Charles Ellicott Commentary John 3:18

"He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." — John 3:18 (ASV)

He that believes on him is not condemned.—Again, judged is better than “condemned.” There is, moreover, an important change of tense in this verse, which the Authorized Version does not mark clearly. He that believes on Him, is not judged: but he that believes not has been (and is) already judged.

Because he has not believed.—The human spirit fulfills the end of its being, and finds its highest good, in communion with God. It cannot, then, fail to recognize and believe in a revelation of God. This revelation has been made in the only way in which it can be fully made , in the person of the only begotten Son.

The very fact that He is rejected is the judgment of the spirit which rejects. It has lost by neglect its power to perceive, or by will it hides itself from God. I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself (Genesis 3:10).