The expediency of Christ ' s departure . We shall elucidate the truths of the text by the following remarks. I. THAT THE MISSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE GREAT PLAN OF REDEMPTION . "The Comforter will not come," implying that his coming was essential to the carrying on of the good work in them and through them. 1. As the Divine Revealer . Christ revealed the Father; the Spirit was to reveal Christ. This revelation involves: 2.... read more
Absent in the body, present by the Spirit. I. THE NEED OF A STRONG ASSERTION . Jesus says, "I tell you the truth." Jesus never says anything but the truth, and yet we can see here clearly what need there was for the most solemn and emphatic mode of statement. For what an antecedent improbability there was that his absence could ever be better than his presence! For him to vanish from the natural sight of his disciples might well be reckoned the greatest of calamities, until... read more
(a) The threefold conviction of the world . The extraordinary fullness of suggestion in the following words, and the strong opinions entertained by different theological schools, render interpretation a difficult task. read more
(9) The promise of the Paraclete . read more
And he, when he is come ( ἐλθών ). A right royal assurance. The Holy Spirit will come, as my grace and the result of my sending. He will convict the world. Little doubt is now entertained that this ἔλεγχος implies the refutation of error, the discovery of wrong-doing, the bringing it home to the person convinced, and thus convicted ( John 3:20 ; John 8:9 , John 8:46 ; 1 Corinthians 14:24 ; Titus 1:9 ; James 2:9 ); making such a one see that he is open to the... read more
Conviction of sin. Looking forward to the dispensation of the Spirit, the Lord Jesus described by anticipation the work of the Spirit in the world. It cannot be overlooked that this work has been, and ever must be, connected with the publication of the gospel of salvation through the Divine Redeemer. It is not to be supposed that we exalt the office of the Spirit when we neglect or depreciate the Word with which and through which the Spirit acts. I. THE SIN OF WHICH THE ... read more
Conviction of righteousness. In order to moral improvement there must be a sense of sin and its degradation and misery, and there must be some apprehension of righteousness and holiness accompanied by both admiration and aspiration. It is an evidence of the divinely wise provision of the gospel of Christ, that there is secured for man, in the influences of the Spirit of God, not only a power which dissatisfies men with sin, but a power which impels men to righteousness. I. THERE IS ... read more
Conviction of judgment. It is usually said that the sin of which the Spirit convicts is the sin of the world; that the righteousness is that of Christ; and that the judgment is the judgment of Satan. In this last reference our Lord's language must be regarded as anticipatory. Satan's power was never so awfully evinced as in the condemnation and crucifixion of the Son of God; yet the hour of his apparent triumph was in reality the hour of his fall. Translated into ordinary language, this... read more
The convicting work of the Spirit. Here surely is the true and abiding blessing for those who labor to look under the surface, and see Jesus dealing with the deep, ancient, and malignant causes of all human trouble. Jesus came teaching, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. The blessing of his incarnate ministry was just as deep, just as shallow, as the recipient chose to make it. But when the incarnate Jesus departs to make... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:7
The advantages of Christ's departure. The world enjoyed many benefits by reason of Christ's presence: he healed the sick, and taught the ignorant, and was a kind, wise, and faithful Friend to all men. How much more were the disciples of Jesus indebted to that presence! His intimate friends owed their all, their very selves, to him, and could not look forward to losing him without dismay. "My Savior, can it ever be, That I should gain by losing thee?" Yet our Lord taught that it was... read more