For whom did Christ die?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

God loved the world so much that He offered His Son, that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. God sent Him to save the world through Him, not to condemn it. If anyone believes in the only Son of God, they are not condemned. But if they do not believe, they are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's only Son. The judgement is the light coming into the world and people clinging to the darkness instead because they practice evil. Those practicing evil will stay in darkness so they won’t be exposed by the light. But those that practice righteousness come to the light so that what they do is easily seen to be of God.

Nicodemus, a pharisee, has come to Jesus at night acknowledging that Jesus is from God because of His miracles (vs 2). Jesus responds by telling him a truth, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,” and concluding with this well-known passage.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Christ’s love controls us because we have concluded that one died for all, and therefore all died. He died for all so that those who live no longer live for themself but for Him who died and was raised for them.

Paul is speaking of the temporary state the Christian finds themself in – yearning to be “further clothed” but still in this “tent” in which we “groan” to be with Him (vss 1-4). His encouragement is to be reconciled to God through Christ and the “ministry of reconciliation” that he preaches (vss 16-20).

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

But we see that Jesus, who was crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering and death, was made lower than the angels for a time, in order that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone.

The writer is concluding his introductory argument of Jesus’ supremacy over all of those messengers that for the Jew have come before. Specifically, he has contrasted Jesus against the prophets and angels by “calling forward” and interpreting several Old Testament prophecies and sayings.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

We know that we dwell in Him [the Father] and He in us because He gave us His [Holy] Spirit. We [apostles] have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world and whoever confesses such abides together with the Father.

John is arguing that Christians are to love each other since “God is love” (vss 8, 16) and He “loved us first” (vs 19). He goes on to say that we know we love (or are loving) our brethren “whenever we love God and obey his commandments” (5:2).

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

For Christ, the righteous one, also suffered once for sins of the unrighteous so that he could bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

Peter’s letter of encouragement to the “elect” scattered throughout the region who were facing great persecution for their faith. Here he is telling them to “not be surprised” (vs 12) with trials/suffering and reminding them of the glory that it brings, as it did with Christ.

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

He (Christ) is the atonement for our sins, and not ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by keeping his commandments, we know that we have come to know him.

John, in his letter to brethren, makes refrain after refrain for them to continue to “walk in the light”. In the first chapter he states it as, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1:6). John emphasizes here and throughout our “walk” to be in accordance with Jesus’ word and His walk (vs 6).

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Come to me (Jesus), all who are troubled and weighed down and I will give you rest. Submit under me and learn from me, for I am gentle and meek, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden light.

Later in Jesus’ ministry when his cousin John the Baptist has been imprisoned (vs 2) before his death. “Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.” (vs 20)Matthew’s is the only account (11:20-30).

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Since we have our hope set on the living God, we work and labor. He is the Savior of all people and most for those who believe in Him.

Paul’s letter to a young preacher, Timothy. Throughout the letter, Paul’s instructions have to do with Timothy’s activities and relationship with the brethren there with Timothy (the church).

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

God has not forgotten about his promise, but is patiently waiting, not wanting any to perish but for all to reach repentance.

Peter’s letters have been of encouragement to the saints to remain strong during persecution and false prophets. God has not forgotten them or His promises (vs 8); the “day of the Lord” will come as a “thief in the night.” (vs 10)

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Just as you [God] sent me into the world, I have sent them [apostles] into the world. For their sake, I dedicate myself so that they also may be set apart in/by your Word.

Jesus’ prayer (sometimes referred to as “The High Priestly Prayer”) before being turned over to the Jewish authorities to be crucified. In this section beginning with verse 6, He prays for His disciples but particularly it seems for the apostles and their special mission to “go to all the world and preach” (Mk 16:15).

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

He (Jesus) came to His own people, but they did not receive Him. However, anyone that did — by believing in Him as the Christ — He gave the right to become a child of God, having been born again, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

The beginning of John’s testimony of the things he witnessed about Jesus’ time on earth. He elaborates on Jesus, the Son of God’s, manifestation in the flesh (vs 14).

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

The Son of Man came to serve, not to be served, and to give His life to ransom many.

Jesus is in the midst of His public ministry. His apostles have just engaged in an exchange, really an argument, about who might be exalted in His kingdom. Matthew (20:20-28) and Luke (22:25-27) also record this event.

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

What do you think? If someone has 100 sheep and one goes astray, does he not leave the 99 in search of the one? And if he finds it, does he not rejoice over the 1 more than the 99 that never left? So it is the will of My Father in heaven that not one of these little ones should perish.

The disciples have approached Jesus asking about who will be the greatest in the kingdom (vs 1). Jesus responds by illustrating the preciousness and innocence of one believing soul (vss 2-5) and the seriousness and very real threat of temptation (vss 6-9), before coming back to His example of a little child (vs 10) and another illustration using sheep.