John, a Jew, an apostle is the one writing the epistle of 1 John -
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." (1John 1:1-3)
John is writing to other Jews -
"Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard." (1John 2:7)
John here is explaining that Jesus Christ is the expiation for the whole world, Gentiles as well as Jews. The phrase "whole world" does not mean every person without exception. I have found no Greek-English Lexicon or English dictionary that defines "the world" in as everyone without exception. It must be 'read into' the phrase.
"So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?" (Rom 11:11-15)
John 3:16 records the same thing as Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, Jew, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, a teacher of Israel and he informs this Pharisee that God so loved the world, not just Jews. This same writer, John, gives us who the world is in Revelation -
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of [or from] every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" (Rev 5:9)
There is the world Jesus loves! Notice Jesus Christ by his blood redeemed men to God "out of", not everyone of each kindred, tongue, people and nation without exception.
It is no wonder that most evangelicals cannot refute the Jehovah's Witnesses, they use the same superficial proof texting the JWs do, not truly understanding the verses they string together.
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