Press Meanwhile there was a manifestation of goodness, active in love in the midst of evil, and toward such; active in the making known God and man, and every moral relation, and what He is toward man, through and in the Word made flesh. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." abideth on himIt was on Him before, and not being removed in the only possible way, by "believing on the Son," it necessarily remaineth on him! If we give it careful thought, we can . If He put forth His power, it was not only beyond man's measure, but unequivocally divine, however also the humblest and most dependent of men. 2) John 3:16 In The Bible. Without sign, prodigy, or miracle, in this village of Samaria Jesus was heard, known, confessed as truly the Saviour of the world ("the Christ" being absent in the best authorities, ver. There is no changing or bettering the old man; and, thanks be to God, the new does not degenerate or pass away. The Bible is an anthology - a compilation of texts of a variety of forms - originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. (Ver. Accordingly, if the law raised the question of righteousness in man, the cross of the Lord Jesus, typifying Him made sin, is the answer; and there has all been settled to the glory of God, the Lord Jesus having suffered all the inevitable consequences. Note.How flatly does this contradict the teaching of many in our day, that there neither was, nor is, anything in God against sinners which needed to be removed by Christ, but only in men against God! His opposition to sin, and its terrible effects in this world and the next. In a certain sense, the principle of John 4:1-54 was made true in the woman of Samaria, and in others who received Christ then. But there was a man who had been infirm for thirty and eight years. Then, resuming the strain of verse John 1:14, we are told, in verseJohn 1:16; John 1:16, that "of his fulness have all we received." Believing in the existence of Jesus does not result in eternal life, for the historical evidence of His existence (in both sacred and secular writings) is irrefutable. Home COMMENTARY What is the meaning of John 3:36? He also knew that Jesus would increase in honour and influence, for of his government and peace there would be no end, while he himself would be less followed. of The verb means to persuade, to cause belief, to induce one to do something by persuading, and so runs into the meaning of to obey, properly as the result of persuasion. Was this false and blasphemous in their eyes? For if the Son (cast out, we may say, in principle from Judaism) visited Samaria, and deigned to talk with one of the most worthless of that worthless race, it could not be a mere rehearsal of what others did. (Ver. It is His person as incarnate first, then in redemption giving His flesh to be eaten and His blood to be drank. His joy was that of a friend of the Bridegroom (to whom, not to him, the bride belonged), and now fulfilled as he heard the Bridegroom's voice. Of course it is the revelation of Christ; but here He was simply revealing the sources of this indispensable new birth. Now, it is no longer a question of nature, but of relationship; and hence it is not said simply the Word, but the Son, and the Son in the highest possible character, the only-begotten Son, distinguishing Him thus from any other who might, in a subordinate sense, be son of God "the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father." John is clear about why he wrote his Gospel (20:31): "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you may have life in His name.". It would not suit God, if it would suit man, that He, seeing all, should just pronounce on man's corruption, and then forthwith let him off with a bare pardon. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 0. what does john 3:36 mean. . He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Nicodemus remonstrates but is spurned; all retire to their home Jesus, who had none, to the mount of Olives. The refusal of His precious blood will, on the contrary, make their case incomparably worse than that of the heathen who never heard the good news. The effect is thus final, even as His person, witness, and glory are divine. Eternal lifeis only received by believing that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and that salvation is a gracious gift of God. But this, however worthy of God, and indispensable for man, could not of itself give an adequate expression of what God is; because in this alone, neither His own love nor the glory of His Son finds due display. Such was Jesus in person, contrasted with all who belong to the earth. Nicodemus was told: "Unless a person is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God." Unless one has a new birth, a spiritual birth, one cannot see God's kingdom. JOHN 3:16 MEANING - Word-by-Word Explanation of John 3:16 But they learn that it was his divine Physician who had not only healed, but so directed him. Many people think that believing in the Son means believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that Jesus' way is the way of everlasting life. Shall never enter heaven.The wrath of God - The anger of God for sin. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. First, we must worship, if at all, in spirit and in truth. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. Thus, in fact, we have the Lord setting aside what was merely Messianic by the grand truths of the incarnation, and, above all, of the atonement, with which man must have vital association: he must eat yea, eat and drink. and the more manifest from His lips to one who was a real impersonation of sin, misery, blindness, degradation. Of course, not all know that this has happened for them (and all humanity) and some who know, have rejected that truth. As the Lamb of God (of the Father it is not said), He has to do with the world. The wrath of God - The anger of God for sin. Here there could not be more, and He would not give less: even "grace upon grace." Such is the miserable condition of the sinner! Here He is not portrayed as the Son of man who must be lifted up, but as the Son of God who was given. Let them learn, then, that as Son of man (for which nature they despised Him, and denied His essential personal glory) He will judge; and this judgment will be no passing visitation, such as God has accomplished by angels or men in times past. The original Greek word, apeithn, means "rejecting belief," "refusing obedience," or "refusing to be convinced.". It is the final setting aside of Judaism then, whose characteristic hope was the display of power and rest in the world. Answer: John 3:16 does not say that unbelievers have the ability of their own sinful free will, to receive Christ. He who owns the reality of Christ's incarnation, receives most thankfully and adoringly from God the truth of redemption; he, on the contrary, who stumbles at redemption, has not really taken in the incarnation according to God's mind. God never left Himself without witness; He did not even among the Gentiles, surely yet less in Israel. It is the necessary aspect of love and holiness toward those who reject love, and wilfully sin. This is confirmed further by John the Baptist's statement in John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not (apeitheo) the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." The word "apeitheo" is understood by all good translators and commentators to mean obedience. It's our responsibility to live John 3:16 to those around us, to shine God's light everywhere we go. Here, then, we have a remarkable display of that which preceded His Galilean ministry, or public manifestation. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; buthe who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.". Thus former things pass away; the old man is judged, dead, and clean gone. The third chapter of John contains two related stories. Observe, it is not (as is often very erroneously said or sung) a question of sins, but of the "sin" of the world. Jesus saw the man, and knowing that he was long thus, prompts the desire of healing, but brings out the despondency of unbelief. Obedience, however, includes faith. It is not only the nature, but the model and fulness of the blessing in the Son, who declared the Father. I pray that I might live for Him. The Spirit of God uses that word; it is thus invariably in conversion. Further, it is connected intimately with the evidence of man's ruin by sin. John 5:19-29), It is evident, then, that the Lord presents life in Himself as the true want of man, who was not merely infirm but dead. And in this He is sovereign. No charge could be remoter from the truth. Both words are used in the phrase wrath of God, which commonly denotes a distinct manifestation of God's judgment (Romans 1:18; Romans 3:5; Romans 9:22; Romans 12:19). God has given Christ the power and authority to bestow everlasting life on all who trust in Him for their salvation and it is granted simply by believing on Him: "For He who believes in the Son has eternal life." Categories . Shine The Light. It is here life begun the first breathings and pantings of the soul for immortality; yet it is life, though at first feeble and faint, which is eternal in its nature, and which shall be matured in the full and perfect bliss of heaven. (Verses John 1:44-51). In Him was life for this scene of death; and it is of faith that it might be by grace. ( ) flesh, and dwelt among us." Though He could not, would not deny Himself (and He was the Son, and Word, and God), yet had He taken the place of a man, of a servant. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath": Translation, Meaning It is not here spoken of as coming upon them, or as passing from them. He that believeth on the Son Who is a proper object of faith and trust; which, if he was not truly and properly God, he would not be: and this is to be understood not of any sort of faith, a temporary, or an historical one; but of that which is the faith of God's elect, the gift of God, and the operation of his Spirit; by which a man sees the Son, goes unto him, ventures and relies . "He that believeth on him is not judged: but he that believeth not is judged already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Her life is laid before her by His voice, and she confesses to Him that God Himself spoke to her in His words: "Sir [said she], I perceive that thou art a prophet." Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. He that believeth he that obeyeth not Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible. Nothing less than everlasting life in Christ can deliver: otherwise there remains judgment. Matthew Poole's Commentary He that, hearing the proposition of the gospel, so agreeth to it, as with his heart he receiveth him as his Saviour, and trusteth and hopeth in him, hath everlasting life; that is, a certain and just title to it, nay, in the first fruits; being actually delivered from condemnation, Romans 8:1, to which, without faith, he is exposed: he already liveth a spiritual life, Galatians 2:20; and having Christ in him, hath the hope of glory, into the possession of which he shall most certainly come. The looking for signs and wonders is rebuked; but mortality is arrested. God wants people to be saved . They had eyes, but they saw not; ears had they, but they heard not, nor did they understand His glory. Her testimony bore the impress of what had penetrated her soul, and would make way for all the rest in due time. (b) Midrash Ruth, fol. he would not. Jesus, therefore, answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. It seemed natural: He had fed the poor with bread, and why should not He take His place on the throne? All others prove not only that they are bad, but that they hate perfect goodness, and more than that, life and light the true light in the Word. Observe: not which was, but "which is." They were not to wonder then at what He says and does now; for an hour was coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those that have done good to resurrection of life, and those that have done evil to resurrection of judgment. "John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake: He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me." Beholding Him as He walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God! What does the number 36 mean biblically? - KnowledgeBurrow.com No mere man, nor angel, not the highest, the archangel, but the Son. Jesus Christ really is the One who "came from above . But the Spirit would not confine His operations to such bounds, but go out freely like the wind. Yet, this obe- dience salvation formula is identically repeated in John 3:16. Thus it is a kind of transitional fact for a most important part of our gospel, though still introductory. All is in the character of the Son of man. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." It is not denunciation, but the most solemn sentence in the calmest manner. In John 6:1-71 our Lord sets aside Israel in another point of view. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. The law works no deliverance; it puts a man in chains, prison, darkness, and under condemnation; it renders him a patient, or a criminal incompetent to avail himself of the displays of God's goodness. VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. John 1:35-40) Our Lord acts as One fully conscious of His glory, as indeed He ever was. Once we step into the light God gives us a new life. But the chilling words that follow warn usthat whoever chooses to reject the clear teaching of the gospel of grace, will experience shocking and eternal consequences: "For he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.". His life "is hid with Christ in God." Judgment is the alternative for man: for God it is the resource to make good the glory of the Son, and in that nature, in and for which man blind to his own highest dignity dares to despise Him. We have seen already that thus light was shed on men. This is the more striking, because, as we have seen, the world and Israel, rejecting Him, are also themselves, as such, rejected from the first. Man might pull Him down destroy Him, as far as man could, and surely to be the basis in God's hand of better blessing; but He was God, and in three days He would raise up this temple. John 7:24) They reason and are in utter uncertainty. He could be declared only by One who was a divine person in the intimacy of the Godhead, yea, was the only-begotten Son in the bosom of the Father. The man went off, and told the Jews that it was Jesus: and for this they persecuted Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath. Just as in John 4:1-54, so here it is a question of power in the Holy Ghost, and not simply of Christ's person. (VersesJohn 6:1-21; John 6:1-21). What does the 3 mean in math - We will be discussing about What does the 3 mean in math in this blog post. Had it been meant, it was no wonder that Nicodemus did not know how these things could be. There is no more powerful way to deliver this message than to let John 3:16 speak for itself. Observe, that blessed as the light is, being God's moral nature, truth is more than this, and is introduced by grace. Footnotes. No man hath seen God at any time. Rather, he refers to the fame and influence of Christ. (36) Here too we have, in the words of John, thoughts which we have found already (John 3:15-16), and shall find again (), in the words of Christ Himself.He that believeth not the Son.--Better, he that obeyeth not the Son. and the two disciples leave John for Jesus. To Believe means to Obey John 3:16 | Exodus 2 The Kingdom
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