Charles Spurgeon 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)

But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He that believeth not is condemned already. If you have heard of Christ's salvation, and you have not believed in him, that is evidence enough of your condemnation. There is no need to prove your evil works, no need to fetch your diary, and turn over the record of your life. If you have not believed in Jesus Christ, it shows a natural lack of holiness, a lack of love to the loving God; and by that evidence you are condemned already, because you have not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

But he that believeth not is condemned already,

Hear that, condemned already; not in a state of probation.

Never was there a greater mistake than to say that men are in a state of probation. That probation has passed long ago. They have been proved in the world, and, if they are unbelievers, they are condemned already. Condemned already.

Because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

May the Lord bless to us the reading of this very simple gospel chapter, for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake! Amen.

He that believeth on him is not condemned:

That is a grand truth.

But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

His not believing is the master-sin, the surest evidence of his being, in his heart, an enemy to God. If he refuses to trust Christ, the matchless gift of the Father's love, he must be desperately set on wickedness, and he "is condemned already." These two truths—the necessity of the new birth, and the fact that everyone who believes in Christ is saved—are quite consistent and in perfect harmony with each other. May God grant us the grace to know them both by experience! Never talk about "reconciling" them, for they have never fallen out with one another. May God grant that we may find them both true in our own lives, for his dear Son's sake! Amen.