Albert Barnes Commentary John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." — John 3:16 (ASV)

For God so loved. This does not mean that God approved the conduct of people, but that he had benevolent feelings toward them, or was earnestly desirous of their happiness. God hates wickedness, but he still desires the happiness of those who are sinful. He hates the sin, but loves the sinner. A parent may love his child and desire his welfare, and yet be strongly opposed to the conduct of that child. When we approve the conduct of another, this is the love of complacency; when we desire simply their happiness, this is the love of benevolence.

The world. All mankind. It does not mean any particular part of the world, but man as man—the race that had rebelled and that deserved to die. See John 6:33; John 17:21. His love for the world, or for all mankind, in giving his Son, was shown by these circumstances:

1. All the world was in ruin, and exposed to the wrath of God.
2. All people were in a hopeless condition.
3. God gave his Son. Humankind had no claim on him; it was a gift—an undeserved gift.
4. He gave him up to extreme sufferings, even the bitter pains of death on the cross.
5. It was for all the world. He tasted death for every man, (Hebrews 2:9). He died for all, (2 Corinthians 5:15). He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, (1 John 2:2).

That he gave. It was a free and unmerited gift. Humankind had no claim; and when there was no eye to pity or arm to save, it pleased God to give his Son into the hands of people to die in their place (Galatians 1:4; Romans 8:32; Luke 22:19). It was the mere movement of love; the expression of eternal compassion, and of a desire that sinners should not perish forever.

His only-begotten Son. See Barnes on John 1:14.

This is the highest expression of love of which we can conceive. A parent who would give up his only son to die for others who are guilty—if this could or might be done—would show higher love than could be manifested in any other way. So it shows the depth of the love of God, that he was willing to give his only Son into the hands of sinful people so that he might be put to death, and thus redeem them from eternal sorrow.