John 3:18
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
is not condemned--Having, immediately on his believing, "passed from death unto life" (Joh 5:24). condemned already--Rejecting the one way of deliverance from that "condemnation" which God gave His Son to remove, and so wilfully remaining condemned.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, concerning the great mysteries of the gospel, in which he here privately instructs him (v. 1-21). II. John Baptist's discourse with his disciples concerning Christ, upon occasion of his coming into the neighbourhood where John was (Joh 3:22-36), in which he fairly and faithfully resigns all his honour and interest to him.
Open source ↗3:18 As light penetrates and exposes the world’s darkness, God’s judgment on the world has already begun. Those who see this light and recognize the tragedy of their own situation have the responsibility of believing in God’s . . . Son (3:16-17).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.