John 3:17,18 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

(17)  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  Some have suggested that Jesus was attempting to correct the Pharisaic tradition (possibly held by Nicodemus) that the Jewish Messiah would come to overthrow the Gentile world at large.  Other commentators have pointed out that the Greek word for condemn, by itself, carries the more neutral meaning of "to separate," or "to judge."  However, we find that other Bible verses expressly state that Jesus had come for judgment; and that, in the future, He will judge the living and the dead, and separate the good from the wicked.

The word "condemn" used in the English translation to convey the negative connotation of judgment is appropriate when verse seventeen is subjected to the context of the eighteenth verse.  Condemnation is the default judgment against the fallen world in its unregenerate state.  So it would not be necessary for God to send His Son for the purpose of condemnation, since condemnation had already been justified and pronounced by God due to man's rebellion.  The necessary work of the Son's mission was therefore, that the world through Him might be saved.  In His mercy, God sent His Son into the world to reverse the damage caused by sin and to stay the impending penalty of death.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:1-7

 

 

(18a)  "He who believes in Him is not condemned;"  The one who believes in the Son of God is not condemned.  The believer stands presently acquitted of sin and death.  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." - John 5:24  No future tribunal awaits the believer.  God has ordained that fallen man might lay hold of the pardon purchased by Christ's redeeming sacrifice through the act of believing in Jesus.

 

For what does the Scripture say?  "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.  But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." - Romans 4:3-8

(18b)  "but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."  Except for the forgiveness availed by trusting in Christ, man's condemnation for sin is certain.  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. - Ephesians 5:5,6

 

Because those who remain unrepentant and reject Christ are condemned already, God has not completely delayed sin's destructive forces until the final judgment.  Turning away from God in this life has resulted in man's deprivation of God's integrity; including His attributes of love, kindness, and truthfulness.

 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. - Romans 1:28-32

 

God's Word and Christ's Church are not being hostile toward humanity when they bring sin and its destructive effects to the attention of society.  Sin is already condemned and the corruption of sin is already evident.  The Ten Commandments are not meant to offend, but to guide us Christ.  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. - Galatians 3:24