SAMPLE · JOHN 3:16 ONLY · NOT THE COMPLETE CHAPTER
God’s Love and the Gift of the Son
16 For in this same manner God loved the world: He gave His Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Functional Idiomatic Translation · One-verse sample
SAMPLE · JOHN 3:16 ONLY · NOT THE COMPLETE CHAPTER
16 For in this same manner God loved the world: He gave His Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.
The adjective monogenēs (μονογενής) can mean “only,” “one of a kind,” or “unique,” including uniqueness within a special relationship. Isaac illustrates why a strictly numerical reading is not always sufficient: Hebrews 11:17 calls Isaac Abraham’s monogenēs, although Ishmael was born first (Genesis 16:15–16), and Abraham later had other sons (Genesis 25:1–4). Isaac was the uniquely designated son of the covenant promise (Genesis 17:19–21; 21:12). The standard Septuagint text of Genesis 22:2 and 22:12 calls Isaac agapētos (ἀγαπητός, “beloved”). Other ancient Greek versions use monogenēs for Isaac: Aquila at Genesis 22:2 and Symmachus at Genesis 22:12. These Greek renderings and Hebrews 11:17 demonstrate the word’s capacity to identify a singularly significant son despite the existence of other sons. In John 3:16 the term identifies Jesus’ unique relationship to the Father; it does not by itself imply that the Son was created. The FIT Version retains μονογενῆ untranslated to avoid narrowing its meaning to a single English gloss.
Textual background: Genesis 22:2, 12 (standard LXX; Aquila; Symmachus); Hebrews 11:17; Genesis 16:15–16; 17:19–21; 21:12; 25:1–4.Hover over or tap the Greek term to open this note. Close with ×, Escape, or a tap outside.