John says, “Do Not Love the World” (v15), how does this fit with John 3 v16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son”?

In these verses there is a different meanings of ‘the World’. In John 3 v16 it speaks of the people of the world. That’s whom God so loved. Here in 1 John 2 v15 the world is the rebellious anti-God system and ways of this world. That is what we are to hate.

There is a different meaning of the word ‘love’. In John 3 v16 love speaks of God’s compassion for people. In 1 John 2 v15 the love the believer is not to have is a love that enjoys sinful activity.

The world is described (v16) as having the desires of the flesh. This is the fallen sinful nature and the pro-sin bias that lives within. The world also has the desires of the eyes. These appear to be more outward temptations that outwardly appear attractive but have no good value. The pride of life is boasting and seeing our worth in our achievements, status and possessions.

We need to be careful to pray for great discernment as the ways of the world which we are called to hate can be so deeply ingrained within us.