For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

OSB Note

The verb ēgapēsen (ἠγάπησεν, "loved") is aorist, pointing to the definitive act of the Incarnation and Crucifixion. Monogenē (μονογενῆ, "only begotten") affirms the Son's unique eternal generation from the Father — not a created being but consubstantial with the Father (cf. Nicene Creed). Salvation here is not merely forensic pardon but entrance into eternal life (zōēn aiōnion), which the Fathers understand as communion with the Holy Trinity.