Thank you for the biblical question on John 3:16, “Did God have a son? How come I read in the scriptures that “For God so loved the world that he gave is only begotten son”?”
John 3:16 is one of the most loved passages for Christians. Many Christians know the verse by heart. It is probably one of the first verses that one memories when one comes to faith in Jesus Christ.
As one reads John 3, I hope that one will keep in mind John 1. They are linked together for John 1 gives the broader framework for the rest of the Gospel. In other words, the key to understanding the Gospel is found in John 1.
I highlighted a portion that relates to John 3:16. The text says this, “9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (NIV).
For your consideration, here are some thoughts for you:
A. The idea of being born is prevalent in John 1 and John 3.
In John 1, the word, became, born is cited 10 times. In John 3, that word form is cited 11 times. Thus the idea of becoming/became or being born is significant thought in those two chapters.
B. The specific phrase, the only begotten Son or the one and only Son in John 1 and John 3
In John 1, the phrase, the only begotten is cited in verse 14 and 18. In John 3, that same phrase is cited in verse 16 and 18.
The Greek word, gennao, has the idea of to beget, bear or born. However, the word, the only begotten, has been translated from the Greek word, monogenao which is literally translated one born or one begotten.
John 1 and John 3 states that one is born, that is of a physical or spiritual birth. He doesn’t use “mongenao” with the children being born of God or with Nicodemus. That term is restricted to the person who came from God.
C. The birth of the Second Person of the Godhead.
The Apostle John says that there is one who came from God into the world. In theological term that person is called the Second Person of the Godhead.
The text says this in verse 9, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” That sentence is further explained with these words in verse 14, “14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” In other words, this person who was with God in heaven came to earth taking on human flesh and lived among the Jews. Christians used the words the incarnation of the Word or the incarnation of Jesus.
In my opinion, the Apostle John used that designation, the Only Begotten, to signify the unique coming of the Second Person of the Godhead to be born through the virgin Mary to become the God-Man, not just a man, but God becoming a man.
Luke 1 says this, “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (NIV).
Note that the angel declares that the baby born to her will be called the Son of the Most High. That is a designated title given to the Second Person of the Godhead. Thus when John 3 cites that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish affirms John 1 that the person, being became flesh. God gave or God sent the One who was with God to become known as the Son of God.
Care must be taken for I do not believe the Scriptures state that The Logos in John 1:1 was created by God. The Logos always existed with God and is God. John does not use the verb, became for The Logos. In other words, he did not say, “The Logos became God.” but that “The Logos is/was God.” in that he came to earth.
SUMMARY: God did not created The Logos or created the Son. The Logos eternally existed with God and the title, the Son of God, was given to him for being born into this world to redeem mankind.
For additional perspectives and insight: