For many believers, John 3:16 is the first scripture we learned and committed to memory. Many of the things that have been in our memory for a long time can lose their meaning and relevance. So let’s take a deeper look at this well-known verse. Each word is there for a purpose. By defining each one, we can see an even greater value in having this scripture close to our hearts.

For God so loved [regarded with affection, on account of some qualities which excited pleasing sensations of desire or gratification] the world [mankind; people in general] that He gave [exposed; sent forth; pledged; bestowed; transmitted from himself] his only [this and no other] Son, so that everyone [each individual of a whole collection] who believes [having a firm persuasion approaching to certainty] in him will not perish [die; lose life in any manner], but have eternal [without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal] life [eternal happiness in heaven].

John 3:16 (NLT)

Definitions derived from Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.

Daily Bible reading: 1 Kings 21-22. John 3:1-21