In the Fourth Gospel it is the same representa- tion of the nature of God that meets us. Here, too, ' Father ' is tlie favourite designation. It has been questioned, indeed, whether the title 'Father' lias tiie same significance in the Fourth Gospel as in the Synoptics. H. Holtzmann [Neutest. Theol. ii. 433 f . ) maintains that in the constantly recur- ring designation of God as ' the Father ' there is always either an express or a tacit reference to the Son. [For a full discussion of the use of the word ' Father ' in St. John, see Westcott, The Epistles of St. John, pp. 29-34]. But there are occasions on which we feel tliat the title is used in a manner Aviiicii suggests a reflexion on the love of God quite in tiie manner of the Synoptics, as when Clirist says to the disciples that whatever they shall ask the Father in His name He will give (1.5'^ 16-^), or when He tells them that He does not say thati He will pray the Fatlier for them, for tiie feather Himself loveth them (IG-^**'-)- -'^nd in any case the question of tiie significance attaching to the title ' Father ' in tiie Fourtli Gospel is of minor interest in our present inquiry, since that Gospel contains many express declarations of the love of God, the ab- sence of wliich makes the question of the signi- ficance of tliat title in the Synoptics matter of importance. Tiiese express references to the love of God in the Fourtli Gospel occur specially in connexion with that aspect of the Divine love which we proceed to consider under the following head.
2. The love of God for man as manifested in Christ. — The highest proof of the Father's love is given in the mission and Person of the Son. This aspect of tiie Divine love, which is emphasized in the Fourth Gospel, is not unknown in the Synoptics, though it is ratiier implied than expressed. If the love of the Fatlier is manifested in tiie bestowal of the Messianic Kingdom (Lk 12*^), that Kingdom which has been prepared for His children from the foundation of tlie world (Mt 2.5**), and which is now about to come with power (Mk 9^), then the send- ing of the Son (Mt 10^» 2^) to inaugurate the
Kingdom must in itself be an evidence of the love of God. All things are delivered unto the Son of the Father, and He alone can reveal the Father to man (iNIt 11-", Lk 10--). And this revelation is not confined to His preaching. It embraces the whole of His Messianic work. That work was from be- ginning to end animated by the spirit of love. He pointed to His works of healing as proof that tlie Messianic era had arrived CSlt IP 12-**). He de- scribed His daily work on one occasion as ' casting out devils and doing cures ' (Lk 13'^-). He called to all wiio laboured and were iieavy laden to come to Him and He would give them rest (Mt ll-**). As He had assured men of tlie forgiving love of God, so He declared that He came not to call the righteous but sinners (^Ik 2^^), and on occasion announced the forgiveness of their sins to those who approached Him (Mk 2^, Lk T'*^'-)- His whole ministry was one continual mission of love, culmin- ating ill tiie willing sacrifice of His own life as a ransom for many (Mk 10*^). If we look for the revelation which tlie Son gives of the Fatlier, not only to His preaching but to His Person and work, then we must admit that tliat revelation is one which confirms at every point the assurance of God's boundless love for man conveyed by the gracious title by which Ciirist designates Him.
But this aspect of tlie matter is not emphasized in the Synoptics as it is in tiie Fourtli Gospel. Here the mission of the only-begotten Son for tiie salvation of man is expressly cited as a proof of the vastness of the love of God (3^®^-); and wliat- ever question there may be as to the metaphysical relation suggested by that word 'only-begotten,' there can be none as to the depth of the love in- volved in the sacrifice of tiie Son .so designated. We may note not only tiie deptii but the wideness of the love here proclaimed. God gives His Son for tiie salvation of the world. Tiiis wider outlook in connexion with the work of Christ is characteristic of the Fourtli Gospel (0. Holtzmann, Johnnnes- evangellum, 49 f., 80 fl'.). Ciirist is the Saviour of the world (4'*^), the Lamb of God which taketli away the sin of the world (P^). He speaks to tlie world (8^), gives His flesh for the life of the world (651), :^^ tlie light of the world (9^ 12*5). Into this world burdened with sin (1-^) and animated ijy a spirit of hostility to Himself (12''i 17"), God in His infinite love has sent His Son for its deliverance (3"). Throughout the whole Gospel there is far more prominence given than in the Synoptics to the fact that Christ has been sent by the Father (537 716 gi6. 28 g^c. ). He repeatedly refers to Himself as Him whom the Father hath sent (5»8 Q^ \0^ H^). He is not come of Himself (7^), but is come in the name of His Father (5'*^) from whom He has come forth (8*2 162' 178). Not only does the Son, as in the Synoptics, claim to reveal the Father as none otlier. He asserts that He is in the Father and the Father in Him (W^ 14i"-2» \7^^-^). He and the Father are one (lO^^ 17-^). The words that He speaks iiave been given Him by His Father (7"''' 12-«»f. 1410- 24 178). The works that He does are the works of His Father who dwelleth in Him (14'"*. He that hath seen Him hath seen the Father (14*). As it is love that has insjiired tiie Fatlier in the mission of His Son, so it is love that is tiie animat- ing principle in the life of the Son who is one with tiie Father — love to the Father on the one lianil (14*1), j^jij \nvQ to His own in tiie world on tlie other (I31 151*). As the Father has loved Him, so He has loved His disciples (15*). He sets His love before them as an example, and bids them love one another as He has loved them (13^ W-). The hisriiest proof of His love is given in His death dOi' 15"). The Son lays down His life willingly in obedience to the commandment of the Father (10"'). For this the Father has given the Son (3i«