Might have eternal life?

[joyfulseraph]

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. - John 3:16-17

This doesn’t seem right at all. Might have eternal life?? Doesn’t that means then that Jesus died for almost nothing? I mean, he died for our sins of course, but does that mean there is something wrong there? That we only *might *be saved because he did that? Almost sounds as if we can’t have confident faith in that.

I look at other translations and the others don’t say “might.” This was the very first verse I ever knew when I was a kid, and I always knew it like “God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall NOT perish but have everlasting life”

The greek doesn’t even say might…

 

[bilop]

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. - John 3:16-17

This doesn’t seem right at all. Might have eternal life?? Doesn’t that means then that Jesus died for almost nothing? I mean, he died for our sins of course, but does that mean there is something wrong there? That we only *might *be saved because he did that? Almost sounds as if we can’t have confident faith in that.

I look at other translations and the others don’t say “might.” This was the very first verse I ever knew when I was a kid, and I always knew it like “God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall NOT perish but have everlasting life”

The greek doesn’t even say might…

The Douay Rheims (direct transaltion of St. Jerome’s Vulgate) has St. John 3:16 as:

16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.

So, it is possible for those who believe in Christ should have life everlasting.

This is totally consistent with Catholic teaching. We need not only to believe, but to conform our life to Christ’s commandments. Remember, even Satan believes, he just doesn’t obey.

As Jesus says in St. Matthew, Ch. 19.

16 And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? 17 Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

God Bless

 

[joyfulseraph]

The Douay Rheims (direct transaltion of St. Jerome’s Vulgate) has St. John 3:16 as:

So, it is possible for those who believe in Christ should have life everlasting.

This is totally consistent with Catholic teaching. We need not only to believe, but to conform our life to Christ’s commandments. Remember, even Satan believes, he just doesn’t obey.

As Jesus says in St. Matthew, Ch. 19.

God Bless

I’m still kind of confused, but thanks.

 

[porthos11]

I’m still kind of confused, but thanks.

Some people like to make a fuss of this verse’s translation because they see OSAS in translations that do not use “may” or “might.”

The truth is that the Greek isn’t easy to consistently translate either translation is doctrinally sound. Even the absence of “may” or “might” does not support OSAS. After all, Pauline writings are also as explicit, or even more so, and yet they do not support OSAS as well.

 

[turtle18]

Jesus lived and died for us so that we might have the opportunity for eternal life. You have to repent of your sins and lead a good and holy life in order to go to heaven. There are a lot of people who believe they can do what they want and then say they are sorry at the end. You cannot reject The Way, The Truth and the Life. If you do, you are not going to heaven.

 

[bilop]

I’m still kind of confused, but thanks.

OK. I’ll try again.

Basically, b/c of Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection we have a chance at eternal life. Not a guarantee. We need to believe, repent, and follow Christ’s and Church’s commandments.

Without Christ, we wouldn’t even have that chance.

If you still are confused, just explain your confusion, and I’ll try to help.

God Bless

 

[ziapueblo]

I’m still kind of confused, but thanks.

Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Like previous posts have stated, it takes more than faith to enter heaven. We must have faith, confess our sins, and do the will of the Father to enter heaven.