Studies in the Gospel According Ba |jj ■ 15 John* By R. A . TORREY H (These Stiidies are for careful study, not rapid and heedless reading)
II. The Public Ministry of Jesus Leading Those Who Were of the Truth to Believe in Him as the Christ, the Son of God. Ch. 1:19— 12:5 (Continued.)
7. ’ ’Johns Comments on the In terview between the ILord Jesus and Nicodemus, 3:16-21. V. 16. “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten ■Son, that, whosoever (rather , every one who,) believeth in (rather, on) him should (rather, may) not perish, but have everlasting life.“ (Che conversation with Nicodemus closed with verse 15. From verses 16 to 21 we have comments made by-John suggested’by this conversation. This i? clear from several facts, (1 ). The use of the phrase “ Only begotten Son.” This phrase wherever else used o f Christ in the New Testament is used by John himself, the passages be ing. chapter 1:14, 18; 1 John 4 :9 . (2 ). The phrase, “ Believe in the name o f” (see v. 18) is never found in the recorded words of Christ, but it does occur \n John’s writings in chapter 1: 12 ; 2 :23 and 1 John 5:13. (3 ). The phrase “ to dp. the truth” (see v. 21 ) occurs only in one other place in the New Testament and that in John’s own writing (1 John 1 :6 ). (4 ). The tenses o f the Greek verbs in verse 19 translated “ loved” and “ were” point to a time already past when the words were used, which would fit the time of John’s writing at the close o f the first century, but would not fit at all the time of our Lord’s speaking to Nicodemus at the time of the opening of His ministry. At the time that our Lord spoke to Nicodemus there had not as yet been that full manifestation
o f Himself that would make it possi ble for men to show that they loved darkness« rather than light by reject ing Him, the incarnate Light. The fact, however, >that these ,words are the words of John and not the words of our Lord Jesus Himself does not in the least detract from their truth or authority. They are God’s Words spoken through the Apostle John. They are an inspired interpretation of the meaning of pur Lord’s mission. Further down in the chapter (vs. 31-36) we have John’s inspired com ments upon the words of John the Baptist which are found in the verses immediately preceding (vs. 27-30). Verse 16 is one. of the profoundest and most comprehensive utterances in the whole Bible. Martin Luther said of this verse, “ These words are the Bible- in miniature.” ,It is said that when Luther lay dying he repeated this verse from the Vulgate. Verses 16 and 17 taken together set forth God’s purpose in the incarnation and death o f His Son. Verse 18 sets forth the result of His incarnation and death in those who, on the one hand, accept Him, and- those who, on the other hand, reject Him. Verses 19 and 20 set forth the character of the condem nation that results from rejecting Him and explain why it is that men do re ject Him and verse 21 explains why it is that some receive Him. The coming of the only begotten Son o f God into the world originated in the eternal love of God for the world. The Son of God did not come and die in order that God might love
•Copyright, 1913, by K. A. Torrey.
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