(b) The power of the Paraclete on the disciples themselves . From the twelfth to the fifteenth verse the relation of the Paraclete to the disciples themselves makes yet more evident the expediency of the glorification of the Son of man, and demonstrates the authority of the apostolic teaching. read more
The Spirit's office is not confined to the convection of the world. It has relation to the needs of the Church as well as the world. I. OUR LORD 'S CONSIDERATION FOR THE SPIRITUAL INCAPACITY OF HIS DISCIPLES . "I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now." 1. He had already told them many things which they could hardly understand . The communications of his truth were the marks of his loving confidence ( John 15:15 ). 2. Other... read more
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come. This points to the definite promise already made (conditioned by his own departure, and so rendering that departure "expedient") when the Spirit of truth is come, having been sent by me from the Father. He will be your Guide into the truth in all its parts . £ As Godet says, "The reading εἰς suits ὁδηγήσει better than ἐν ." A most glorious promise this, for as days of darkness and perplexity draw on, fresh needs will arise. The... read more
How to get at the fullness of truth. Jesus said, "I am the Truth." Hence it is just the thing to be expected that he should talk again and again concerning the blessing to men which is so bound up with his being. The truth as it is in Jesus must become truth in us. What glorious aims he has with respect to his friends! He wants us to master the whole truth of what every human being ought to experience. We cannot look ahead to the fullness, but Jesus can. He sees the end toward which we are... read more
The guidance of the Spirit. In the preceding verses our Lord has described the work of the Spirit in reference to the world; he here very fully, though succinctly, declares what is the work of the Spirit on behalf of the Church. I. IT IS NOT THE OFFICE OF THE SPIRIT TO ORIGINATE AND EMBODY TRUTH . This is an error into which Christians of different Churches and different tendencies have fallen—an error sometimes designated "mysticism." Good men have often... read more
He shall glorify me . Christ has spoken of being straightway glorified, lifted into the fullness of the Godhead, glorified in God himself ( John 13:32 ). This statement is partly explanatory of that, but is also an addition to the previous assurance. The Spirit will glorify the God-Man, will augment the luster of his blessed Name, will crown him with honor, and multiply the mirrors of his majesty and the subjects of his power; and the reason is given: For he shall take of mine, and (for... read more
The Christ glorified by the Spirit. "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." Thus our Lord sums up the work of the Holy Spirit within the Church. He had just said that the Comforter is not to come as it were on an isolated and independent mission. "He shall not speak of himself." For, though he is another Comforter, he is not a second Mediator between God and man. He is not a second Redeemer, Prophet, Priest, and King. No; there is but one Name under... read more
In this verse our Lord makes a still more superlative claim. All things which the Father hath ( ὅσα ἔχει ) are mine . Perhaps no sentence recorded by St. John is more difficult to reconcile with the mere humanity of our Lord, even of the loftiest kind. The "mine" of the previous verse is declared to embrace something more than the mystery of his Person and sacrifice. "All that the Father hath," all his fullness of being, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, all the power, all... read more
The Spirit of truth - So called because he would teach them all necessary truth.Will guide you into all truth - That is, truth which pertained to the establishment of the Christian system, which they were not then prepared to hear. We may here remark that this is a full promise that they would be inspired and guided in founding the new church; and we may observe that the plan of the Saviour was replete with wisdom. Though they had been long with him, yet they were not prepared then to hear of... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:7-33
(9) The promise of the Paraclete . read more