(phrase 1)

ou{twV ga;r hjgavphsen oJ qeo;V
to;n kovsmon,

ou{twV is an important word. We generally translate it as "so." "For God so loved the world. But when you hear that, what does "so" mean? You probably think it means "so much." Actually, that is not at all what it means. ou{twV means "in this manner." John 3:16 is really saying, "In this manner God loved: ;he gave his Son." The giving of Jesus was the way in which God loved the ;world. Talk about this in class. Aren't you glad you are learning Greek?
gavr means "for." It will never be the first word in a Greek sentence, but we generally translate it first. gavr show you that what follows (v 16) is the reason ("for") what he has just said (v 15). How would you say vv 15-16 in your own words, bringing out the connection between the two verses?
hjgavphsen means "he loved." It is in a past tense you have not yet learned.
You know what oJ qeo;V means. What case is it and why?
You also know what to;n kovsmon. What case is it and why?

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