Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
The ruler of this world is Satan, and his being judged means his defeat, condemnation and expulsion through the redeeming work crowned at the death on the cross. What looked like his apparent victory ended in triumph over him, sounding the end of his empire and bringing freedom to those held under his power, with that triumph proclaimed in heaven and throughout the universe. Though spoken before the cross, the judgment is stated as already accomplished because the plan of redemption was viewed as completed, making final deliverance sure. The Comforter was sent to reprove and convict the world concerning this judgment, as one part of the threefold work concerning sin for unbelief, righteousness shown by going to the Father, and judgment grounded in the condemnation of the ruler. That convicting work on heart and conscience is full of encouragement, strength, comfort and peace for believers in conflict and trial, awakening guilt and drawing all who will be drawn to look to Jesus, forsake sin and be converted.
Context and Meaning
These words were spoken in the upper room on the night before death as part of the farewell teaching in John 14-16, also counted with John 14-17. They were spoken while facing the cross, betrayal, scourging and death, when the disciples could not yet bear all that was to be told them. They did not fully understand until after the resurrection, when they repeated the words to strengthen one another in disappointment, sorrow and trial.
The verse belongs to plain words about the difficulties, conflicts, manifold afflictions, trials and temptation to lose faith the disciples would meet from the world. They were spoken by one who knew every phase of their coming experience and conflict, mingling the dark outlook with bright hopeful lines of the future.
The prince of this world is Satan, the ruler of this world, who stands condemned. His judgment means his defeat and condemnation through the final conflict and victory of the work of redemption, especially the death on the cross. What looked like failure and apparent victory for Satan ended in triumph. His death sounded the knell of Satan's empire and brought his expulsion, with freedom to those held under his power. The triumph was proclaimed in heaven and throughout the universe.
Although spoken before the cross, the judgment is stated as already accomplished because the plan of redemption was viewed as completed, making final deliverance of humanity sure. The prince was judged by God and the angelic family. Satan had claimed the world as his possession because he had caused humanity's fall, and tried to make Christ acknowledge his supremacy, but his claim did not stand against Christ. The verse belongs to the continuing conflict that began after the fall, in which Satan worked to block divine love and people crucified Christ, yet those efforts could not destroy him or frustrate the saving work.
Spirit Convicts of Judgment
It was necessary for Christ to go away so that He could send the Comforter, Guide and representative, and His departure and the Comforter's coming would not leave the disciples helpless but would bring conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment. Aid and guidance in that work are to be sought from Christ and not from people. Christ's death purchased the Spirit's agency, which brings condemnation to the world in the continuing conflict begun after the fall. The reproving of judgment because the prince of this world is judged is the clear, decided testimony to be borne in behalf of righteousness and truth.
The Comforter so sent is the crowning gift to the church after the ascension to take Christ's place, the soul of His life, the efficacy of the church, and the light and life of the world. With His Spirit Christ sends a reconciling influence and a power to take away sin. The Spirit is the constant, active agent who makes the saving work effective in people, convincing of sin and presenting righteousness, while how the prince of this world is judged is not further explained. God's people must enlarge their expectations to grasp the highest conception of excellence, appreciate the gift, be careful not to resist its working, and seek its fullness.
The work of the Comforter is to reprove, convict, expose and testify to the world concerning judgment because the prince of this world is judged, has been judged and stands condemned. That testimony is clear, decided and unwavering. Its work is not to praise, flatter or exalt.
Reproof of judgment is one part of the threefold work of reproving the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. Sin is for unbelief in Christ, righteousness is shown by Christ going to the Father to be seen no more, and judgment is grounded in the condemnation of the ruler of this world, including conviction of a judgment to come. The Spirit who does this guides into all truth, speaking not from Himself but what He hears and revealing things to come.
This convincing work of the Spirit of truth is done upon the human agent on the heart and conscience, bringing living conviction of what is truth. It makes the preached Word effectual in the constant conflict between the powers of darkness and the heavenly forces. The Holy Spirit operates only through the channel of truth, and this divine agency working constantly is indispensable as a transforming power unto the saving of the soul, with God alone imparting it, opening the heart to receive the Word and producing its effect through the medium of truth, and with faith as the gift of God.
This conviction comes through believers yet does not force people; it awakens the conscience through the contrast between truth and error. It brings regret for past guilt, continued darkness, dishonoring God, breaking His law and refusing Christ as personal Saviour, and leads people to seek how they may be saved. The Spirit's work includes both reproof for sin and encouragement to those who forsake sin and are converted. Because many are blind to the real forces working in the world, the power of the Holy Spirit touches hearts with life so they respond to God, drawing all who will be drawn to look to Jesus the Sun of Righteousness for peace and happiness, to see light in His light, to give the heart to God who gave His life for it and to appreciate the value of the soul, convincing them that the commandments of God are a question of life and death.
Encouragement and Faithful Response
The words belong to the encouragement Christ gave in John 14-16 because He knew the trials His church would face, and they are full of encouragement and hope, giving courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and bringing strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time shall last. They were spoken not with thought of His own coming betrayal, scourging and death, but to comfort the disciples and to strengthen their faith and courage to endure without failing when severely tried. They are simple enough for even children to understand, and they gave comfort, peace and hope to believers facing sorrow and trial after they were more fully understood following the resurrection. They stand among John 14-17 as of highest value for every soul consecrating life to the service of God, and comprehending the office of the Holy Spirit set forth there brings all blessings and makes complete in Christ. For that reason the theme of encouragement found there is to be kept before the people and presented in every discourse.
Taken with those surrounding chapters showing what God desires to do for the human race and the provision He has made for it, the verse points to the coming of the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost to open eyes now blinded so that the scales fall from them. The plain will of God expressed in John 6 and John 13-17 centers on living the prayer Christ offered to the Father just before His betrayal and crucifixion. Satan the enemy makes most determined efforts to ensnare and attack all who would be strong co-workers with Christ, but unity and love worked out in practical life become an impregnable wall withstanding his assaults. Dissension and each seeking the highest place bring weakness instead of strength, and only those who live that prayer will stand the test in the shaking time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken.
The Holy Spirit reproves concerning judgment because the prince of this world has been judged, working on the heart and conscience to bring conviction. Those who speak or write the truths of God must have this endowment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or they will make great mistakes. Without it they fall into judging brethren and defining their sin, when no person has been put on the judgment seat to judge a brother. This reproving is a clear, decided testimony to be borne in behalf of righteousness and truth.
The receiver is given the mind of Christ and made a faithful worker for the Lord, bringing self into subjection, repressing evil inclination, refusing false ways and excuses for faults, and cutting away evil in faith and prayer. Christ is present to help in every true purpose and in the battle with the enemy and to give rest to all who labor and are heavy laden. By these words Christ sought to uplift thought and enlarge expectation to grasp the highest conception of excellence, for after His ascension He would send to His church as His crowning gift the Comforter to take His place, the soul of His life, the efficacy of His church, and the light and life of the world, sending with His Spirit a reconciling influence and a power to take away sin. God's people must be very careful not to resist this working, must appreciate the value of the wonderful gift bestowed, must enlarge their expectations, and must seek for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. That convicting work, by which the Spirit makes the preached Word effectual in the constant conflict between the powers of darkness and the heavenly forces and convicts souls as to what is truth, is to be sought by prayer, by asking believers before preaching to pray for the Spirit's work and by calling for prayers of faith for others.
The ruler of this world is Satan, and his being judged means his defeat, condemnation and expulsion through the redeeming work crowned at the death on the cross. What looked like his apparent victory ended in triumph over him, sounding the end of his empire and bringing freedom to those held under his power, with that triumph proclaimed in heaven and throughout the universe. Though spoken before the cross, the judgment is stated as already accomplished because the plan of redemption was viewed as completed, making final deliverance sure. The Comforter was sent to reprove and convict the world concerning this judgment, as one part of the threefold work concerning sin for unbelief, righteousness shown by going to the Father, and judgment grounded in the condemnation of the ruler. That convicting work on heart and conscience is full of encouragement, strength, comfort and peace for believers in conflict and trial, awakening guilt and drawing all who will be drawn to look to Jesus, forsake sin and be converted.
Context and Meaning
These words were spoken in the upper room on the night before death as part of the farewell teaching in John 14-16, also counted with John 14-17. They were spoken while facing the cross, betrayal, scourging and death, when the disciples could not yet bear all that was to be told them. They did not fully understand until after the resurrection, when they repeated the words to strengthen one another in disappointment, sorrow and trial.
The verse belongs to plain words about the difficulties, conflicts, manifold afflictions, trials and temptation to lose faith the disciples would meet from the world. They were spoken by one who knew every phase of their coming experience and conflict, mingling the dark outlook with bright hopeful lines of the future.
The prince of this world is Satan, the ruler of this world, who stands condemned. His judgment means his defeat and condemnation through the final conflict and victory of the work of redemption, especially the death on the cross. What looked like failure and apparent victory for Satan ended in triumph. His death sounded the knell of Satan's empire and brought his expulsion, with freedom to those held under his power. The triumph was proclaimed in heaven and throughout the universe.
Although spoken before the cross, the judgment is stated as already accomplished because the plan of redemption was viewed as completed, making final deliverance of humanity sure. The prince was judged by God and the angelic family. Satan had claimed the world as his possession because he had caused humanity's fall, and tried to make Christ acknowledge his supremacy, but his claim did not stand against Christ. The verse belongs to the continuing conflict that began after the fall, in which Satan worked to block divine love and people crucified Christ, yet those efforts could not destroy him or frustrate the saving work.
Spirit Convicts of Judgment
It was necessary for Christ to go away so that He could send the Comforter, Guide and representative, and His departure and the Comforter's coming would not leave the disciples helpless but would bring conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment. Aid and guidance in that work are to be sought from Christ and not from people. Christ's death purchased the Spirit's agency, which brings condemnation to the world in the continuing conflict begun after the fall. The reproving of judgment because the prince of this world is judged is the clear, decided testimony to be borne in behalf of righteousness and truth.
The Comforter so sent is the crowning gift to the church after the ascension to take Christ's place, the soul of His life, the efficacy of the church, and the light and life of the world. With His Spirit Christ sends a reconciling influence and a power to take away sin. The Spirit is the constant, active agent who makes the saving work effective in people, convincing of sin and presenting righteousness, while how the prince of this world is judged is not further explained. God's people must enlarge their expectations to grasp the highest conception of excellence, appreciate the gift, be careful not to resist its working, and seek its fullness.
The work of the Comforter is to reprove, convict, expose and testify to the world concerning judgment because the prince of this world is judged, has been judged and stands condemned. That testimony is clear, decided and unwavering. Its work is not to praise, flatter or exalt.
Reproof of judgment is one part of the threefold work of reproving the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. Sin is for unbelief in Christ, righteousness is shown by Christ going to the Father to be seen no more, and judgment is grounded in the condemnation of the ruler of this world, including conviction of a judgment to come. The Spirit who does this guides into all truth, speaking not from Himself but what He hears and revealing things to come.
This convincing work of the Spirit of truth is done upon the human agent on the heart and conscience, bringing living conviction of what is truth. It makes the preached Word effectual in the constant conflict between the powers of darkness and the heavenly forces. The Holy Spirit operates only through the channel of truth, and this divine agency working constantly is indispensable as a transforming power unto the saving of the soul, with God alone imparting it, opening the heart to receive the Word and producing its effect through the medium of truth, and with faith as the gift of God.
This conviction comes through believers yet does not force people; it awakens the conscience through the contrast between truth and error. It brings regret for past guilt, continued darkness, dishonoring God, breaking His law and refusing Christ as personal Saviour, and leads people to seek how they may be saved. The Spirit's work includes both reproof for sin and encouragement to those who forsake sin and are converted. Because many are blind to the real forces working in the world, the power of the Holy Spirit touches hearts with life so they respond to God, drawing all who will be drawn to look to Jesus the Sun of Righteousness for peace and happiness, to see light in His light, to give the heart to God who gave His life for it and to appreciate the value of the soul, convincing them that the commandments of God are a question of life and death.
Encouragement and Faithful Response
The words belong to the encouragement Christ gave in John 14-16 because He knew the trials His church would face, and they are full of encouragement and hope, giving courage to stand fast in the most trying hour and bringing strength and assurance to the true believer as long as time shall last. They were spoken not with thought of His own coming betrayal, scourging and death, but to comfort the disciples and to strengthen their faith and courage to endure without failing when severely tried. They are simple enough for even children to understand, and they gave comfort, peace and hope to believers facing sorrow and trial after they were more fully understood following the resurrection. They stand among John 14-17 as of highest value for every soul consecrating life to the service of God, and comprehending the office of the Holy Spirit set forth there brings all blessings and makes complete in Christ. For that reason the theme of encouragement found there is to be kept before the people and presented in every discourse.
Taken with those surrounding chapters showing what God desires to do for the human race and the provision He has made for it, the verse points to the coming of the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost to open eyes now blinded so that the scales fall from them. The plain will of God expressed in John 6 and John 13-17 centers on living the prayer Christ offered to the Father just before His betrayal and crucifixion. Satan the enemy makes most determined efforts to ensnare and attack all who would be strong co-workers with Christ, but unity and love worked out in practical life become an impregnable wall withstanding his assaults. Dissension and each seeking the highest place bring weakness instead of strength, and only those who live that prayer will stand the test in the shaking time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken.
The Holy Spirit reproves concerning judgment because the prince of this world has been judged, working on the heart and conscience to bring conviction. Those who speak or write the truths of God must have this endowment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or they will make great mistakes. Without it they fall into judging brethren and defining their sin, when no person has been put on the judgment seat to judge a brother. This reproving is a clear, decided testimony to be borne in behalf of righteousness and truth.
The receiver is given the mind of Christ and made a faithful worker for the Lord, bringing self into subjection, repressing evil inclination, refusing false ways and excuses for faults, and cutting away evil in faith and prayer. Christ is present to help in every true purpose and in the battle with the enemy and to give rest to all who labor and are heavy laden. By these words Christ sought to uplift thought and enlarge expectation to grasp the highest conception of excellence, for after His ascension He would send to His church as His crowning gift the Comforter to take His place, the soul of His life, the efficacy of His church, and the light and life of the world, sending with His Spirit a reconciling influence and a power to take away sin. God's people must be very careful not to resist this working, must appreciate the value of the wonderful gift bestowed, must enlarge their expectations, and must seek for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. That convicting work, by which the Spirit makes the preached Word effectual in the constant conflict between the powers of darkness and the heavenly forces and convicts souls as to what is truth, is to be sought by prayer, by asking believers before preaching to pray for the Spirit's work and by calling for prayers of faith for others.