John 3:36

hath everlasting life Or, eternal life(see on John 3:16). Note the tense; -hath" not -shall have." Believers are already in possession of eternal life. Christians often think of eternal life as something yet to be won. It has been already given to them; the question is whether they will lose it again or not. The struggle is not to gain but to retain. Comp. John 17:3.

he that believeth not This may also mean he that obeyeth not, and this is better, for it is not the same word as -he that believeth" with the negative added. The same correction seems to be needed, Acts 14:2; Acts 19:9; Romans 11:30 (see margin). Comp. Hebrews 4:6; Hebrews 4:11; 1 Peter 4:17.

shall not see Not only has not beheld, but has no prospect of beholding.

the wrath of God This phrase occurs nowhere else in the Gospels. It is the necessary complement of the love of God. If there is love for those who believe, there must be wrath for those who refuse to believe. Comp. Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; Romans 1:18; Romans 9:22; Romans 12:19.

abideth Not -shall come to him:" this is his portion already. He is under a ban until he believes, and he refuses to believe: therefore the ban remains. He, like the believer, not only willhave but hashis portion; it rests with him also, whether the portion continues his. He has to struggle, not to avert a sentence, but to be freed from it.