John 3:16 is a very familiar verse and many can recite it easily. Many Christians have memorized it since their childhood days. And yes, this Bible verse is really very encouraging and very reassuring. It says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV John 3:16). God’s love is for all. God loves the whole world.

John 3:16 in Plain English

For any ordinary reader who will read John 3:16 in plain English, it would seem simple and easy to understand — God’s love is truly for the whole world. But it’s sad to note that some Christians understand this verse differently. For them the word, “world” (Greek, cosmos) in this passage does not refer to the whole world in general but only to a selected few! This same Greek word, cosmos can also be found three times in the next verse, (verse 17) and once in verse 19.

By just reading in context the verses through and through, you wouldn’t be able to come up with the idea that Jesus loved only a selected few. This view is something imported and foreign to the text and is clearly out of context. To force it to mean that God loves only a few is totally opposite of what is truly intended. Some call this type of interpretation as eisegesis. This is forcing the Scripture to mean what it doesn’t intend to really mean.

John Calvin and John 3:16

The famous theologian, John Calvin himself in his very own commentaries — which can easily be verified on the internet — clearly pointed out without any hesitation that the word, “world” truly refers without any doubt to all and not to some. He also took the time to explain the word, “whoever” to mean anyone and everyone not just some lucky elected folks. Now, I don’t know all of John Calvin’s thoughts but his Bible commentary is a fact that can be found on the internet.

Regardless of what John Calvin had to say but John 3:16 says, “whoever” and the context is clear. It means the whole human race and not just a limited few!

Immediate Context: Before and After

The context of the immediate verses (before verse 16) in verses 14 and 15 about Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness is also important to understand. In Numbers 21:8-9 we learn that anyone who looked upon the brass serpent high up on a pole got healed of poisoning from snake bite. Yes, it was absolutely for everyone! This also reminds me of what Jesus said that when he is “lifted up,” he will draw all men to himself (John 12:32)!

And again, the immediate verses (after verse 16) in verses 17 through 19 would show that the whole world is what is meant and not just a few.

Larger Context: Who is Jesus Christ?

And of course if we check the larger context, what do we find? The same author of the book, the apostle John in his epistle says the same thing in 1 John 2:2.  It says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (Greek, cosmos).”

God truly loves the whole world. Not just some.

Back in 1985, one of my teachers told us, “Don’t kid yourselves, everybody’s prejudiced. No one is exempted.” I remember him telling us that somehow we are all biased and we all have our own presumptions or presuppositions about the way things are.

That is our worldview — that is the way we look at everything. This is somehow influenced by our background, our education, our environment, our upbringing, etc. Whatever the topic or issue may be at hand, we judge or we label people, things and situations based on our own bias. And sometimes we can judge others harshly. We do make this mistake once in a while — or maybe often — of being too harsh in criticizing people, their culture or maybe their beliefs.

Somehow, we always tend to think of ourselves more highly than others. We have the tendency to think that we are somehow fair and just but I have learned over the years that it’s a good idea to think twice because maybe I could be wrong after all.

Worldviews Can Change

Over time, if we have open minds, our worldviews can change when we grow up to maturity, when we learn more, when we gain  more knowledge, more understanding, more experience in life and when we gain more wisdom.

One view for me that has changed since about the late 80s and early 90s was my view about the Trinity. I grew up with a Catholic background but the Trinity was just a mere doctrine which was taught to me as a young boy in a Catholic school — nothing more. The Trinity doctrine really had nothing to do with my life.

I began to understand it better and better as God opened my mind to who he really is — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit — through his revelation of himself in Jesus Christ.

Understanding the Triune God

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit has included me into their inner circle of life and love. I now know that I have been created to enjoy fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit beginning now, at this present time and for all eternity. The Triune God is a God of relationships. He is interested in having a relationship with me and all of humanity.

Surely, we will continue to grope in the dark and live miserable lives  had not God in his amazing grace, opened our minds to know the truth about who God really is and who we really are in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to the Lord.

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