We have a major problem here. If John 3:16 is in the subjunctive mood (in English and Greek grammar), then it shows the intent of probability or possibility. One of the forms of the subjunctive mood is in the form in which I expressed my second sentence, which is the “if… then” format. The words “will” or “shall” are not in the verse, but the word “should” is. The word “should” shows probability or possibility, which indicates the believer is dependent on the mercy of God’s grace. There is no indicative mood here which reflects a linear and commanding status of the believer.

As the article below will show, John 3:16 is in the subjunctive mood in the English and Greek grammar, and the intention and denotation are dependent on the mood of the verse in which it was presented and on one little Greek word. It appears that one of the all-time beloved and well-known verses in the entire Bible is also one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented texts of the Word of God, and upon further examination has a deeper and much richer meaning than many have supposed.

The following Q&A was found at http://www.bteministries.org/

Question:
I was looking for a Greek translation of John 3:16 and found it on what looks like one of your websites, http://www.bteministries.org/PDF/John/John03.16-21.pdf. I was wondering if you support this interpretation. My reason for asking is that in this translation it has that one “might be saved” if he or she believes in Christ while the KJV states that one will “have everlasting life”. Why the discrepancy?

Answer:
Actually there is no discrepancy at all. Your question illustrates the great need that I have been promoting for years: the need to understand the grammar of both English and the original Greek for proper translation. First of all, the Greek from which the KJV is translated uses what is called the subjunctive mood for the words “perish” and “have.” The subjunctive mood expresses “possibility, probability, or purpose,” so these two words could be translated three ways: “may,” “should,” or “might.” In our literal translation we have: “in order that everyone who is believing into Him may not perish, but may have eternal life.” Using the subjunctive mood with the conjunction hINA (translated “in order that”) dictates that the subjunctive mood is expressing purpose. So this sentence says that God sent His Son in order that (purpose) the one believing into Him may not perish but may have eternal life.The King James Translation is also correct but one must understand the format of the translation. The KJV reads: “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The word “should” expresses the subjunctive mood but is applied to both “perish” and “have.” In your presentation you took the word “have” and put a “will” in front of it which is not in the translation. The word “should” in the KJV goes with both subjunctives “perish” and “have”.

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