If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
Jesus meant that without His coming and speaking they would not have borne the guilt of rejecting revealed truth, but having heard Him they were left with no covering, hiding or excuse for their sin. His coming gave clear light and knowledge that exposed wrongdoing, so that hearing and then rejecting Him made men culpable and accountable. Where no light has been given there is no condemnation on that account, but the greater the light and evidence God gives the greater the guilt if it is refused in disobedience. Men are judged by the light they receive in their own time, not by the example of their ancestors, and refusing conviction when truth stands clearly against error seals condemnation. Those who have seen the light, including the light on God's commandments and the Sabbath, are therefore left without cloak if they refuse to walk in it, for obedience is the test of all who are privileged with light.
Words and Setting
The words were spoken alone with the eleven disciples in the upper chamber after Judas had left the supper, as Jesus began to speak of His approaching separation from them. He first directed their thoughts to the great object of His mission, that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father's name. These sacred teachings were not fully understood at the time, but only after the resurrection, when the disciples repeated His words to strengthen one another through disappointment and trial.
The discourse on the vine and the branches was delivered to an audience that included people outside the faith, many of whom seemed deeply interested. It belongs to the farewell encouragement in John 14-16, and to the wider instruction in John 13-17. It was spoken because Jesus knew the terrible ordeal awaiting Himself and the trials that would come to His church, yet His thoughts were not of Himself but of comfort and consolation to strengthen faith and courage for severe trial so they would endure without failing. It was given to make known His purposes and plans and to strengthen the disciples for the trials and temptations ahead. It imparts courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and brings strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time shall last, and it is so simple that all, even children, may understand it.
These chapters show what God desires to do for the human race. They contain lessons of deep import that need to be studied and even committed to memory, with diligent searching of the Word and studying the meaning of every word. They contain an important lesson that should be read and obeyed, connected with choosing obedience to Christ rather than belonging to the world. They must be carefully studied and earnestly practiced by all who honor God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, for their duties, specified by the Substitute and Surety, cannot be lived in neglect, and doing them bears the divine credentials to the world that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The mind is to be kept as a storehouse of truth, with Thus saith the Lord and It is written ever on the lips to speak a word in season to the oppressed, sorrowful, and afflicted and to refresh all around like a garden whose waters fail not. The Holy Spirit can open blinded eyes to receive this instruction.
The chapter's lesson, pictured by the vine and its branches, is that people must receive Christ's life and depend on Him for spiritual life. They must let His word abide in them and shape their practical lives, with faith shown in obedience connected with eternal life. Whether His words abide is made visible by actions, for selfishness, love of money, and neglect of the needy show that His words do not abide in the heart. His mission instead is to bring good news and comfort to the poor and distressed, and His followers are to reflect that care. His words direct attention to Christ rather than to the faults of other people. They are lessons to be practiced and obeyed in co-working with Jesus Christ, requiring work to save the soul, opening the door and welcoming the confessing, pleading one back to the fold, and never closing the door of hope to her.
They had not had sin means they would not have had this particular guilt of rejecting revealed truth, not that they were sinless. Before receiving His words they did not have this guilt in the same accountable sense, but Christ's coming and speaking gave clear light and knowledge of truth. After hearing Him they were made accountable for the truth they heard. Now they have no cloak, or covering, for their sin, with no hiding, justification, or excuse for it.
Light Creates Accountability
Christ's coming and speaking gave clear light and knowledge of truth, and those who heard and then rejected him were left without excuse or covering for sin. His words revealed truth and exposed guilt and wrongdoing, so that rejection became culpable and accountable, taking away the cloak for sin. Without that revelation they would not have been accountable in the same way or had this guilt, but afterward they had no covering, hiding, or justification for their sin. That accountability brings responsibility to be brought into right relation to God by loving him, keeping his commandments, being happy in his love, making entire surrender, and searching the heart to see where business relations or any other line have worked counter to God's law. The rulers' opposition to the apostles' witness shows the continuing rejection of that testimony and the guilt it brings.
Where no light has been given there is no condemnation on that account, and people are not accountable for light that never came to them. Jesus, the light of the world, taught the true purpose of life and the principles of right living, directing people away from making property life's chief end and toward serving God, blessing others, and winning people to Christ. When light comes, rejecting it brings condemnation, as with the Sabbath where there was no sin in beginning it at the former time before light about its proper beginning was understood, but setting aside that light once it comes brings guilt and God's displeasure.
The greater the light and knowledge people receive, the greater their accountability if they refuse to respond. Guilt and condemnation are measured by the light and evidence God has given about his character and will, so the greater the light and evidence, the greater the guilt and condemnation if men do not love and obey him. Having received his words and light, they could no longer hide or justify their rejection.
Disregarding conviction and refusing the evidence increased guilt, for Christ's coming and teaching gave such clear light that rejecting him left no excuse for sin. Opposition despite convincing evidence showed the intensity of hatred of the truth, and the light rejected increased condemnation. Wherever truth is plainly brought to understanding and conscience, rejecting it increases guilt and seals condemnation, and when truth stands clearly against error its rejection leaves without excuse. The appeal through Luther was a final call from God, and refusal of that light ended the day of mercy.
People are judged by the light they receive, including additional light given in their own time, not merely by the customs or example of their ancestors. The same principle applies when God sends additional light through his Word, making those who knowingly reject it accountable for light offered to them, including truth handed down from earlier generations and further truth shining in their own time. Truth constantly unfolds as people search the Scriptures and advance step by step with Jesus who is the Light of the world, and to be accepted as the fathers were, people must be faithful in improving the clearer light now shining as the fathers would have done if they lived now.
The same principle applies when divine truth is clearly presented and the Spirit makes a final appeal, and a person who refuses received light has no cloak for that refusal. Through Luther God's truth and Spirit made a final appeal to the emperor and princes, and Charles V rejected that light through worldly pride and policy, as Pilate, Felix, and Agrippa had turned away from truth. Rejecting truth out of pride or worldly policy does not remove responsibility, and deliberate rejection cannot be excused by inherited custom or by saying earlier generations lacked the same light.
Hatred Toward Christ
Jesus embodied goodness, truth, righteousness and strict integrity, living in human nature a life unmarred by spot or stain of sin and hating sin of every kind with His whole being. He did works of mercy and works perfect with the Father, and His purity and goodness differed from those around Him. That purity was a constant rebuke and reproach to the proud, sensual generation then living, provoking hatred that in the end crucified Him. Fallen angels hate Him for His purity and credit Him with expelling them from heaven, and on earth false speech against Him arose from that hatred. He came and spoke and worked to set before people a privileged standard, that humanity might grasp divinity and divinity might lift humanity to become one with Him and with God.
He was hated without any cause whatever, though pure and doing good, treated as a criminal and condemned without evidence. The dislike and hatred came because His works were perfect with the Father. Opposition despite convincing evidence showed the intensity of hatred of the truth, and the light rejected increased condemnation. His coming and words brought clear light that revealed truth, exposed guilt and responsibility, and left those who rejected Him without excuse or covering for sin. The scribes and Pharisees had also heard John's testimony, yet pride and unbelief turned their response into envy and hatred of Christ. His works of mercy exposed their pride, selfishness and evil, and they rejected the evidence of His mission rather than acknowledge His goodness.
Rejecting the Son meant hating the Father also, revealing opposition to Him and to His Father. Christ and the Father are so closely united that as men treat Christ so they treat the Father. Opposition to Christ and His followers comes from not knowing the Father who sent Jesus. Guilt and condemnation are measured by the light and evidence God has given about His character and will, so the greater the light and evidence the greater the guilt if men do not love and obey Him. Those who show Christ's character can likewise be hated, because they refuse to join others' schemes and live by principles that rebuke them. His coming and speaking left those who rejected His message without excuse, the light received making responsibility plain, and His followers should expect persecution and similar hatred for loyalty and obedience to God's commandments as the world hated Him.
Sabbath Light Tested
Those who lived faithfully according to all the light shining on their pathway, including devoted believers in past generations who kept Sunday and those who died without observing the seventh-day Sabbath, stand without demerit and will not be lost, because no one is accountable or condemned for light that never came to them. There was no sin in beginning the Sabbath at the former time before its proper beginning was understood, but once that light comes, setting it aside brings guilt and displeasure and leaves rejection without excuse. Truth is constantly unfolding as people search the Scriptures and advance step by step with Jesus as the Light of the world, giving the present generation greater and clearer light, including on the binding fourth commandment and the proper beginning of the Sabbath. To be accepted as the fathers were, people must faithfully improve the clearer light now shining on their pathway, just as the fathers would have done had they lived now.
When Christ has come and spoken and brought the words of truth, ignorance can no longer be claimed as excuse, and people are judged according to the light they receive. One who has received light about the Sabbath from God's Word and knowingly refuses it is left accountable for sin with no covering or excuse, and forfeits salvation, for no one can be saved while deliberately transgressing God's law and trampling the Sabbath He sanctified, any more than a thief, murderer, or adulterer could be saved in transgression. While those who reject after receiving such light are accountable, those who have never received that light are not held accountable for it.
Once Sabbath light is seen, no plea provides a cloak: not appeals to God's mercy or mercifulness, not liberty in prayer, not keeping one day in seven, not doing as the world does, not going with the crowd, not enjoying religion, not trusting that Sabbath-breaking harms no fellow man, and not pointing to the disobedience of professedly great and good men in past generations. It is folly to excuse breaking God's law because good men in past generations did not keep it, for their disobedience gives no reason to transgress, and people are accountable for the light shining in their own day. It is never safe to be indifferent to light, for condemnation is that light has come into the world and men choose darkness rather than light, loving darkness because their deeds are evil. Those who will not walk in the light take the place of the Jews who had light that Christ was the Messiah yet rejected Him because He came in humiliation and would not come to Him for life.
Calls to Obedience
When truth was presented through Luther, God made a final appeal by His truth and Spirit to the emperor and princes, and Charles V received light. To reject that light from worldly pride and policy, as Pilate and Felix and Agrippa had turned away from truth, was to be left without a cloak for sin. For the emperor, refusal of that light ended the day of mercy, and when truth stands clearly against error its rejection seals condemnation. The same accountability continued afterward, for the rulers' opposition to the apostles' witness to Jesus was continuing rejection of His testimony and the guilt it brings.
Accountability for light brings responsibility to be brought into right relation to God by loving Him and keeping His commandments, being happy in His love, making entire surrender, and searching the heart to see where business relations or any other line have worked counter to God's law. Obedience to God's commandments is the test for those privileged with light, and Christ's love is shown by keeping them. Jesus came and spoke and worked to set before people a standard it was their privilege to reach, that humanity might grasp divinity and divinity lift humanity to become one with Jesus and one with God. To resist the influence of His Holy Spirit is to refuse to come up to that privileged standard, while the privilege made possible is to take hold of the divine nature and partake of it, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust.
Knowing God's word while refusing to obey leaves a person without excuse. Yet a sinner who recognizes sin as corrupting the whole person, with no cloak for it, is alarmed at the danger of separation from heaven and seeks healing from Christ. The words of John 15:19-27 are to impress the mind, lead to examination of the chapter, and move to seeking God's converting power, belonging to a call to conversion from sin and evil, to obedience, and to receiving and reflecting heaven's light. Telling the truth and giving reproof can therefore be necessary for salvation even when unwelcome, because the message brings light that makes rejection accountable so guilt can no longer be hidden.
The verse states God's will for those acquainted with present truth and shows the philosophy of genuine missionary work. That work requires reconversion, watchful prayer, and understanding belief that God means just what He says, to be believed faithfully in every detail and lived out before fellow ministers. It calls for overcoming lack of love and lack of resignation to bear any cross or difficulty, for sacred union with God in which His salvation is seen in a remarkable manner. It points to the great work Jesus must do for His people before they stand in review at the Judgment, and therefore urges immediate humbling of soul before God, confession where wrong has been done, and letting light shine because the Lord is working. The words of this discourse are needed by all and explain how to receive His grace, and those who refuse the conditions He lays down will be found unworthy when He comes in glory.
Jesus meant that without His coming and speaking they would not have borne the guilt of rejecting revealed truth, but having heard Him they were left with no covering, hiding or excuse for their sin. His coming gave clear light and knowledge that exposed wrongdoing, so that hearing and then rejecting Him made men culpable and accountable. Where no light has been given there is no condemnation on that account, but the greater the light and evidence God gives the greater the guilt if it is refused in disobedience. Men are judged by the light they receive in their own time, not by the example of their ancestors, and refusing conviction when truth stands clearly against error seals condemnation. Those who have seen the light, including the light on God's commandments and the Sabbath, are therefore left without cloak if they refuse to walk in it, for obedience is the test of all who are privileged with light.
Words and Setting
The words were spoken alone with the eleven disciples in the upper chamber after Judas had left the supper, as Jesus began to speak of His approaching separation from them. He first directed their thoughts to the great object of His mission, that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father's name. These sacred teachings were not fully understood at the time, but only after the resurrection, when the disciples repeated His words to strengthen one another through disappointment and trial.
The discourse on the vine and the branches was delivered to an audience that included people outside the faith, many of whom seemed deeply interested. It belongs to the farewell encouragement in John 14-16, and to the wider instruction in John 13-17. It was spoken because Jesus knew the terrible ordeal awaiting Himself and the trials that would come to His church, yet His thoughts were not of Himself but of comfort and consolation to strengthen faith and courage for severe trial so they would endure without failing. It was given to make known His purposes and plans and to strengthen the disciples for the trials and temptations ahead. It imparts courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and brings strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time shall last, and it is so simple that all, even children, may understand it.
These chapters show what God desires to do for the human race. They contain lessons of deep import that need to be studied and even committed to memory, with diligent searching of the Word and studying the meaning of every word. They contain an important lesson that should be read and obeyed, connected with choosing obedience to Christ rather than belonging to the world. They must be carefully studied and earnestly practiced by all who honor God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, for their duties, specified by the Substitute and Surety, cannot be lived in neglect, and doing them bears the divine credentials to the world that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The mind is to be kept as a storehouse of truth, with Thus saith the Lord and It is written ever on the lips to speak a word in season to the oppressed, sorrowful, and afflicted and to refresh all around like a garden whose waters fail not. The Holy Spirit can open blinded eyes to receive this instruction.
The chapter's lesson, pictured by the vine and its branches, is that people must receive Christ's life and depend on Him for spiritual life. They must let His word abide in them and shape their practical lives, with faith shown in obedience connected with eternal life. Whether His words abide is made visible by actions, for selfishness, love of money, and neglect of the needy show that His words do not abide in the heart. His mission instead is to bring good news and comfort to the poor and distressed, and His followers are to reflect that care. His words direct attention to Christ rather than to the faults of other people. They are lessons to be practiced and obeyed in co-working with Jesus Christ, requiring work to save the soul, opening the door and welcoming the confessing, pleading one back to the fold, and never closing the door of hope to her.
They had not had sin means they would not have had this particular guilt of rejecting revealed truth, not that they were sinless. Before receiving His words they did not have this guilt in the same accountable sense, but Christ's coming and speaking gave clear light and knowledge of truth. After hearing Him they were made accountable for the truth they heard. Now they have no cloak, or covering, for their sin, with no hiding, justification, or excuse for it.
Light Creates Accountability
Christ's coming and speaking gave clear light and knowledge of truth, and those who heard and then rejected him were left without excuse or covering for sin. His words revealed truth and exposed guilt and wrongdoing, so that rejection became culpable and accountable, taking away the cloak for sin. Without that revelation they would not have been accountable in the same way or had this guilt, but afterward they had no covering, hiding, or justification for their sin. That accountability brings responsibility to be brought into right relation to God by loving him, keeping his commandments, being happy in his love, making entire surrender, and searching the heart to see where business relations or any other line have worked counter to God's law. The rulers' opposition to the apostles' witness shows the continuing rejection of that testimony and the guilt it brings.
Where no light has been given there is no condemnation on that account, and people are not accountable for light that never came to them. Jesus, the light of the world, taught the true purpose of life and the principles of right living, directing people away from making property life's chief end and toward serving God, blessing others, and winning people to Christ. When light comes, rejecting it brings condemnation, as with the Sabbath where there was no sin in beginning it at the former time before light about its proper beginning was understood, but setting aside that light once it comes brings guilt and God's displeasure.
The greater the light and knowledge people receive, the greater their accountability if they refuse to respond. Guilt and condemnation are measured by the light and evidence God has given about his character and will, so the greater the light and evidence, the greater the guilt and condemnation if men do not love and obey him. Having received his words and light, they could no longer hide or justify their rejection.
Disregarding conviction and refusing the evidence increased guilt, for Christ's coming and teaching gave such clear light that rejecting him left no excuse for sin. Opposition despite convincing evidence showed the intensity of hatred of the truth, and the light rejected increased condemnation. Wherever truth is plainly brought to understanding and conscience, rejecting it increases guilt and seals condemnation, and when truth stands clearly against error its rejection leaves without excuse. The appeal through Luther was a final call from God, and refusal of that light ended the day of mercy.
People are judged by the light they receive, including additional light given in their own time, not merely by the customs or example of their ancestors. The same principle applies when God sends additional light through his Word, making those who knowingly reject it accountable for light offered to them, including truth handed down from earlier generations and further truth shining in their own time. Truth constantly unfolds as people search the Scriptures and advance step by step with Jesus who is the Light of the world, and to be accepted as the fathers were, people must be faithful in improving the clearer light now shining as the fathers would have done if they lived now.
The same principle applies when divine truth is clearly presented and the Spirit makes a final appeal, and a person who refuses received light has no cloak for that refusal. Through Luther God's truth and Spirit made a final appeal to the emperor and princes, and Charles V rejected that light through worldly pride and policy, as Pilate, Felix, and Agrippa had turned away from truth. Rejecting truth out of pride or worldly policy does not remove responsibility, and deliberate rejection cannot be excused by inherited custom or by saying earlier generations lacked the same light.
Hatred Toward Christ
Jesus embodied goodness, truth, righteousness and strict integrity, living in human nature a life unmarred by spot or stain of sin and hating sin of every kind with His whole being. He did works of mercy and works perfect with the Father, and His purity and goodness differed from those around Him. That purity was a constant rebuke and reproach to the proud, sensual generation then living, provoking hatred that in the end crucified Him. Fallen angels hate Him for His purity and credit Him with expelling them from heaven, and on earth false speech against Him arose from that hatred. He came and spoke and worked to set before people a privileged standard, that humanity might grasp divinity and divinity might lift humanity to become one with Him and with God.
He was hated without any cause whatever, though pure and doing good, treated as a criminal and condemned without evidence. The dislike and hatred came because His works were perfect with the Father. Opposition despite convincing evidence showed the intensity of hatred of the truth, and the light rejected increased condemnation. His coming and words brought clear light that revealed truth, exposed guilt and responsibility, and left those who rejected Him without excuse or covering for sin. The scribes and Pharisees had also heard John's testimony, yet pride and unbelief turned their response into envy and hatred of Christ. His works of mercy exposed their pride, selfishness and evil, and they rejected the evidence of His mission rather than acknowledge His goodness.
Rejecting the Son meant hating the Father also, revealing opposition to Him and to His Father. Christ and the Father are so closely united that as men treat Christ so they treat the Father. Opposition to Christ and His followers comes from not knowing the Father who sent Jesus. Guilt and condemnation are measured by the light and evidence God has given about His character and will, so the greater the light and evidence the greater the guilt if men do not love and obey Him. Those who show Christ's character can likewise be hated, because they refuse to join others' schemes and live by principles that rebuke them. His coming and speaking left those who rejected His message without excuse, the light received making responsibility plain, and His followers should expect persecution and similar hatred for loyalty and obedience to God's commandments as the world hated Him.
Sabbath Light Tested
Those who lived faithfully according to all the light shining on their pathway, including devoted believers in past generations who kept Sunday and those who died without observing the seventh-day Sabbath, stand without demerit and will not be lost, because no one is accountable or condemned for light that never came to them.
There was no sin in beginning the Sabbath at the former time before its proper beginning was understood, but once that light comes, setting it aside brings guilt and displeasure and leaves rejection without excuse.
Truth is constantly unfolding as people search the Scriptures and advance step by step with Jesus as the Light of the world, giving the present generation greater and clearer light, including on the binding fourth commandment and the proper beginning of the Sabbath.
To be accepted as the fathers were, people must faithfully improve the clearer light now shining on their pathway, just as the fathers would have done had they lived now.
When Christ has come and spoken and brought the words of truth, ignorance can no longer be claimed as excuse, and people are judged according to the light they receive.
One who has received light about the Sabbath from God's Word and knowingly refuses it is left accountable for sin with no covering or excuse, and forfeits salvation, for no one can be saved while deliberately transgressing God's law and trampling the Sabbath He sanctified, any more than a thief, murderer, or adulterer could be saved in transgression.
While those who reject after receiving such light are accountable, those who have never received that light are not held accountable for it.
Once Sabbath light is seen, no plea provides a cloak: not appeals to God's mercy or mercifulness, not liberty in prayer, not keeping one day in seven, not doing as the world does, not going with the crowd, not enjoying religion, not trusting that Sabbath-breaking harms no fellow man, and not pointing to the disobedience of professedly great and good men in past generations.
It is folly to excuse breaking God's law because good men in past generations did not keep it, for their disobedience gives no reason to transgress, and people are accountable for the light shining in their own day.
It is never safe to be indifferent to light, for condemnation is that light has come into the world and men choose darkness rather than light, loving darkness because their deeds are evil.
Those who will not walk in the light take the place of the Jews who had light that Christ was the Messiah yet rejected Him because He came in humiliation and would not come to Him for life.
Calls to Obedience
When truth was presented through Luther, God made a final appeal by His truth and Spirit to the emperor and princes, and Charles V received light. To reject that light from worldly pride and policy, as Pilate and Felix and Agrippa had turned away from truth, was to be left without a cloak for sin. For the emperor, refusal of that light ended the day of mercy, and when truth stands clearly against error its rejection seals condemnation. The same accountability continued afterward, for the rulers' opposition to the apostles' witness to Jesus was continuing rejection of His testimony and the guilt it brings.
Accountability for light brings responsibility to be brought into right relation to God by loving Him and keeping His commandments, being happy in His love, making entire surrender, and searching the heart to see where business relations or any other line have worked counter to God's law. Obedience to God's commandments is the test for those privileged with light, and Christ's love is shown by keeping them. Jesus came and spoke and worked to set before people a standard it was their privilege to reach, that humanity might grasp divinity and divinity lift humanity to become one with Jesus and one with God. To resist the influence of His Holy Spirit is to refuse to come up to that privileged standard, while the privilege made possible is to take hold of the divine nature and partake of it, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust.
Knowing God's word while refusing to obey leaves a person without excuse. Yet a sinner who recognizes sin as corrupting the whole person, with no cloak for it, is alarmed at the danger of separation from heaven and seeks healing from Christ. The words of John 15:19-27 are to impress the mind, lead to examination of the chapter, and move to seeking God's converting power, belonging to a call to conversion from sin and evil, to obedience, and to receiving and reflecting heaven's light. Telling the truth and giving reproof can therefore be necessary for salvation even when unwelcome, because the message brings light that makes rejection accountable so guilt can no longer be hidden.
The verse states God's will for those acquainted with present truth and shows the philosophy of genuine missionary work. That work requires reconversion, watchful prayer, and understanding belief that God means just what He says, to be believed faithfully in every detail and lived out before fellow ministers. It calls for overcoming lack of love and lack of resignation to bear any cross or difficulty, for sacred union with God in which His salvation is seen in a remarkable manner. It points to the great work Jesus must do for His people before they stand in review at the Judgment, and therefore urges immediate humbling of soul before God, confession where wrong has been done, and letting light shine because the Lord is working. The words of this discourse are needed by all and explain how to receive His grace, and those who refuse the conditions He lays down will be found unworthy when He comes in glory.