John 3:16

γάρ. Explaining how God wills life to every believer. Τὸν κόσμον = the whole human race (see on John 1:10). This would be a revelation to the exclusive Pharisee, brought up to believe that God loved only the Chosen People. Ἀγαπᾶν very frequent in the Gospel and First Epistle, and may be considered characteristic of S. John: see on John 5:20. Μονογενῆ; see on John 1:14. This shews the greatness of God’s love: it would remind Nicodemus of the offering of Isaac. Comp. 1 John 4:9; Hebrews 11:17; Romans 8:32. Ἔδωκεν is stronger than ‘sent:’ it was a free gift to the world. Winer, p. 377.

πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων. The only limitation: eternal life is open to all. Ἀπόληται. Subj. after a past tense; see on John 1:7. The translation of ζωὴ αἰώνιος should be uniform; A.V. wavers between ‘eternal life’ (John 3:15; John 5:39; John 6:54; John 6:68, &c.), ‘life eternal’ (John 4:36; John 12:25), ‘everlasting life’ (here, John 3:36; John 4:14; John 5:24, &c.), and ‘life everlasting’ (John 12:50): ‘eternal life’ is best.