Biblical Studies\New Testament Studies\New Testament Books\The Gospels

In John 3:16, does “the world” refer to the elect or to fallen humanity?

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We should not view “the world” in John 3:16 as just the elect because there is a strong emphasis in the Scriptures on the love that God has for the world that has turned against Him.

In John’s gospel, “world” usually means either “not just the Jews” or “the world as a fallen entity.” In the context of John 3:16, both of these things are true. The wonder of the gospel is that God so loved this fallen world that He gave His only Son. There is also an aspect of “the world” that points to God’s love not being exclusively for the Jews. So, to limit that statement to the elect would diminish the fact that it is the lost world that has drawn the compassion of God.

This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with Sinclair Ferguson and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sinclair Ferguson

Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow, vice-chairman of Ligonier Ministries, and Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. He is featured teacher for several Ligonier teaching series, including Union with Christ. He is author of many books, including The Whole Christ, Maturity, and Devoted to God's Church. Dr. Ferguson is also host of the podcast Things Unseen.