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For God did not so love the whole world - only Israel! John 3:16 revised

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Date

Authors

Botha, J. Eugene
Rousseau, P.A.

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria

Abstract

John 3:16 is probably the most popular and widely proclaimed proof-text for God’s love for all of humankind – the “world”. This interpretation of the verse is based on a meaning for which the Greek word cosmos can be used, but the word is used to denote many other meanings as well. The one interpretation of cosmos as “world” is then read into all instances where cosmos appears, including John 3:16. This position is held and defended by some in an almost fanatical manner by some. However, if this verse is exegetically considered in its primary context, the Fourth Gospel, it becomes clear that John 3:16 does not speak of God’s universal love of all of human kind. Far from it. The verse indeed has a completely different meaning.

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Spine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9 Web display format PDF

Keywords

John 3:16, Cosmos

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Botha, JE & Rousseau, PA 2005, 'For God did not so love the whole world - only Israel! John 3:16 revised', HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 1149-1168.[http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/issue/archive]