 If God has determined to save the world through him, verse 17, then the world through him will be saved. The question about John 3.16 and 17 is not whether or not the world is going to be saved. The question is whether or not you will be a part of it when it is. This is not speaking of every person without exception. There are many who perish. We know that. The world will be saved through the salvation of God's elect. Sam Waldron said this, if God sent the Son to save the world, then I assume that the world will be saved, just not everyone in it.