For…So
“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
“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
The word “for” (gar) in the Greek is a primary particle. Should you choose to do a study on the word “for” and exactly what is a primary particle, you would find that a particle is a word that has a grammatical function, but has little meaning on its own. While most words have specific dictionary meanings, particles show relationships rather than offer definitions.
In John 3.16, the particle “for” expresses a relationship between the previous statement of John 3.14 & 15 and the fact of “how” God loved the world. John relates the raising of the brass serpent in the wilderness (the offer of protection by God from the lethal bites of the well-hidden snakes) to the raising of Christ on the cross. He expresses the need for an individual to believe in “Him” in order to escape destruction (“perish” – apollumi – “to destroy, to deny the useful purpose of something”) and obtain eternal life.
There are many things in which we put our trust. In a few days from the time of this writing, my wife, Nancy, and I will celebrate 48 years of marriage. Through the years we have experienced many ups and downs – glad times and sad times – times of ease and times of extreme stress. As we have continued in committed love for each other, our trust has grown – there is no one in the world whom I trust more than my wife. While that is wonderful, it will not get me one inch closer to heaven and the pearly gates.
Most people own a vehicle and drive weekly. We trust the vehicle to get us to work and worship – to shopping and home. We also trust the driver in the other vehicle to stay in their lane and drive defensively. Due to my recent health issues, I have at times had to trust not only the driver in the other car but also my driver. Having been the principal driver on all of our excursions in the past, my trust in the chauffeur’s ability has not been perfected in faith. However, the fact that I am sitting here at my computer typing out this meditation is evidence that I have made it home safely. That is good news, but it is not the Good News that leads to eternal life.
Looking up to the brazen serpent saved the lives of those who, by faith, trusted in the declaration of God’s Word – but, it did nothing to insure the believer of that declaration to have obtained eternal life. “And 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.” (John 3.14, 15)
The “For” connects this metaphor with reality. In God’s Word, saving faith is specifically and particularly identified as believing something to be true, to be persuaded of something to the point of having a life and heart changing experience. (See Hebrews 10.38) This faith will be exhibited by a changed manner of life.
The “For” connects the idea of believing with the “So” – the object of faith. Faith in oneself is insufficient when compared to eternity. The only object in which we can place our faith with the security of obtaining eternal life is a Person – Jesus Christ – the only begotten Son of God, who revealed Himself in a mantle of flesh and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 1.1, 2; 10.5)
In John 3.16, the particle “for” expresses a relationship between the previous statement of John 3.14 & 15 and the fact of “how” God loved the world. John relates the raising of the brass serpent in the wilderness (the offer of protection by God from the lethal bites of the well-hidden snakes) to the raising of Christ on the cross. He expresses the need for an individual to believe in “Him” in order to escape destruction (“perish” – apollumi – “to destroy, to deny the useful purpose of something”) and obtain eternal life.
There are many things in which we put our trust. In a few days from the time of this writing, my wife, Nancy, and I will celebrate 48 years of marriage. Through the years we have experienced many ups and downs – glad times and sad times – times of ease and times of extreme stress. As we have continued in committed love for each other, our trust has grown – there is no one in the world whom I trust more than my wife. While that is wonderful, it will not get me one inch closer to heaven and the pearly gates.
Most people own a vehicle and drive weekly. We trust the vehicle to get us to work and worship – to shopping and home. We also trust the driver in the other vehicle to stay in their lane and drive defensively. Due to my recent health issues, I have at times had to trust not only the driver in the other car but also my driver. Having been the principal driver on all of our excursions in the past, my trust in the chauffeur’s ability has not been perfected in faith. However, the fact that I am sitting here at my computer typing out this meditation is evidence that I have made it home safely. That is good news, but it is not the Good News that leads to eternal life.
Looking up to the brazen serpent saved the lives of those who, by faith, trusted in the declaration of God’s Word – but, it did nothing to insure the believer of that declaration to have obtained eternal life. “And 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.” (John 3.14, 15)
The “For” connects this metaphor with reality. In God’s Word, saving faith is specifically and particularly identified as believing something to be true, to be persuaded of something to the point of having a life and heart changing experience. (See Hebrews 10.38) This faith will be exhibited by a changed manner of life.
The “For” connects the idea of believing with the “So” – the object of faith. Faith in oneself is insufficient when compared to eternity. The only object in which we can place our faith with the security of obtaining eternal life is a Person – Jesus Christ – the only begotten Son of God, who revealed Himself in a mantle of flesh and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 1.1, 2; 10.5)
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