He gave…
“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
God’s Word is clear that salvation is a gift. Many times over we read that it is something entirely of God and that the only recourse of the sinner, who is apart from God, is to believe and accept God’s provision.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2.8-10)
The Epistle to the Ephesians was written to those who were already a part of the household of faith (Ephesians 1.1). Notice in the introductory words, Paul expressly states that the letter is to “the saints.” The workmanship and works mentioned in chapter two result from the work God has already performed by applying His gift to undeserving and helpless creatures. Those apart from God’s saving grace have nothing upon which to build good works and thereby, they have no good works to offer.
Someone outside the household of faith may respond to the work of God as God draws him. (John 6.44) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5.1, 2)
Having said all that, I’d like for us to take notice of the word “gave” in John 3.16. “Gave” translates the Greek word “didomi” which indicates something bestowed upon someone – a gift that would not be revoked.
When I was a youngster, my friends and I would often trade items. On occasion, one of the partners in the deal would decide they had not traded well and would demand a return of their stuff. At some point, we adopted an agreement that went something like this: “Sticks, stacks, no take back.” Having both to repeat this phrase, we had sealed the deal forever.
In speaking of this giving, Jesus uses the aorist tense. Unfortunately, there is no exact English equivalent but it is nearly always translated in the simple past tense. The aorist tense offers punctiliar action (something that happens at a specific time and is a done deal) and is completed. The force of the tense is that it shows a settled action that will neither diminish nor be repealed. And, it has no past, present or future designation – just something accomplished.
When God gave His Son, it was a done deal – no take back. While on the earth, Jesus could not have reneged on His mission – He had agreed to it and the Father had commissioned it. (Acts 2.23) The aorist tense requires that when the decision was made, it was a done deal at that point in time. When Jesus was conceived and born, it was a done deal at that point in time. When Jesus completed His mission on the Cross, it was a done deal at that point in time.
Salvation has been secured by the work of the Savior on the Cross – by the gift of the Father – by the fulfilling through the power of God’s Spirit.
Because of this great gift, those who believe are complete in Him.
Copyright © 2023 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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