John 3:18

Authorized King James Version

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
πεπίστευκεν
G4100
He that believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#3
εἰς
G1519
in
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#4
αὐτὸν
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#5
οὐ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#6
κέκριται
G2919
condemned
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
#7
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
δὲ
G1161
but
but, and, etc
#9
μὴ
G3361
not
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#10
πεπίστευκεν
G4100
He that believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#11
ἤδη
G2235
already
even now
#12
κέκριται
G2919
condemned
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
#13
ὅτι
G3754
because
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#14
μὴ
G3361
not
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#15
πεπίστευκεν
G4100
He that believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#16
εἰς
G1519
in
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#17
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
ὄνομα
G3686
the name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#19
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
μονογενοῦς
G3439
of the only begotten
only-born, i.e., sole
#21
υἱοῦ
G5207
Son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#22
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
θεοῦ
G2316
of God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis

The faith and obedience theme here intersects with the proper human response to divine revelation across Scripture. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of faith and obedience within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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