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
It is often the little things that speak so loudly that we miss their important place in our lives. Also, it is often that some things become so familiar to us that we miss meditating on the marvelousness of God’s provision.
A very small – often overlooked word in John 3.16 is the word “so.” I remember hearing someone once explain this word saying: “Jesus looked on a sinful, needy world and threw open His arms as far as He could reach and said, ‘I love the world this much,’ and then He died.” While all of that is quite true – that God loved the world to that degree – it is not quite the application intended here.
The Greek word, “houto,” which translates “so” is used 212 times and is an adverb supporting the verb “loved.” We know the verb love which translates the Greek word, “agapao,” indicating a selfless and sacrificial love. This love is one that expects no reciprocation but one that offers itself freely and without reservation. Only God is capable of this type of love and only He can enable a fallen creature such as you and I the opportunity to commit ourselves to expressing this love to others.
It is this love through which God identified Himself to a fallen and far-removed race of humanity – a love by which we are unable to respond in like fashion. Throughout history, God has revealed Himself through miracles, floods, fire and even burning bushes. In these latter days, He has chosen to reveal His love to humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ.
God is singularly revealed through His Son – not through signs and wonders, nor by miracles and new prophecies. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world….” (Hebrews 1.1, 2)
Not only is this revelation great and marvelous, but John writes and says that God has revealed Himself “so.” The word indicates a manner of action and could be translated “thusly” or “in this manner.” The power of the verse is not so much the great extent of God’s love, but the manner in which He offers it. In other words, the verse says that God loved (unselfishly and without thought of reciprocation) the world in the following manner – He reached out to us through the medium of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
It is imperative that we understand that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is God in the flesh. “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.” (Hebrews 10.5)
No longer do we search the Holy One through personal sacrifices and the blood of animals – we now learn of Him through the manner of believing in His revealed Person – through His Son.
God so (in this manner) loved the world…
Copyright © 2023 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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