John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish… I. ITS CHARACTERISTICS. 1. Eternal: "loved." Who can tell when it began? 2. Compassionate: "the world." 3. Unspeakable: "so" II. ITS MANIFESTATION. 1. Condescending. 2. Sacrificial. 3. Exhaustive. III. ITS PURPOSE. 1. Broad: "whosoever." 2. Limited: "believeth." 3. Blessed. (1) Negative: "should not perish." (2) Positive: "have everlasting life." (R. S. MacArthur, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |