Interpretive Study of John's Gospel

Jesus is the Son of God

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, God.

John Chapter 15

Last Supper: Jesus Explains Abiding Love

Links to sentences in this chapter:

C15-S1 (Verse 1), C15-S2 (Verse 2), C15-S3 (Verse 3), C15-S4 (Verse 4), C15-S5 (Verse 4), C15-S6 (Verse 5), C15-S7 (Verse 6), C15-S8 (Verse 7), C15-S9 (Verse 8), C15-S10 (Verse 9), C15-S11 (Verse 10), C15-S12 (Verse 11), C15-S13 (Verse 12), C15-S14 (Verse 13), C15-S15 (Verse 14), C15-S16 (Verse 15), C15-S17 (Verse 16), C15-S18 (Verse 17), C15-S19 (Verse 18), C15-S20 (Verse 19), C15-S21 (Verse 20), C15-S22 (Verse 20), C15-S23 (Verse 21), C15-S24 (Verse 22), C15-S25 (Verse 23), C15-S26 (Verse 24), C15-S27 (Verse 25), C15-S28 (Verse 26-27)'.

Chapter Outline

The theme of this chapter is abiding love. It gives promises to all saved who truly abide in the love of Jesus Christ. Such saved people prove so by letting Him cause them to love the brethren and understand, and react properly, to the persecution from the world. This requires the saved to mature spiritually. Therefore, people who claim to be saved, but do not manifest spiritual maturity, are not abiding in love, as Jesus commands the saved to do in this chapter. Such people can not 'claim' the promises of this chapter.

It is said that hate is love twisted by rejection. The end of our chapter speaks about the judgment of the world because they rejected and hated Jesus Christ and God the Father. People reading the end of this chapter, without considering the context of the rest of the chapter, might miss this truth. So, even though it speaks about persecution, hate and rejection, the end of the chapter is still speaking about abiding love and the reaction to it.

Below is a summary of each sentence within this chapter with a link to the note providing the detailed analysis and contextual considerations of each sentence. These sentence summaries also show the basis for the chapter summary provided above.

C15-S1: Identify God's role in the symbolic relationship that will be described.
C15-S2: What God the Father does with the saved.
C15-S3: God's word makes us clean.
C15-S4: Command to abide.
C15-S5: We must abide in order to produce fruit.
C15-S6: Declare the relationship.
C15-S7: Realize the results of failure.
C15-S8: Realize the results of success.
C15-S9: What God gets out of the relationship.
C15-S10: Love is part of the relationship.
C15-S11: How to have abiding love.
C15-S12: How to have full joy.
C15-S13: Demonstrated love is commanded.
C15-S14: The definition of greatest love.
C15-S15: Requirement to be a friend of Jesus.
C15-S16: The changed relationship between Jesus and the saved.
C15-S17: The ordination of the saved.
C15-S18: Why Jesus gave these commands.
C15-S19: The world does the opposite of love.
C15-S20: The reaction of the world.
C15-S21: Warning to help us in time of persecution.
C15-S22: Expect to be treated like Jesus.
C15-S23: Why the world persecutes the true Christians.
C15-S24: The results of Jesus coming.
C15-S25: The precept that applies here.
C15-S26: The judgment from evidence.
C15-S27: The condemnation from scripture.
C15-S28: The enduring testimony left by Jesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as:
'1-17. The union of Christ and his members shown under the parable of a vine.
18-25. The hatred of the world.
26-27. The office of the Holy Ghost.'.

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C15-S1 (Verse 1) Identify God's role in the symbolic relationship that will be described.

I am the true vine,
and my Father is the husbandman.

Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for links to this parable and other Parables in the Gospels.

Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to see the note on this sentence in the Word Study on Truth. it explains a lot of the symbology and has Bible references to support the explanation of symbols. This sentence, and the next sentence, form a symbolic analogy. The third sentence tells us the result of this symbolic analogy and after that, Jesus gives the application of the symbolic analogy.

This sentence starts this chapter and also starts this symbolic analogy which Jesus uses to teach us about the relationship which is abiding love. In this analogy, Jesus starts by telling us the roles of Himself and f God the Father. Here we are told that every spiritual gift comes through Jesus Christ. We are also told that God the Father is the husbandman 'farmer'. Therefore, God the Father is in control and has the plan, and only say, in how the church (vine) grows. We see this truth in the next sentence.

Please note the modifying word of true within our sentence. The use of this modifying word tells us that there is a 'false vine', which is a 'false church with a false spirit'. Please remember 1John 4:1 (Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world). Please also see the Doctrinal Study called False Things according the Bible.

Please see the note for John 8:58 about the phrase I am (said by God). Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God about this title. The functional definition is: 'This phrase clearly identifies God and identifies Jesus as God'.

Please see the note for John 1:9 for links to every place within this Gospel where we find any form of the word true. The true Biblical definition is: 'Truth is defined by God. Truth is what God says is truth for this physical reality, the spiritual reality and everything else that is, even if we don't know about it. Truth is personified in Jesus Christ and anything less than 'absolute truth' is a lie. Something that is true matches what God reveals in His unchanging word'. That note has a lot more important information and links to every place in this Gospel where we find forms of this word. In addition, it explains how to use the link in the sentence outline above.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S10 about the word vine. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. L. vinca. See Wine. 1. A plant that produces grapes, of the genus Vitis, and of a great number of varieties. 2. The long slender stem of any plant, that trails on the ground, or climbs and supports itself by winding round a fixed object, or by seizing any fixed thing with its tendrils or claspers. Thus, we speak of the hop vine, the bean vine, the vines of melons, squashes, pumpkins, and other encurbitaceous plants'.

Please use this link to see the 'Minor Titles of the Son of God' found within the Bible along with links to where the Bible uses those titles. The title in this sentence is vine.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The functional definition is: 'the being who passes his character to the son'. In context with 1:14 we see that God wants to be a Father to all men.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 3:9 about the word husbandman. The functional definition for this word is: 'farmer: a person who takes care of growing things'.

Please be sure to use the links found within the sentence outline, above, to get further support in understanding the detail doctrine of this sentence. When following such links, Please be sure to go to the start of such Studies to get general information, definitions, applications and links to other places within the Bible which have the same application as the original sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'true. Joh 1:9,17; 6:32,55; 1Jo 2:8 vine. Ge 49:10-11; Ps 80:8-19; Isa 4:2; 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; 12:10; Eze 15:2-6; Ho 10:1; Zec 3:8; Mt 21:33; Lu 13:6 husbandman. Song 7:12; 8:11-12; Isa 27:2-3; 60:21; 61:3; Mt 20:1; Mr 12:1; 1Co 3:9'.

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C15-S2 (Verse 2) What God the Father does with the saved.

Equivalent Section: What God the Father does with the unfruitful.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:

Equivalent Section: What God the Father does with the fruitful.

and every branch that beareth fruit,
he purgeth it,
that it may bring forth more fruit.

The prior sentence, and this sentence, form a symbolic analogy. The next sentence tells us the result of this symbolic analogy and after that, Jesus gives the application of the symbolic analogy.

As mentioned in the note for the prior sentence, God the Father is in control and has the plan, and only say, in how the church (vine) grows. Our current sentence tells us how He does this.

Please notice that we have two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us how God deals with every branch in me that beareth not fruit. The Second Equivalent Section tells us how God deals with every branch that beareth fruit. Therefore, the distinction is made based upon if a branch bears fruit or not.

Please notice the phrase in me within the First Equivalent Section. Jesus is not dealing with the lost people is any of these chapters which tell us what He said to His disciples after Judas Iscariot was sent away. However, this phrase is included for people who take verses out of context and ignore who the true audience of this chapter is. While most such people will probably also ignore this phrase, God will use it to condemn them when they are judged.

What we see in our sentence is that God the Father separates the saved people into two broad categories: those what beareth fruit and those who do not. In addition, we need to pay attention to the fact that most of the action verbs of our sentence (beareth, taketh, purgeth) all have the th suffix which makes them 'life-style verbs'. Thus, our sentence is talking about 'life-styles' and not what someone does for a short time.

Our First Equivalent Section tells us about saved people who beareth not fruit. God the Father taketh away those people. Now, Please realize that there are many applications of the phrase take away. One way is in death and while this is the final application, in this life, it does not fulfill the life-style meaning of taketh. Another application is causing such people to leave good churches so that they don't corrupt the people who do beareth fruit. (1Corinthians 15:33 says: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners..)

In addition, there are other ways that God the Father can take away saved people who beareth not fruit. One of those ways is with sickness and there are places in the Bible where it warns us that God uses sickness and other problems in this world to punish and correct disobedient children of God. Think about the fact that 'soul winning' and 'visitation' are the most neglected ministries in most American churches while sickness and health problems are the most requested categories for prayer by the church.

The Second Equivalent Section tells us about saved people who beareth fruit. God the Father purgeth their lives. If you look at the word definitions, below, you will see that this means that God the Father 'removes anything from their life which interferes with their bearing fruit'.

We need to pay attention the fact that God does this purging as a life-style. People who used to be fruitful, but no longer experience God 'removing things from their life which interferes with their bearing fruit', need to expect God to start bringing judgment into their life and take them away from a good church and the blessings of God.

One more thing to realize is that, while this sentence can be applied to an individual and their family, it can also be applied to a church. Many people claim that this is the 'Laodicean Age' because the majority of people in American churches are lukewarm. This is true in most American churches, but they ignore the rest of the message to that church. Lord Jesus Christ also said Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17. What they fail to realize is that, while this might be true in America, it is not necessarily true everywhere.

When God called for the first missionaries (Acts 13),. God took the best two preachers in the church. This meant that other preachers would have to grow spiritually in order to replace Paul and Barnabas. While many people might doubt that losing their pastor is God's way to make the church grow, that is often God's purpose. This is one way that God purgeth a church that beareth fruit.

However, a church which cuts their missions program; in order to do a non-soul winning ministry or for a building program or something similar; is an example of how God taketh away spiritual blessings and the concern for receiving spiritual blessings from God. This is often the first step which leads to a church rejecting Sound Doctrine or changing their worship to a 'praise and worship team' or even closing their doors.

Please see the note for John 12:12 about the word branch. The functional definition for this word is: 'used symbolically for God's people who are part of Him just like a branch is part of the plant which it is attached to'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S1 about the word bear. The functional definition is: 'to carry a load over a period of time'.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S5 and 1Corinthians C9S10 about the word fruit. The functional definition for this word is: 'Used for offspring of any type of life'. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:9-11 and James 3:18 about the phrase fruit of righteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C8S21 about the word firstfruits.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 5:7 about the word purge. The functional definition for this word is: 'To cleanse or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign or superfluous'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'branch. Joh 17:12; Mt 3:10; 15:13; 21:19; Lu 8:13; 13:7-9; 1Co 13:1; Heb 6:7-8; 1Jo 2:19 and. Job 17:9; Ps 51:7-13; Pr 4:18; Isa 27:9; 29:19; Ho 6:3; Mal 3:3; Mt 3:12; 13:12,33; Ro 5:3-5; 8:28; 2Co 4:17-18; Php 1:9-11; 1Th 5:23-24; Tit 2:14; Heb 6:7; 12:10-11,15; Re 3:19 may. Joh 15:8,16; Ga 5:22-23; Php 1:11; Col 1:5-10 General references. exp: Nu 19:18; Mr 4:25.'.

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C15-S3 (Verse 3) God's word makes us clean.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Now, this sentence might seem to not fit within the context, but it does fit. We just have to understand how it fits in order to get the proper doctrine and understand the limits imposed by the context

Please notice that our word starts with the word now, which means; 'after the prior sentences are true in you life'. Therefore, the promise of this sentence is only true for saved people who remain in Jesus Christ and whose life-style causes them to beareth fruit. That is what the context specifies and our sentence starting with the word now .means that the promise within this sentence is available only after the limits of the prior sentences are met.

The links, in the word definitions below, provide access to the two other sentences in this Gospel where the word clean is used. The other place, with two sentences, we say Jesus clean the feet of the apostles. Here, He says that it is His word that does the job. What we find from the combination of these two places is that God's word is supposed to clean he way that we walk in this physical world.

After this sentence we have several sentences which talk about having God abide in us. Someone who is clean will not abide in filth. Jesus makes us clean before He talks about abiding in us.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 7:1 and James 4:8 about the word cleanse. The functional definition for this word is: 'To purify; to make clean; to remove filth, or foul matter of any kind, or by any process whatever, as by washing, rubbing, scouring, scraping, purging, ventilation, etc.'. Where the word cleanse is a verb, clean is a noun which identified the condition after the verb cleanse has been completed. Please note that there is a difference between the spiritual and the physical applications of these words even though the true definition is the same for both applications. a common doctrinal error is the belief that physical action can produce spiritual cleansing. In truth, the physical action produces a physical result. It requires spiritual action, which only God can do, to produce a true spiritual result. Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:13-14 about the word unclean. Please also see the notes for Galatians C5S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the word uncleanness. Please also see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits. Please also see the notes for John 13:10 and the note for John 13:11 which also use this word within this Gospel. A comparison of these three verses will help understanding.

Please see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the word word. That note explains the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. (The capitalized Word is Jesus while the non-capitalized word is scripture.) It also explains the differences between the word of God and the word of the Lord. Further, that note has links to other notes where this word is dealt with within this site. The functional definition is: 'the means for conveying a message'.

Please see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. The functional definition is: 'Uttering in articulate sounds or words; speaking; telling; relating; reciting'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. The words speaketh and saith mean that the person 'keeps on keeping on doing the saying'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 13:10; 17:17; Eph 5:26; 1Pe 1:22 exp: Nu 19:18.'.

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C15-S4 (Verse 4) Command to abide.

Abide in me,
and I in you.

This command comes after the sentence where Jesus said: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.. If we are not spiritually clean then God does not want to abide in us. Thus, we not only need to be spiritually clean but we need to stay that way.

Our next sentence starts with the word as and provides a comparison to this sentence. There we are told that our bearing fruit, and having the results of bearing fruit, depends on Jesus Christ abiding in us. Therefore, one of the requirements of our bearing fruit is for us to remain spiritually clean.

In addition, to considering the next sentences for context, we also have to consider the prior sentence for context. Since this and the prior sentences are surrounded by sentences talking about bearing fruit, it should be obvious that bearing fruit is also part of the subject spoken about by these two sentences.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The functional definition is: 'to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

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C15-S5 (Verse 4) We must abide in order to produce fruit.

Firs Step: Provide illustration.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine;

Second Step: Provide the application.

no more can ye,
except ye abide in me.

The sentences prior to this sentence, within this chapter, talked about bearing fruit and God abiding in us . Now, this sentence is providing the relationship between these two subjects. In addition, this sentence has two Steps which show us how to use a truth in this physical world to teach a spiritual truth.

Our First Step tells us the truth of this physical world which is used to illustrate the spiritual truth. If a branch is cut off from the vine, it not only cannot bear fruit of itself, but it withers and dies.

It takes life to produce life and all of the life comes from the vine.

Likewise, this physical truth, from the First Step, is applied to our personal (ye) spiritual life and ability to produce spiritual fruit.

Paul uses the truth of this section in Romans 11 when he talks about our being graffed in.

Please see the note for Romans C15S1 about the word bear. The functional definition is: 'to carry a load over a period of time'.

Please see the note for John 6:44 about the word except. The functional definition is: 'to take or leave out of anything specified; to exclude'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The functional definition is: 'to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

Please use this link to see the 'Minor Titles of the Son of God' found within the Bible along with links to where the Bible uses those titles. The title in this sentence is vine.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Abide. Joh 6:68-69; 8:31; Song 8:5; Lu 8:15; Ac 11:23; 14:22; Ga 2:20; Col 1:23; 2:6; 1Th 3:5; Heb 10:39; 1Jo 2:6,24-28; 2Jo 1:9; Jude 1:20-21 I. Joh 6:56 14:20 17:23 Ro 8:9-10; 2Co 13:5; Eph 3:17; Col 1:27 As. Isa 27:10-11; Eze 15:2-5; Ho 14:8; 2Co 12:8-10; Ga 2:20; Php 1:11 General references. exp: Ex 28:34.'.

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C15-S6 (Verse 5) Declare the relationship.

Equivalent Section: Define the roles in the relationship.

I am the vine,
ye are the branches:

Equivalent Section: Detail the desired result of the relationship.

He that abideth in me,
and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:

Equivalent Section: Determine why the relationship is needed.

for without me ye can do nothing.

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections which tell us about our relationship to Jesus Christ and how that relationship is required in order to produce spiritual fruit. This sentence is a follow-up on the prior sentence and is providing further clarification of the same subject as the prior sentence told us about.

1John 2:1 says: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Many people think that they abide in Jesus Christ, but they don't have the much fruit which our current sentence promises. This is often because how they think that they walk does not match how God sees them walk.

There is a lot of truth in the song which includes 'only what's done for Jesus will last'. 1Timothy 6:7 says: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. A lot of saved people will end up being 'eternal paupers' because they believe the lying doctrine of devils (1Timothy 4:1) which claims that 'all saved will get a mansion in heaven even while they live in sin and do nothing to build the kingdom of God'.

The Biblical truth is that our level of riches, our position and our level of happiness, in heaven, will all be dependent upon ho much fruit we add to our account while we are in this life (Philippians 4:7). We do this by doing the 'Great Commission' (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).

Our current sentence tells us how we bringeth forth much fruit, which determines our level of riches, our position and our level of happiness, in heaven,. Therefore, ee must meet the requirements of this sentence if we want to avoid being 'eternal paupers' who have tears for an average of almost twice a week for at least 1,000 years.

Hopefully, the reader understands the Biblical reason for us to fulfill the requirement of this sentence and bringeth forth much fruit. With that written, we will move onto the analysis of this sentence with one further note on context. This section on fruit continues through 15:8 and then Jesus starts speaking about love. Both of these subjects are detailed parts of abiding love, which is the theme of this chapter.

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections with the titles in the sentence outline, above, explaining the differences in these three Equivalent Sections. What is the same in every one of these three Equivalent Sections is that they declare the relationship between Jesus Christ and the truly fruitful Christian.

Our First Equivalent Section makes it clear that this is a personal (ye) relationship. Our Second Equivalent Section makes it clear that this is an enduring (abideth and bringeth) relationship. Our Third Equivalent Section makes it clear that the true Biblical Christian is personally (ye) totally dependent upon Jesus Christ (for without me ye can do nothing).

Please use this link to see the 'Minor Titles of the Son of God' found within the Bible along with links to where the Bible uses those titles. The title in this sentence is vine.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The functional definition is: 'to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'vine. Ro 12:5; 1Co 10:16; 12:12,27; 1Pe 2:4 same. Joh 12:24; Pr 11:30; Ho 4:8; Lu 13:6-9; Ro 6:22; 7:4; 2Co 9:10; Ga 5:22; Eph 5:9; Php 1:11; 4:13,17; Col 1:6,10; Jas 1:17; 2Pe 1:2-18; 3:18 without. or, severed from. Ac 4:12 exp: Eph 2:12. can. Joh 5:19; 9:33; 2Co 13:8; Php 4:13 General references. exp: Ex 28:34; 1Co 3:7.'.

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C15-S7 (Verse 6) Realize the results of failure.

First Step: Realize the spiritual results of failure in this world.

If a man abide not in me,
he is cast forth as a branch,
and is withered;

Second Step: Realize the results of failure at the judgment seat of Christ.

and men gather them,
and cast them into the fire,
and they are burned.

After describing this relationship, Jesus warns us about failure. As has been true for all of this chapter, Jesus continues to use truths in this physical world to teach spiritual truths.

Now, this sentence has the potential of supporting doctrinal error if it is applied wrongly. People can claim that the phrase: men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned is speaking about being cast into Hell. However, 1Corinthians 3:15 says : If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. That sentence, especially when considered within the context where it is presented, makes it clear that this fire is in heaven at the judgment seat of Christ. Therefore, this is not speaking about losing our salvation.

Now that we have eliminated the doctrinal error, we can see what this sentence actually says. Our First Step tells us to realize the spiritual results of failure in this world. The warning is that if a saved person does not abide in Jesus then they are cast forth as a branch within this world. God uses God uses the world, our flesh and the devil to cause these people to get upset at a good godly church and leave. People think that they made the choice but our sentence says that it is actually God Who makes them cast forth as a branch.

Before such people leave the church, they first leave any ministry which they are involved with, starting with outreach ministries and continuing through other ministries until they are skipping Sunday School and then skipping other services. People call this evidence that such people are 'backslid'.

Moving on, Please notice that our last phrase, of the First Step, says and is withered. This is the end result, in this life, of becoming 'backslid'. Such a person can't encourage anyone. They have no spiritual life in them. They can't even produce the spiritual leaf which symbolically represents religious activity.

In our Second Step we see the results of failure when we are at the judgment seat of Christ. I believe that the men, in this Step are angels of God because there are other places where the Bible calls angels men and they act as God's servants in heaven. However, that is not critical and people are free to disagree with me on that point. What is important is the phrase and they are burned. This was explained earlier in this note at part of the judgment seat of Christ. If our works are gold, silver precious stones (1Corinthians 3:5) then we don't have to worry about this fire. However, that will only be true for saved people who abide in Jesus Christ.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The functional definition is: 'to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

Please see the note for Mark 3:1 about the word withered. The functional definition for this word is: 'Faded; dried; shrunk'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the word gather. The functional definition is: 'Collected; assembled; contracted; plaited; drawn by inference'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word fire. The functional definition for this word is: 'An extremely painful type of injury that is used by God to cleanse and purify'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S18 about the phrase coals of fire. Please also see the note for Romans 1:3-LJC about the phrase lake of Fire.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he. Job 15:30; Ps 80:15; Isa 14:19; 27:10; Eze 15:3-7; 17:9; 19:12-14; Mt 3:10; 7:19; 13:41; 27:5; Heb 6:7-8; 10:27; 2Pe 2:20; 1Jo 2:19; Jude 1:12-13; Re 20:15; 21:8 exp: 1Jo 2:6. General references. exp: Ex 28:34; Lu 3:9; 23:31.'.

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C15-S8 (Verse 7) Realize the results of success.

If ye abide in me,
and my words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.

Philippians 3:7-12 is a well-known and preached section which gives us details on how we abide in Jesus Christ and what the results of our truly doing this will be. Please consider that section of the Bible, and the associated notes in the Book Study, to get more details supporting the proper application of these first sentences within this chapter.

Our sentence starts with the word if and provides the conditional statement which most people ignore or fail to understand. People want to 'claim' the promise of ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. If they don't fulfill the requirement to abide. When we abide some place we live there a long time and make it personalized and comfortable for yourself.

So how comfortable is ,Jesus Christ in you?
Does your personal life show changes made by Jesus Christ so that His personality is shown in your life?
Has He cleaned up your life spiritually so that you stop certain sins and don't do things you used to do?
Are there places you no longer go?
Is your language cleaned up and full of grace and truth?
Does your life show the holiness and righteousness of God the Father?
Does it show the sacrifice and service of God the Son?
Do you start every day with prayer and Bible Study and end it with thanksgiving?
While many people can list many more questions, we need to move on.

In addition, to the conditional requirement of this sentence, we also have three other requirements in the next sentence. It also must be considered because of contextual considerations. Please see the note for the next sentence about those considerations.

One more thing to pay attention to s the use of the personal pronoun of ye. This is a promise for our personal prayers to be answered. Lots of people ask the church to pray for personal thing when they can't get personal prayers answered. To the best of my knowledge, the prayer requests from Paul, which are recorded in the Bible, were mainly about God's power in the ministry. He said that he prayed about it three times (2Corinthians 12:7-9), but did not request others to pray about it. In fact, we learn about it only because Paul used it to teach right doctrine about personal suffering. So, the question is: are we using this promise for our personal prayer life or are we trying to apply it to church prayer?

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The functional definition is: 'to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will. The functional definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'. Please see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'my. Joh 8:37; De 6:6; Job 23:12; Ps 119:11; Pr 4:4; Jer 15:16; Col 3:16; 1Jo 2:14,27; 2Jo 1:1-2 ye shall. Joh 15:16; 14:13; 16:23; Job 22:26; Ps 37:4; Pr 10:24; Isa 58:8; Ga 4:2; 5:16; 1Jo 3:22; 5:14 exp: 1Jo 2:27. General references. exp: Ex 28:34; Mt 21:22.'.

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C15-S9 (Verse 8) What God gets out of the relationship.

First Step: What God the Father gets.

Herein is my Father glorified,
that ye bear much fruit;

Second Step: What God the Son gets.

so shall ye be my disciples.

Our sentence starts with the word herein, and references the prior sentence as what makes my Father glorified. That is: God the Father is glorified when He answers our personal prayers, as was explained in the note for the prior sentence. However, God the Father would not be glorified if He answers prayers for obvious sinners. Therefore, there are requirements which we must meet in order to get our personal prayers answered by God the Father. The requirements which Jesus names in the prior sentence and this sentence are:

We must personally abide in Jesus Christ as explained in the note for the prior sentence.
We must glorify God the Father. If we fail to tell others about God answering our prayers then God has no motivation to do so.
We must bear much fruit. If we are not working for God's kingdom in a way that allows Him to bring forth spiritual fruit from our personal life, then He is wasting His time to bless us and answer our personal prayers,
We must personally (e) be my disciples. If we do not have a disciplined life of learning from Jesus Christ, and obeying Him, then God would send the wrong message to other when he blessed us and answered our personal prayers.

One other thing to note here is that Jesus said: so shall ye be my disciples. If we do not personally bear much fruit or we fail to glorify God the Father with our life, or we can not get our personal prayers answered, then there is a problem with our personal discipleship.

Please see the note for Romans C15S14; 1Corinthians C15S36; Ephesians C1S2; 2Corinthians 10:14-LJC and Colossians C1S6 about the word glory. The functional definition is: 'Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honour, dignity of God; of the mind or heart; Splendour, brightness, majesty of Jehovah , the infinite perfections of God' . Think about the 'Mount of transfiguration'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S1 about the word bear. The functional definition is: 'to carry a load over a period of time'.

Please see the note for John 1:35-36 about the word disciple. The functional definition is: 'A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'is. Ps 92:12-15; Isa 60:21; 61:3; Hag 1:8; Mt 5:16; 1Co 6:20; 10:31; 2Co 9:10-15; Php 1:11; Tit 2:5,10; 1Pe 2:12; 4:11 so. Joh 8:31; 13:35; Mt 5:44; Lu 6:35 General references. exp: Ex 28:34; Isa 49:3.'.

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C15-S10 (Verse 9) Love is part of the relationship.

Equivalent Section: The basis for the love.

As the Father hath loved me,
so have I loved you:

Equivalent Section: The requirement of love.

continue ye in my love.

Our sentence starts with the word as, which means: 'in the same way'. Jesus said the Father hath loved me and God the Father did that by letting His only begotten Son suffer all that He did in this life and in Hell so that God could save us. God the Father gave God the Son eternal spiritual rewards, which we don't fully understand, as a result. Therefore, the word as tells us that God the Son will love us 'in the same way'. Therefore, God the Son will let us suffer in this physical world so that we can receive greater eternal spiritual rewards when we go the heaven.

Now that we have dealt with the First Equivalent Section, we can understand what is included in the Second Equivalent Section. When Jesus commands; continue ye in my love He is commanding 'Each and every one of you are to personally let me cause you to suffer in this physical world so that you can get greater eternal spiritual rewards in heaven. In addition, you are to do this for the rest of your physical life and death'.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. In particular, the note for 2John 1:3-LJC has links to every place where John writes about the word love. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please also see the note for 1John C3S26about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love. Please see the notes for Romans C9S23 and Colossians C3S8 about the word beloved. The true Biblical doctrine of this word is very complex since it is a character trait of God. That said, a simple functional definition is: 'Doing what brings the greatest ultimate good to another being without any consideration of cost to self and not consideration of any response by the other and a willingness to even bring short-term pain if that is what is required in order to bring the ultimate long-tern good'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word continue. The functional definition is: 'To remain in a state, or place; to abide for any time indefinitely'. Please also see the note for James 1:25 about the word continueth.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the Father. Joh 15:13; 17:23,26; Eph 3:18; Re 1:5 continue. Joh 15:11; 1Jo 2:28; Jude 1:20 exp: Ps 36:10. General references. exp: Joh 10:17.'.

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C15-S11 (Verse 10) How to have abiding love.

First Step: How to abide in love.

If ye keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love;

Second Step: The example from Jesus.

even as I have kept my Father's commandments,
and abide in his love.

Here we have another conditional statement because our sentence starts with the word if. It is critical for God's people to understand all of these conditional statements so that they can receive the promises of God.

When God's people don't understand, and fail to fulfill God's conditional requirements, then God can't give them the promises. After this happens the devil tries to tell God's people that God isn't reliable and that they can't trust God to keep His promises. Therefore, in order to shut the mouth of the Devil, we need to first understand what God requires, then we need to do what God requires, then we need to wait for God to keep His promise in His time by exercising faith, and finally, after receiving the promise, we need to testify about God keeping His promises so that we can counter the lies fro the devil.

Our First Step fits with the first requirement that I mentioned above. Many people assume that they understand the phrase keep my commandments, but are not using the Bible definition for keep; or are not using the Bible definition for commandments; or fail to understand the spiritual and attitude requirements which are part of this phrase. So, when God's people lack true understanding, how can they obey in the way that God requires?

Please notice the use of the word ye in our First Step. That makes the fulfillment of the requirement personal and the receiving of the promise personal. Too many people believe the lie from Satan that if their church, in general, is obeying God then they will personally receive blessings even while they live in sin. This Bible (KJV-1611) is hated by religion because it continually teaches a personal relationship with God and religion tries to replace the personal relationship with reliance upon the religion.

Next, we need to pay attention to the word shall which means 'it absolutely, positively will happen'. This can be difficult to believe, especially when you are in a situation which people describe as: 'in a swamp, being sucked under by quick sand and surrounded by alligators'. The only way to have true Biblical faith, while you are in those circumstances, is to keep in mind the true Biblical teaching on love as was described in the note for the prior sentence.

Our Second Step starts with the word even, which means 'having the same weight'. (Think of a balancing scale. When the two sides are even then the items in each side have the same weight.) Our second Step tells us that Jesus had kept my Father's commandments and, as a result, He abides in his love. Therefore, our keeping His commandments 'has the same weight' as Jesus keeping my Father's commandments. Jesus adds this Second Step so that we will know how important (even) it is for us to keep His commandments. In addition, He adds the part about love so that we will understand that we will get the same type and amount (even) of love as He received from God the Father while He lived in this world and was our example of how to live in the flesh using the power of the Holy Ghost.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:22 about the word keep. The functional definition is: 'To hold; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose or part with'. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S11; 1Corinthians C7S6 and Psalms 119 about the word commandment. The functional definition is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge; precept'. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The functional definition is: 'to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'ye keep. Joh 14:15,21; 1Co 7:19; 1Th 4:1; 2Pe 2:21; 1Jo 2:5; 3:21-24; 5:3; Re 22:14 even. Joh 4:34; 8:29; 12:49; 14:31; 17:4; Isa 42:1-4; Mt 3:15-17; Heb 7:26; 10:5-10; 1Jo 2:1-2 General references. exp: Ex 7:6; Isa 50:5; Joh 10:17; 14:15.'.

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C15-S12 (Verse 11) How to have full joy.

These things have I spoken unto you,
that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full.

Here Jesus tells us why He said what He said in the prior sentences. The one major source of doctrinal error is when people define joy. as 'happiness'. These two words have totally different definitions with the true Biblical definition of joy being presented in the word definitions below. The fact is that we are to have joy when the circumstances of life make us feel the opposite of 'happy'.

With that said, our sentence tells us three things about this joy.

Our joy is based upon what Jesus has spoken unto you.
Our joy is to remain in you regardless of circumstances.
Our joy is to be full our sentence uses the word might for this point because Jesus does everything necessary to provide full joy but we might not accept it because of circumstances.

Our prior sentence was talking about love and the next several sentences tell us about love and the results of it. Therefore, the context tells us that in order for us to have full joy, we must fulfill God's requirements for love.

In Acts 20:22-25 we read about Paul going to Jerusalem and testifying behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. He continues his statements with: But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy. Here we have a Biblical example of someone having true Biblical joy while deliberately heading into assured betrayal, pain, torture and death. While we are to have joy in this life, we will not keep it if we do not finish [our] course, as Acts tells us. This is the course which we receive from the Lord Jesus and is why He said what He says in this chapter. He gives us a course which causes the world to hate us but which also supplies us with true Biblical joy. A quick survey of the places that we find joy in the New Testament gives us the following references: Matthew 2:10; 13:20, 44; 25:21, 23; 28:8; Luke 1:14, 44; 2:10; 6:23; 8:13; 10:17; 15:7, 10; 24:41, 52; John 3:29; 15:11; 16:20-22, 24; 17:13; Acts 2:28; 8:8; 13:52; 15:3; 20:24; Romans 5:11; 14:17; 15:13, 32; 2Corinthians 1:24; 2:3; 7:13; 8:2; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 1:4, 25; 2:2, 17-18; 4:1; 1Thessalonians 1:6; 2:19-20; 3:9; 2Timothy 1:4; Philemon 1:7, 20; Hebrews 12:2; 13:17; James 1:2; 4:9; 1Peter 1:8; 4:13; 1John 1:4; 2John 1:12; 3John 1:4; Jude 1:24. a study of these references shows that true Biblical joy is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'.

Please also see the notes for Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. Those notes have additional information which is not found here. The functional definition is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 4:6-7 about the word remain. The functional definition is: 'To continue; To be left after a part or others have past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'my. Isa 53:11; 62:4; Jer 32:41; 33:9; Zep 3:17; Lu 15:5,9,23,32; 1Jo 1:4 exp: Mt 11:29. your. Joh 16:24,33; 17:13; Ro 15:13; 2Co 1:24; Eph 5:18; Php 1:25; 1Th 5:16; 1Pe 1:8; 2Jo 1:12 General references. exp: Joh 14:15; 16:1.'.

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C15-S13 (Verse 12) Demonstrated love is commanded.

This is my commandment,
That ye love one another,
as I have loved you.

This sentence follows the one where we were told that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. In context, the commandment of this sentence must be obeyed in order for us to have the type of joy that Jesus spoke about.

We see forms the words commandment in the same sentence with love in: Mark 12:30-31; John 13:34; John 14:15; John 14:21; John 14:31; John 15:10; John 15:12; John 15:17; Romans 13:9; 2Corinthians 8:8; 1John 3:23; 1John 4:21; 1John 5:2-3; 2John 1:5; 2John 1:6. Most of these references are a commandment from Jesus that we love the brethren as I have loved you. A further note is that most of these are from John, who probably understood the love of Jesus more than any of the other disciples.

Once more we see that this is a personal commandment with the use of the personal pronoun of ye. With this commandment in mind, we should also consider the next sentence because contextual considerations require us to apply it to the love which we are commanded to give to one another. Yes, Jesus did lay down his life for his friends. However, we also need to remember that in C14-S13 Jesus told us This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Therefore, the use of the word as, in that sentence, means that we should be willing to do the same for the brethren.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 13:34; Ro 12:10; Eph 5:2; 1Th 3:12; 4:9; 2Th 1:3; 1Pe 1:22; 3:8; 4:8; 1Jo 2:7-10; 3:11-18,23; 4:21 exp: Joh 14:15; 15:17; 1Jo 4:11.'.

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C15-S14 (Verse 13) The definition of greatest love.

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

This sentence is a stand-alone precept. It is given here so that the context allows it to qualify what is expected from the saved with the commandment given in the prior sentence. With that said, the interpretation is clear on the surface and I will leave providing application to preachers.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20; Life in 1John about the word life. The functional definition is: 'Life is that by which a created being enjoys the place in which the Creator has set it' . Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC; Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please note that eternal life is different from everlasting life in that while eternal life is 'Without beginning or end of existence', everlasting life 'has a beginning but is without end of existence'. Please see the note for John 5:24 about the phrase everlasting life. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

The word life is used 44 times in the Gospel of John. The word definitions, within the note for C1-S4, have links to many other places on this site where this word is also dealt with. 17:3 gives us the definition, from Jesus Christ, when it says: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.. In the Bible, the word know includes a personal intimate relationship (Genesis 4:1 and Genesis 4:251). All life moves and changes by its own ability. Only dead things do not move and change by their own ability. Further, a study of this word, within John's Gospel, will also show that those people who truly have received God's life also demonstrate a God caused change in their own life which makes them more holy and more righteous. Further, John 20:31 tells us: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Thus, we see that our receiving God's life is the main purpose of John's Gospel. Therefore, it should be obvious that this is a major theme of John's Gospel.

Please see the note for John 3:29 about the word friend. The definition from the American Tract Society Dictionary is: 'Abraham is signally honored in being called "the friend of God," Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23. Christ granted a similar honor and blessing to his disciples, Joh 15:15. It is a different word, however, in Greek, by which he addressed Judas, Mt 26:50; the word there translated friend, means simply companion, and appears to have been used as a conversational term not implying friendship. The same word occurs in Mt 20:13; 22:12'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 10:11,15; Ro 5:6-8; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 4:7-11 exp: Pr 17:17; Joh 14:15.'.

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C15-S15 (Verse 14) Requirement to be a friend of Jesus.

Ye are my friends,
if ye do whatsoever I command you.

James 2:20-23 reminds us that Abraham...was called the Friend of God and God imputed unto him righteousness when he believed and obeyed God. Now our current sentence is offering us the same position, as a friend of God, if we also do whatsoever I command you.

Our sentence gives us the conditional requirement (if) for us to have Jesus call us friends. In addition, the use of the personal pronoun (ye) makes it clear that this is a personal requirement and we can not claim this relationship because of our church nor because of some religious thing which we do.

This sentence and the next sentence tell us that Jesus considers some saved to be more than servants when He calls them friends. In this sentence we see the requirement to personally (ye) do whatsoever I command you.

In addition, we need to remember the context. This was after the 'Last Supper' and after Jesus sent Judas Iscariot away. Every one of the disciples with Jesus, at this time had dedicated their life to serve Him and all of them experienced a martyr's death. (You get boiled alive in oil and then get sent to a prison mine where the guards are ordered to work and starve the prisoners to death. After you personally experience those things, we can discuss how John didn't experience a martyr's death. Yes, Jesus may have kept him alive through those experiences, but that does not give people the right to deny that he had them.)

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'my. Joh 14:15,28; 2Ch 20:7; Song 5:1; Isa 41:8; Mt 12:50; Lu 12:4; Jas 2:23 exp: Mt 11:29. if. Joh 2:5; 13:17; 14:21; 1Jo 5:3 General references. exp: Ge 6:22; Ex 7:6; Le 18:4; De 11:32; Pr 17:17; Joh 14:15.'.

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C15-S16 (Verse 15) The changed relationship between Jesus and the saved.

Equivalent Section: Why Jesus will not call some saved people servants.

First Step: What Jesus will not do.

Henceforth I call you not servants;

Second Step: Why.

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

Equivalent Section: Why Jesus will call the saved friend.

First Step: What Jesus has done.

but I have called you friends;

Second Step: Why.

for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

This is a somewhat complex sentence with two Equivalent Section and with each Equivalent Section having two Steps. In addition, one Equivalent Section uses the word knoweth while the other uses the word known. The doctrinal difference between these two words is important for proper understanding.

In our First Equivalent Section we are told why Jesus will not call some saved people servants. In our Second Equivalent Section we are told why Jesus will call the saved friend. So, the equivalency is in the fact that Jesus is changing the relationship between Himself and some saved. Also, as God always does in these types of instances, we see that these particular saved people end up with a better relationship with God.

In case the definition of the word friend, below, is not clear, it is saying that the Bible used two different words, in the original languages, for the English word of friend. Jesus had one meaning when He applied it to Abraham and another meaning when He applied it to Judas Iscariot. In this sentence, Jesus is offering the same relationship, to some saved, as Abraham had with God.

As was explained in the note for the prior sentence, this offer is not made to all saved but only to those saved people who fulfill the requirements from God. That note also explained those requirements.

In our First Equivalent Section we have two Steps with the First Step telling us that Jesus is changing the relationship between Himself and some saved. The Second Step tells us why (for). The word knoweth means: 'keeps on keeping on knowing'. While a servant might know some things some of the time, he does not always know everything. What our First Equivalent Section is telling us is that some saved people will know what God is doing, even if they don't know all of the details or might not understand everything. Therefore, these saved people might know that God is doing something to bring Himself glory and honor, or that God is doing something to expose a liar or is doing some other thing. Such people can say: 'I know that God's doing this for (whatever) reason. I don't know all of the details and don't understand everything but you watch. When it is over, God will have accomplished (whatever)'.

In our Second Equivalent Section we have two Steps with the First Step telling us that Jesus is changing the relationship between Himself and some saved people to make them His friend. As already mentioned, this is the type of relationship that Abraham had with God and only a few saved people receive this special relationship. As in the First Equivalent Section, our Second Step tells us why. In it we see the words have made known because, unlike the First Equivalent Section, Jesus does not 'keeps on keeping letting us know'.

In our Second Equivalent Section we see that God revealed His will, and the knowledge that we need to use, one time. After that, it is our responsibility to study the word of God, with the help from God's Holy Spirit, in order to know all things that I have heard of my Father. Those saved people who truly study God's word, with the help from God's Holy Spirit, will know these things. Lost people and saved people who fail to study God's word this diligently, or who fail to seek the help of God's Holy Spirit, will not know these things.

It is that simple. Those people who do will know these things will be a friend of God. Those people who fail to fulfill this requirement will not be a friend of God.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:14-15 about the word henceforth. The functional definition for this word is: 'From this time forward'.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S1; 1Corinthians C1S3 and 1Timothy 6:12 about the word call. The functional definition is: 'A person who has a position where they are expected to performs tasks that are stated, implied or desired by another person'. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. The functional definition is: 'A person who has a position where they are expected to performs tasks that are stated, implied or desired by another person'. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; 2Corinthians C1S5; Galatians C3-S9; Colossians C1S3 and know in 1John about the word know. The functional definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please see the note for Romans 6:3 about the phrase Know ye not. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S14 and Galatians C3-S7 about the word hear. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Perceiving by the ear, as sound. 1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded. 2. Attending to witnesses or advocates in a judicial trial; trying'. Please pay attention to the word 'obey' within this definition. That is what most people refuse to do when the Bible says that they do not hear. Please also see the note for James 2:5 about the word hearken. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I call. Joh 15:20; 12:26; 13:16; 20:17; Ga 4:6; Phm 1:16; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Jude 1:1; Re 1:1 friends. Jas 2:23 exp: Song 5:1. all. Joh 4:19; 17:6-8,26; Ge 18:17-19; 2Ki 6:8-12; Ps 25:14; Am 3:7; Mt 13:11; Lu 10:23; Ac 20:27; Ro 16:25-26; 1Co 2:9-12; Eph 1:9; 3:5; Col 1:26; 1Pe 1:11 exp: 2Ch 9:2. General references. exp: Ge 18:17; Joh 12:49.'.

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C15-S17 (Verse 16) The ordination of the saved.

Equivalent Section: Jesus chooses who to ordain.

Ye have not chosen me,
but I have chosen you,
and ordained you,
that ye should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain:

Equivalent Section: Why we have this ordination.

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name,
he may give it you.

Please be sure that you understand and meet the requirements for receiving the promise of this sentence before you 'claim' the promise. Please also see the Study called Significant Gospel Events for other promises found in the Gospels.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections and the titles in the sentence outline, above, should make the meaning of each, along with the meaning of the sentence, clear.

This sentence follows the one which described the special relationship that Jesus has with some saved people. However, not all saved have this special relationship. (Please see the note above, for the prior sentence, about the requirements to have this special relationship.) Those people, with the special relationship, are the ones that this sentence say are ordained.

Our First Equivalent Section tells us that these people were not only ordained, but they were chosen by Jesus for the purpose that ye ('each and every one of you personally'). should go and bring forth fruit. In addition, our Equivalent Section adds: and that your fruit should remain. This only happens if we let Jesus Christ produce this result. Therefore, such people must do their part to maintain their ongoing personal relationship with Him. People who are not spiritually mature enough to do their part are not chosen and ordained as our sentence talks about. This is why only some saved have this special relationship with Jesus Christ and why the prior sentences told us God's requirements for this special relationship.

Our Second Equivalent Section tells us the promise which is given to saved people with this special relationship. God can make this promise to them because God knows that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name will be for the purpose of doing the ministry that God has given to these people. Since God knows this about such people, God has no problem promising he may give it you. God does not make this promise to all saved because many saved, especially when they are being carnal, will ask for the wrong thing.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 about the words choose / chosen. The functional definition is: 'To pick out; to select'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S14; Romans C13S3 and 1Corinthians C7S20 about the words ordain / ordinance. The functional definition for this word is: 'Properly, to set; to establish in a particular office or order; hence, to invest with a ministerial function or sacerdotal power; '.

Please see the note for Hebrews 4:6-7 about the word remain. The functional definition is: 'To continue; To be left after a part or others have past'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The functional definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please also see the Summary and Verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give. The functional definition is: 'ppr. Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering. GIV'ING, n. The act of confering'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'have not. Joh 15:19; 6:70; 13:18; Lu 6:13; Ac 1:24; 9:15; 10:41; 22:14; Ro 9:11-16,21; 1Jo 4:10,19 ordained. Joh 20:21-23; 21:15-17; Isa 49:1-3; Jer 1:5-7; Mt 28:18-19; Mr 16:15-16; Lu 24:47-49; Ac 1:8; Ro 1:5; 15:15-16; 1Co 9:16-18; Ga 1:15; Eph 2:10; Col 1:23; 1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 1:11; 2:2; Tit 1:5 bring. Joh 15:8; Pr 11:30; Isa 27:6; 55:10-13; Mic 5:7; Ro 1:13; 15:16-19; 1Co 3:6-7; Col 1:6; Jas 3:18 that your. Ge 18:18; Ps 71:18; 78:4-6; 145:4; Zec 1:4-6; Ac 20:25-28; Ro 15:4; 1Co 10:11; 2Ti 3:15-17; Heb 11:4; 1Pe 1:14-21; 3:2,15 that whatsoever. Joh 15:7; 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Mt 21:22 General references. exp: Ex 28:34; 1Jo 4:19.'.

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C15-S18 (Verse 17) Why Jesus gave these commands.

These things I command you,
that ye love one another.

Our sentence summarizes all of the commandments of this chapter and tells us the reason for them is: that ye love one another. Please notice the use of the words you and ye. Jesus gave the commands to you ('the group: the entire church') but expects the application (love) to be done on a personal basis (ye).

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 15:12; 1Pe 2:17; 1Jo 3:14-17 exp: Pr 29:27; 1Co 16:14; Heb 13:1; 1Jo 5:2.'.

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C15-S19 (Verse 18) The world does the opposite of love.

If the world hate you,
ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Our sentence starts with the word if because it will not always be true that world hate you. For the saved people with the special relationship which the prior sentences dealt with, this will be true at some point in their life, but not all of their life. (Please see 2Timothy 3:12.)

Since the world...hated me (Jesus) before it hated you, we can know that we are acting like Jesus when the world hate us because of our doctrinal stand on the truth of the Bible. However, this does not hold true if we are obnoxious. Jesus was always gracious. Therefore, we also need to be gracious. It is only when we are hated for being gracious that we can know that this truth applies to us personally.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Timothy 1:15; 2Timothy C1S5; 1Corinthians C1S19 and World in 1John about the word world. The functional definition is: 'all of the people in the world as a group'.

We find forms of the word hate occurring 193 times in 181 verses of the Bible, 45 times in 39 verses of the New Testament and, in the Gospel of John, in: John 3:20; John 7:7; John 12:25; John 15:18; John 15:19; John 15:23; John 15:24; John 15:25; John 17:14. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '1. To dislike greatly; to have a great aversion to. It expresses less than abhor, detest, and abominate, unless pronounced with a peculiar emphasis. How long will fools hate knowledge? Prov.1. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you. Luke 6. The Roman tyrant was contented to be hated, if he was but feared. 2. In Scripture, it signifies to love less. If any man come to me, and hate not father and mother, etc. Luke 14. He that spareth the rod, hateth his son. Prov. 13.
HATE, n. Great dislike or aversion; hatred.'. The functional definition for this word is: 'this is an action verb which encompasses the opposite attitudes and actions from love'. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word hatred.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 15:23-25; 3:20; 7:7; 1Ki 22:8; Isa 49:7; 53:3; Zec 11:8; Mt 5:11; 10:22; 24:9; Mr 13:13; Lu 6:22; Heb 12:2; Jas 4:4; 1Jo 3:1,3,13 exp: Pr 29:27; Lu 12:52; 19:14.'.

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C15-S20 (Verse 19) The reaction of the world.

Equivalent Section: The reaction of the world to their own.

If ye were of the world,
the world would love his own:

Equivalent Section: The reaction of the world to strangers.

but because ye are not of the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.

our sentence starts with the word if and tells us a conditional truth in the First Equivalent Section. Then the Second Equivalent Section starts with the word but and tells us why he opposite is actually true.

1John 4:1-6 tells us the same thing as this sentence but with more detail.

The truth of this sentence is why preachers claim: 'If all men love you then you are not representing Jesus Christ properly'.

This sentence and the prior sentence both start with the word if and both state conditions which let us know that we are truly saved and following Jesus Christ. Not all saved following Jesus Christ. The prior sentence gave a negative condition and tells us that experiencing this negative condition assures us that we are truly saved and following Jesus Christ. This sentence gives us a positive condition and lets us know that our not experiencing this positive condition, but are in fact experiencing the negative condition (he world hateth you) assures us that we are truly saved and following Jesus Christ. All of this matches what Peter tells us in 4:12-13. There Peter takes up the message of these sentence in the Gospel of John and tells us about our reward for enduring such conditions. (Please see the note in the Book Study on 1Peter for more details on this truth and reward.)

Our First Equivalent Section is clear and easily understood on the surface. However, the two but, in the Second Equivalent Section, might cause some people some confusion. The first but is providing an exception to the condition specified in the First Equivalent Section. The second but is providing an exception to the first phrase, which is also the first but. With this we can understand that ye are not of the world because I (Jesus) have chosen you out of the world. the word out, in our phrase, lets us know that Jesus not only choose these special people but He also took them out of the world so that they no longer respond to the temptations of the world. Neither do they agree with the reasoning of the world.

It is both reasons, found in the first two phrases of the Second Equivalent Section, which cause the result which follows the therefore in the third phrase. Either of the two reasons would probably result in the third phrase, but the two of them working together makes it an absolute certainty.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 about the words choose / chosen. The functional definition is: 'To pick out; to select'.

Please see the note for Romans intro about the word therefore. The functional definition is: 'what follows the therefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the therefore and result is only seen there'.

Please see the note for John 15:16 about the word hate. The functional definition for this word is: 'this is an action verb which encompasses the opposite attitudes and actions from love'. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word hatred.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'were of the world. Lu 6:32; 1Jo 4:4-5 because. Joh 15:16; 17:14-16; Eph 1:4-11; 2:2-5; Tit 3:3-7; 1Pe 2:9-12; 4:3; 1Jo 3:12; 5:19-20; Re 12:9,17; 20:7-9 exp: Mt 7:14. General references. exp: 1Sa 8:20; Pr 29:27; Lu 12:52.'.

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C15-S21 (Verse 20) Warning to help us in time of persecution.

Remember the word that I said unto you,
The servant is not greater than his lord.

In this sentence Jesus reminds His listeners of a precept which He already spoken. This is a direct reference back to John 13:16-17. Please see the note for this sentence, in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, for more on this sentence. In addition, we find servant in the same sentence as lord in: Matthew 8:6; Matthew 10:8; Matthew 10:24; Matthew 10:25; Matthew 18:26; Matthew 18:27; Matthew 18:31; Matthew 18:32; Matthew 24:45; Matthew 24:46; Matthew 24:48-50; Matthew 25:19; Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23; Matthew 25:26; Luke 2:29; Luke 12:37; Luke 12:43; Luke 12:45-46; Luke 12:47; Luke 14:21; Luke 14:22; Luke 14:23; John 13:16; John 15:15; John 15:20. Further, we find servant in the same sentence as master in: Matthew 10:24; Matthew 10:25; Luke 14:21; Luke 16:13.

Jesus uses this precept, which He already taught, to apply it to future events which the disciples will experience. In the next few sentences He is preparing them for an unpleasant future before they experience it so that they are prepared when it happens.

Matthew 10:17-23 and John 15:20 present the prophecy by Jesus that true preachers of God's word would be persecuted. Please be sure to see each of these references and their related notes for more details.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S28 about the word remembrance. The functional definition for this word is: ' The retaining or having in mind an idea which had been present before, or an idea which had been previously received from an object when present, and which recurs to the mind afterwards without the presence of its object.'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'word. Joh 5:16; 7:32; 8:59; 10:31; 11:57; 13:16; Mt 10:24; Lu 2:34; 6:40; Ac 4:27-30; 7:52-60; 1Th 2:15 General references. exp: Mt 10:24; Lu 12:52.'.

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C15-S22 (Verse 20) Expect to be treated like Jesus.

First Step: Expect to be persecuted like Jesus.

If they have persecuted me,
they will also persecute you;

Second Step: Expect to be honored like Jesus.

if they have kept my saying,
they will keep yours also.

Matthew 10:17-23 and John 15:20 present the prophecy by Jesus that true preachers of God's word would be persecuted.

Our sentence has two Steps which tell us that the true servant of Jesus will be treated like He is. This is based upon the precept which Jesus spoke in the prior sentence.

One application of this is that we can tell who is a true servants of Jesus and who is not. Those who are loved by true Christians are true servants of Jesus. Those who are loved by the world are not. Those who are persecuted by the world are the true servants of Jesus Those who are not persecuted by the world are not.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S37 and Galatians C1-S11 about the word persecute. The note in Romans has links to every place in the New Testament where we find this word, along with an explanation of the usage, while the note in Galatians has the full definition from Webster's 1828 along with links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'In a general sense, to pursue in a manner to injure, vex or afflict; to harass with unjust punishment or penalties for supposed offenses; to inflict pain from hatred or malignity'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'if they have kept. 1Sa 8:7; Isa 53:1-3; Eze 3:7 General references. exp: Mt 10:24; Lu 12:52.'.

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C15-S23 (Verse 21) Why the world persecutes the true Christians.

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake,
because they know not him that sent me.

This sentence starts with the word but and goes the opposite way from the Second Step of the prior sentence and also tells us why the world will do the opposite of what a true servant of Jesus Christ will do. (The actions of a true servant were specified in the second prior sentence.)

Here we see the reason why they appear to be against a true servant of Jesus Christ and the true reason why they are against true Christians. They claim to be fighting against the name ('power and authority'). of Jesus Christ. They think that they are fighting against 'just a man'. However, they are truly fighting against God. Psalms 14:1 and Psalms 53:1say: To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good..

There is no Fear of the Lord. This truth is evident in America today with all of the people flaunting their unnatural sex lives, their destroying evidence of a God-fearing heritage and much more. They loudly proclaim that they don't fear judgment after their death. All of these things, and more, show the truth of this sentence when it says ,they know not him that sent me.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The functional definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. Please also see the Summary and Verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S25; 1Corinthians C9S16 and 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about the word sake. The functional definition for this word is: 'The primary sense is to strain, urge, press or drive forward, and this is from the same root as seek'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:29-30 about the phrase for His sake

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'all. Joh 16:3; Ps 69:7; Isa 66:5; Mt 5:11; 10:18,22,39; 24:9; Lu 6:22; Ac 9:16; 1Pe 4:13 because. Joh 8:19,54; Ac 17:23; 28:25-27; Ro 1:28; 1Co 2:8; 15:34; 2Co 4:3-6; 2Th 1:8; 1Jo 2:3-4 exp: Ps 69:7; Joh 16:3; Ac 13:27. General references. exp: Lu 12:52.'.

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C15-S24 (Verse 22) The results of Jesus coming.

Equivalent Section: The results of Jesus not coming.

If I had not come and spoken unto them,
they had not had sin:

Equivalent Section: The condemnation of Jesus coming

but now they have no cloke for their sin.

This sentence promises that the people spoken about in the prior sentence will not hide their sin ( but now they have no cloke for their sin).

In our First Equivalent Section we have the answer to people who ask 'What about the person in Africa who never heard about Jesus?' The truth is that God has sent His Word into all of the world more than once. In addition, the fact that all people worship some god proves that God put in all men the desire to find and worship God. In addition, Psalm 8 and other places in the Bible tell us that creation testifies of God.

However, all of that doesn't really answer their true objection. They think that they have a cloke for their sin. That is: they think they have an excuse they can hide behind when they face judgment by God. Our First Equivalent Section makes it clear that they don't. By asking the question 'What about the person in Africa who never heard about Jesus?', they testify that they personally have 'heard about Jesus'. In addition, God gave them a brain and their question shows that they have thought about Jesus. Therefore, God holds them responsible for finding the truth about what Jesus truly said.

In this Gospel, we read several times that He was asked for His witness (John 5:31-39; 8:13-19; 10:24-30; 15:22-27) that He was righteous and represented God.

Please see the note for 15:24 for a significant consideration of the phrase they had not had sin.

Please see the note for Romans C7S26 about the word sin. Please see the notes for Sin in 1John; Romans C2S4; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26 about the phrase sin unto death. The functional definition is: 'a violation of God's law' (1John 3:4). Please see the note for John 1:29 for every place in the Gospel of John where the word sin is used along with a small note about the usage.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they. Joh 3:18-21; 9:41; 12:48; 19:11; Eze 2:5; 33:31-33; Lu 12:46; Ac 17:30; 2Co 2:14-16; Heb 6:4-8; Jas 4:17 exp: Ps 34:21. cloke. or, excuse. Ro 1:20; 2:1; 1Pe 2:16 General references. exp: Lu 10:14; Joh 16:9; Jas 4:17.'.

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C15-S25 (Verse 23) The precept that applies here.
He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Here we read the basic truth stated very plainly that people can try to deny but all of their objections will be rejected when they face God in judgment. People can call themselves atheists or agnostics or anything else that they want. However, God calls them 'God haters'.

We also have the religions which claim to accept the God of the Old Testament while rejecting Jesus or claiming that He is something less than 'God in human flesh'. However, even in the Old Testament God told Samuel And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1Samuel 8:7).

The miracles that Jesus testified that He was the true messenger of God the Father (John 5:36; John 10:25; John 10:32; John 10:37-38). In addition, we have His knowledge of the Bible and the fact that He did not quote other teachers, like the religious leaders did in His day and like they do today. Further, the fact was that all of them combined could not match His knowledge, which testifies that His knowledge came from God. Beyond that, we have the Jews who lived in a culture which taught the Old Testament extensively to their children and many testified that he was God's Christ. Finally, we have the testimony of the religious leaders having Him crucified and the reasoning of one of their own in Acts 5:38-39 (And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.).

When we consider all of the evidence which the Bible gives, along with using sound reasoning, we see that all of the excuses offered by men for rejecting Jesus will not stand before the judgment seat of God. They will be judged for hating God the Father when He loved them and did all that He did to save them.

One last thing to consider is the th in the word hateth. Jesus is not talking about someone who rejected and hated Jesus for a while but then truly repented. He is speaking about people who 'keep on keeping on hating Jesus' and refuse all evidence of their need to truly Biblically repent.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 8:40-42; 1Jo 2:23; 2Jo 1:9 exp: Pr 29:27; Lu 10:14; 19:14; Joh 15:18; 16:9.'.

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C15-S26 (Verse 24) The judgment from evidence.

Equivalent Section: The presence of evidence.

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did,
they had not had sin:

Equivalent Section: The condemnation of evidence.

but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

This sentence use the phrase they had not had sin just like John 15:22 (the second prior sentence) did. The note for that sentence gives the evidence, and Bible references, which prove that people who believe that they have an excuse for their sin are either deceived or are liars. Their excuses and lies will not work when they face God in judgment and this holds true for the people of today as much as it did for the people in the day of Jesus.

In addition, to the note for that sentence, we have the note for the prior sentence which explains how He that hateth me (Jesus) hateth my Father also. Since our current sentence is a follow-up, and summary, of the two prior sentences, the evidences in the notes for those sentences also apply to this sentence. Please see those notes as what is there will not be repeated here.

Our Second Equivalent Section starts withe the word but, which makes it the polar opposite of the First Equivalent Section. The First Equivalent Section includes the phrase: they had not had sin. Therefore, the Second Equivalent Section is telling us that they have undeniable sin. It is undeniable because they both seen and hated. The Bible says that the testimony of two or three witnesses (John 8:17; 2Corinthians 13:1; Colossians C3S13) is sufficient to condemn someone in court. Here, Jesus names two witnesses (both seen and hated) against these people.

Please notice the phrase they had not had sin. It does not say that they did not do the actions of sin. In this sentence it says that they had not had sin if Jesus had not done among them the works which none other man did. In the prior sentence it says that they had not had sin if Jesus had not come and spoken unto them. In both sentences their having sin depended upon an action by Jesus. In both cases the action by Jesus made then aware that they were violating God's law (1John 3:4) before they did the sin.

What we have here is a legal principal that most people don't understand and that many people aren't even aware of. In order to do a crime, you have to do the act and be charged in court. People with diplomatic immunity can do the act but they are not charge in court. Therefore, they are not criminals. Likewise, the children of God. are not charged with sin in God's 'Criminal Court System' (great white throne system). However, they are charged in God's 'Family Court System' (judgment seat of Christ).

God is always righteous. God would not convict people of a crime if they had no idea that they were doing wrong and violating God's law. Yes, we might do some sin that we are not aware is a sin in detail, but, at least, we have a general idea of sin. Many of these Jews honestly though that they did not sin and were going to heaven because they were the descendants of Abraham and kept the religious rules. God sent them a message and a messenger and held them responsible for their actions after that even if they refused to listen. Back in 15:22 Jesus said but now they have no cloke for their sin. Likewise, since people in America have easy access to the Bible and have messages on the radio and TV and other messengers, they have no cloke for their sin. The same is true for most of the people in the world.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:4 about the word witness. Please also see the notes for 2Corinthians 13:1; Colossians C3S13 about the phrase two or three witnesses. While men define a witness as someone who sees or hears an event, the Bible also includes the ability to testify in God's court for the definition of this word. Satan is not a witness because he is a liar and not qualified to testify in God's court. Every usage within John's Gospel includes this extra qualifier. In addition, when we study the use of this word within this Gospel, we see that God punishes people who reject the witness which He sends.

This is one of several places in this Gospel where we have a witnesses given by Jesus to show that He is God. Please see the note for John 5:1 to see links to the other places.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The basic Biblical definition of work is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the words see / sight:. The functional definition is: ' perception of objects by the eye; view. This word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'If. Joh 3:2; 5:36; 7:31; 9:32; 10:32,37; 11:47-50; 12:10,37-40; Mt 9:33; 11:5,20-24; Mr 2:12; Lu 10:12-16; 19:37-40; 24:19; Ac 2:22; 10:38; Heb 2:3-4 exp: Joh 8:42; 9:41. but. Joh 6:36; 12:45; 14:9; Mt 21:32 exp: Ho 14:9; Joh 7:7. hated. Ex 20:5; De 5:9; Ps 81:15; Pr 8:36; Ro 1:30; 8:7-8; 2Ti 3:4; Jas 4:4 General references. exp: Lu 10:14; 19:14; Joh 10:37; 12:37,45; 15:18; 16:9.'.

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C15-S27 (Verse 25) The condemnation from scripture.

But this cometh to pass,
that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law,
They hated me without a cause.

Please see the note from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, which provides links for this sentence. In addition, we find the exact phrase without cause in: Job 2:3; Job 9:17; Psalms 7:4; Psalms 25:3; Psalms 35:7; Proverbs 1:11; Proverbs 3:30; Proverbs 23:29; Proverbs 24:28; Isaiah 52:4; Lamentations 3:52; Ezekiel 14:23. Further, we find the exact phrase without a cause in: 1Samuel 19:5; Psalms 35:19; Psalms 69:4; Psalms 109:3; Psalms 119:78; Psalms 119:161; Matthew 5:22; John 15:25; 1Thessalonians 2:13.

Between all of the links mentioned above, the reader should have no problem seeing the reference that Jesus spoke about. In most instances, someone like king David, or Jesus, was replacing a leader who repeatedly refused to accept correction from God. As a result, God decided to replace them and, instead of getting right with God, the leaders tried to kill their replacement.

Please see the note for Romans C15S11 about the word fulfill. The functional definition is: ' A tautological compound of full and fill. 1. To accomplish; to perform; to complete; to answer in execution or event what has been foretold or promised; as, to fulfill a prophecy or prediction; to fulfill a promise'. Please also see the note for Romans C15S11 about the word fill.

Please see the note for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12 and John 20:31-LJC about the word write. The functional definition is: 'To form by a pen on paper or other material, or by a graver on wood or stone. Things are written so that we can rely upon their not being changed over time nor for any other reason'. Please also see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. In addition, Please see the note for John 6:45 for links to where we find the phrases It is written or have ye not read.

The functional definition of the word law is: 'A written code or rule that is enforced by God or some government. In most, but not all, New Testament usages this word is used for the Mosaic Law'. Please also see the following notes about law: law of works: Romans C3S27. kinds of laws that apply to us today: Romans C3S31; 1Corinthians 9:21-LJC. Law defined: Romans C6S16; 1Corinthians C6S1. religious part of Moses' law: Hebrews 19:29-LJC. righteousness of the Law: Ephesians 4:7-LJC. Law and faith: Romans C3S25. Mosaic Law added: Galatians C3S22

Please see the note for 2Corinthians C2S5 about the word cause. The functional definition for this word is: 'A suit or action in court; any legal process which a party institutes to obtain his demand, or by which he seeks his right or his supposed right. This is a legal, scriptural and popular use of the word'. Please also see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the. Joh 10:34; 19:36; Lu 24:44; Ro 3:19 They. Ps 7:4; 35:19; 69:4; 109:3 without. Mt 10:8; Ro 3:24; 2Co 11:7; Ga 2:21; 2Th 3:8; Re 21:6; 22:17 All in Gr. exp: Ps 25:3; 35:7; 119:78; Isa 52:4; La 3:52; Mt 5:22. General references. exp: Lu 10:14; Joh 15:18; 16:9.'.

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C15-S28 (Verse 26-27) The enduring testimony left by Jesus.

Equivalent Section: The enduring testimony from God's Comforter.

But when the Comforter is come,
whom I will send unto you from the Father,
even the Spirit of truth,
which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:

Equivalent Section: The enduring testimony of true Christians.

And ye also shall bear witness,
because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Before we get into the details of this sentence, think about the phrase he shall testify of me, Which is speaking about the action of God's Holy Spirit / Comforter. How does a Spirit testify n this world if he does not do so to the person whom He indwells and he does nor speak through the person whom He indwells? Our Second Equivalent Section tells us And ye also shall bear witness. The basic doctrine of this sentence is that God's Holy Spirit / Comforter prompts the saved person to testify of Jesus Christ and helps that person to do so. So how foolish is it to expect God's Holy Spirit / Comforter to comfort you when you refuse to participate in this basic purpose for His indwelling you?

Please see the notes for John 14:16-17, John 14:26 and John 16:7 about the title of: the Comforter. Those are the only places in the Bible where we find the capitalized word Comforter. The capitalization makes this a formal name. In addition, Please see the word definitions, below, for more about the word comfort. .

Please also see the note for John 14:16, John 14:26 and John 16:7 about the title of: Spirit of truth. That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this title. These verses use the capitalized word Spirit to identify God's Holy Spirit. The Bible uses capitalization only to identify God's Holy Spirit and uses a lower-case spirit or any other type of spirit.

In addition, to those references, Please also use the links in the sentence outline, above, to access related notes in Word Studies which give further details.

Our First Equivalent Section contains the word even, which makes the title Comforter to 'have equal weight' with the title Spirit of truth. Both are titles for God's Holy Spirit. From this we can conclude that only God's truth will provide true lasting comfort. A lie might make us feel good for a short period of time, but it will eventually hurt us and the total result is not comfort.

In addition, 1John 4:1 tells us: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. if a spirit ever lies, or even refuses to tell the truth, it is not God's Holy Spirit.

Continuing on, our First Equivalent Section tells us that God's Holy Spirit proceedeth from the Father. That is: He 'keeps on keeping on coming from God the Father with things from God the Father with things which God the Father wants in our life'. As seen in the word definitions below, this word 'incorporates a series of steps which move us from one place to another'. Thus, God's Holy Spirit keeps bringing us a series of things, from God the Father, which are designed to move us from sinful selfish fleshly beings to beings who are holy and righteous like God the father is.

The last phrase, of our First Equivalent Section, is: he shall testify of me. In John 16:14 we are told He shall not speak of himself...He shall glorify me. There are several religions which magnify the spirit which guides them but it can not be God's Holy Spirit because their spirit magnifies himself and does not glorify Jesus Christ, neither does their spirit testify of Jesus Christ.

Now that we understand what God's Holy Spirit will do, we can look at what the truly saved are supposed to do. I write ' are supposed to do' because not all saved obey this Second Equivalent Section. However, as the general note for this chapter points out, the theme of our chapter is abiding love. Therefore, all saved who want to truly abide in the love of Jesus Christ shall bear witness, as our Second Equivalent Section says.

In addition, to the true meaning of the word shall, we find the word ye, which means that this action of shall bear witness is done on a personal basis and such people are not dependent upon the church in general to do their personal duty.

The next thing to pay attention to is the phrase because ye have been with me from the beginning. This applies personally (ye) to the disciples ho were there at that time and later became apostles. However, we can also see an application to today in that it takes time of being with Jesus, and spending that time to mature spiritually and be able to do the work of the ministry, before all the promises of this chapter apply to someone. Yes, some promises like the indwelling Holy Spirit are given at initial salvation. However, many of the promises in this chapter only come after time to mature spiritually.

The one last thing to note here is that our sentence starts with the word but. This sentence is telling about blessings promised to people who are nothing like the people in the prior sentence who hated me (Jesus) without a cause.

Please see the notes for Philippians 2:1 and 2Corinthians C1S2 about the word comfort. The functional definition for this word is: ' To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven'.

We find forms of the word proceed in the Bible, in: Genesis 24:50; Exodus 25:35; Numbers 30:2; Numbers 30:12; Numbers 32:24; Deuteronomy 8:3; Joshua 6:10; Judges 11:36; 1Samuel 24:13; 2Samuel 7:12; Job 36:1; Job 40:5; Ecclesiastes 10:5; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 51:4; Jeremiah 9:3; Jeremiah 30:19; Jeremiah 30:21; Lamentations 3:38; Habakkuk 1:4; Habakkuk 1:7; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 15:18; Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; Luke 4:22; John 8:42; Joh 15:26; Ac 12:3; Ephesians 4:29; 2Timothy 3:9; James 3:10; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 19:21; Revelation 22:1. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '1. To move, pass or go forward from one place to another; applied to persons or things. A man proceeds on his journey; a ship proceeds on her voyage. This word thus used implies that the motion, journey or voyage had been previously commenced, and to proceed is then to renew or continue the motion or progress. 2. To pass from one point, stage or topic to another. The preacher proceeds from one division of his subject, and the advocate from one argument, to another. 3. To issue or come as from a course or fountain. Light proceeds from the sun; vice proceeds from a depraved heart; virtuous affections proceed from God. 4. To come from a person or place. Christ says, "I proceeded forth and came from God." John 8. 5. To prosecute any design. He that proceeds on other principles in his inquiry into any sciences, posts himself in a party. 6. To be transacted or carried on. He will, after his sour fashion, tell you, What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. Not now in use. 7. To make progress; to advance. 8. To begin and carry on a series of actions or measures. The attorney was at a loss in what manner to proceed against the offender. In this sense, the word is often followed by against. 9. To transact; to act; to carry on methodically. From them I will not hide My judgments, how with mankind I proceed. 10. To have a course. This rule only proceeds and takes place, when a person cannot of common law condemn another by his sentence. 11. To issue; to be produced or propagated. From my loins thou shalt proceed. 12. To be produced by an effectual cause. All created things proceed from God.'. The functional definition for this word is: 'this word incorporates a series of sets which move us from one place to another'.

Please see the note for Galatians 5:3 about the word testify. The functional definition for this word is: 'To make a statement which is intended to be used in a court of law if necessary'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S29 about the word testament. Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:15 about the words new testament. Please also see the note for Psalms 119 about the words testimony / testimonies. The functional definition is: 'statements that are used in a court of law to judge the legality of someone's actions' . Please also see the Study called the Testimony of God

Please see the note for Romans C15S1 about the word bear. The functional definition is: 'to carry a load over a period of time'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The word beginning occurs 106 times in the Bible. The functional definition is: 'First entering upon; commencing; giving rise or original; taking rise or origin'. Please see the note for John 1:1 for a list of every place in this Gospel where this word is found.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Joh 14:16-17,26; 16:7,13-14; Lu 24:49; Ac 2:33 which. Joh 8:42; Re 22:1 he. Joh 16:14-15; Ac 2:32-33; 5:32; 15:8; 1Co 1:6; Heb 2:4; 1Jo 5:6-10 General references. exp: Heb 10:15.
ye also. Joh 21:24; Lu 24:48; Ac 1:8,21-22; 3:15; 4:20,33; 10:39-42; 13:31; 18:5; 23:11; 1Pe 5:1,12; 2Pe 1:16-18; Re 1:2,9 have. Mr 1:1; Lu 1:2-3; 1Jo 1:1-2 General references. exp: Lu 24:48.'.

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John Chapter 16

Last Supper: Jesus Explains our need for the Holy Spirit

Links to sentences in this chapter:

C16-S1 (Verse 1), C16-S2 (Verse 2), C16-S3 (Verse 3), C16-S4 (Verse 4), C16-S5 (Verse 4), C16-S6 (Verse 5), C16-S7 (Verse 6), C16-S8 (Verse 7), C16-S9 (Verse 8-11), C16-S10 (Verse 12), C16-S11 (Verse 13), C16-S12 (Verse 14), C16-S13 (Verse 15), C16-S14 (Verse 16), C16-S15 (Verse 17), C16-S16 (Verse 18), C16-S17 (Verse 18), C16-S18 (Verse 19), C16-S19 (Verse 20), C16-S20 (Verse 21), C16-S21 (Verse 22), C16-S22 (Verse 23), C16-S23 (Verse 23), C16-S24 (Verse 24), C16-S25 (Verse 25), C16-S26 (Verse 26-27), C16-S27 (Verse 28), C16-S28 (Verse 29), C16-S29 (Verse 30), C16-S30 (Verse 31), C16-S31 (Verse 32), C16-S32 (Verse 33), C16-S33 (Verse 33)'.

Chapter Outline

This chapter warns of future persecution but also tells about the work of the Holy Spirit and His help in times of need.

In this chapter we see Jesus prophesy a couple of failures by His disciples. We also see Him say that he is not upset by their failures because He relied upon God the Father. He also promises God's Holy Spirit to indwell believers. Just as he relied upon God the Father, the saved are to rely upon God's Holy Spirit. What is acceptable without the help of God's Holy Spirit is not acceptable after people receive the indwelling.

In addition, to the prophecies, Jesus tells of changes that will come in the 'Church age'. Therefore, a lot of this chapter is telling us about changes that God will bring in as a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Please see the Doctrinal Study called Significant Gospel Events for links to prophecies found in the Gospels.

C16-S1: Jesus explains why He told them the things which He said.
C16-S2: Jesus explains why they will feel offended.
C16-S3: Jesus explains why people will do this.
C16-S4: Jesus reminds them why He explained things.
C16-S5: Jesus says why He waited to tell them.
C16-S6: Jesus says He will return to God the Father.
C16-S7: Their reaction to what Jesus said.
C16-S8: Why it is better for them if He leaves.
C16-S9: What God's Holy Spirit will do.
C16-S10: Why some things can not be revealed until later.
C16-S11: The job of What God's Holy Spirit.
C16-S12: The purpose of What God's Holy Spirit.
C16-S13: The source of spiritual gifts.
C16-S14: What will happen in the near future.
C16-S15: Some disciples express confusion.
C16-S16: Some are confused about the time factor.
C16-S17: They don't understand.
C16-S18: Jesus called them on asking each other.
C16-S19: Jesus predicts the reaction to His death.
C16-S20: Jesus provides an analogy.
C16-S21: The application of the analogy.
C16-S22: First result of their future sorrow and joy.
C16-S23: Second result of their future sorrow and joy.
C16-S24: Ask in the name of Jesus.
C16-S25: Teaching by Jesus.
C16-S26: A new way to pray.
C16-S27: The summary of the physical life of Jesus.
C16-S28: The reaction by the disciples.
C16-S29: The results from faith.
C16-S30: Question based upon prior profession.
C16-S31: Jesus prophesies the scattering of the disciples.
C16-S32: Where we are to put our trust.
C16-S33: Prophecy of future tribulation and the solution to it.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-22. Christ comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Ghost, and his ascension;
23-32. assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable.
33. Peace in Christ, and in the world affliction.'.

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C16-S1 (Verse 1) Jesus explains why He told them the things which He said.

These things have I spoken unto you,
that ye should not be offended.

Please notice the should not in our sentence. Jesus knows that they will be offended. He gave a couple of prophecies in the last chapter which shows that He knew their reaction before they had it. Jesus did not say 'I told you so', at a later time. However, 16:4 tells us But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. He did not say it later as a rebuke, but said it now so that they would think about what He said. He knew that they would think it and be more careful to listen to what He actually said so that they could avoid a repeat performance.

The phrase These things have I spoken unto you is referencing the two prior chapters where He told them to keep His commandments and to stay in His abiding love. These are the two basic things which all saved need to do in order to get God's help while experiencing 'terrible conditions'.

Following this sentence, Jesus will tell them of worse 'terrible conditions' which they will experience. Since He knows what they will go through in the future, while He is in heaven, He is doing what He can to prepare them ahead of time. Likewise, a lot of the time when saved people are complaining, they should be thanking God for preparing them for worse experiences before they have them.

Please note that all of the sentences from 16:3 through 16:11 start with connecting words. This means that all of those sentences are connected to 16:2. In addition, 16:1 introduces the subject of these other sentences. Therefore, all of these sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together for contextual purposes.

Please see the note for John 6:61 about the word offend. The functional definition is: 'To disPlease; to make angry; to affront'. Please also see the note for Romans C14S27 about the word offence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 16:4; 15:11; Mt 11:6; 13:21,57; 24:10; 26:31-33; Ro 14:21; Php 1:10; 1Pe 2:8 exp: Mt 24:25.'.

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C16-S2 (Verse 2) Jesus explains why they will feel offended.

Equivalent Section: They will be rejected by traditional religion.

They shall put you out of the synagogues:

Equivalent Section: They will be killed.

yea,
the time cometh,
that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

As explained in the note for the first sentence of this chapter, Jesus is telling His disciples things which they can not understand nor accept at this time. However, He is telling them these things so that when they experience them, at a later time, they will be prepared. He is also telling them these things while He can still speak as 'just a human man' and before His resurrection when there is no denying that He is 'God in human flesh'.

At this point in their lives they were disciples of Jesus, but they had not caused the hatred that Jesus, had and they couldn't imagine doing that. Remember that they had not yet received God's Holy Spirit, and could not, in their fleshly mind, imagine themselves being to do what Jesus, had done, even though He had said that they would do greater works (John 14:12).

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections that tell us two different ways that the religious community, who claim to be children of God, will reject messengers with the true message of God. In addition, they will be led to do this by the religious leaders who are supposed to lead God's people into accepting and obeying the message from God. This is not unique. In Matthew 23:31; Matthew 23:34; Matthew 23:37; Luke 11:47 and Luke 13:34, Jesus said that Jerusalem had killed the prophets. Therefore, this prophecy only says that lost religious people will continue to act the same way and earn their condemnation by God.

One last thing to note is the usage of cometh and killeth in our sentence. The th as a suffix on these action verbs means that these actions will 'keep on keeping on happening'. Lots of people like to think that the time of persecution, by churches which claim to worship God, is in the past. However, our sentence indicates that it will continue all the way through the great tribulation when the same is done to God's two great witnesses. Only the return of Christ will end this travesty.

Our next sentence starts with the word and, which adds it to this sentence. It explains why this sentence is true and remains true throughout all history. Please also see it, and the associated note, for contextual considerations.

Please see the note for John 6:59 about the word synagogue. The functional definition for this word is: 'The word synagogue (sunagoge), which means a "congregation," is used in the New Testament to signify a recognized place of worship. '.

Please see the note for Romans C13S12 about the word kill. The functional definition is: 'To deprive of life, animal or vegetable, in any manner or by any means'.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:4-6 about the word think. The functional definition is: 'To have the mind occupied on some subject; to have ideas, or to revolve ideas in the mind'.

Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service. The functional definition is: ' In a general sense, labor of body or of body and mind, performed at the command of a superior, or the pursuance of duty, or for the benefit of another'. Please see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'shall. Joh 9:22,34; 12:42; Lu 6:22; 1Co 4:13 exp: 2Ti 3:12. the time. Isa 65:5; Mt 10:28; 24:9; Ac 5:33; 6:13-14; 7:56-60; 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 22:3-4,19-23; 26:9-11; Ro 10:2-3; Ga 1:13-14; Php 3:6 General references. exp: Le 13:29; Jg 17:13; Job 13:7; Lu 12:52.'.

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C16-S3 (Verse 3) Jesus explains why people will do this.

And these things will they do unto you,
because they have not known the Father,
nor me.

Our sentence starts with the word and, which adds it to the prior sentence. It explains why the prior sentence is true and remains true throughout all history. Please also see the prior sentence, and the associated note, for contextual considerations.

Most of the people who will do the persecution will deny the truth of this sentence. As we have seen many places in the Bible, the word know includes 'a personal intimate knowledge' such as Genesis 4:1 and Genesis 4:251 tell us when they say Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son.

Most religions tell people that they can replace the 'a personal intimate knowledge of God' with religious knowledge and ceremonies. However, in order to get the truth that God wrote in the Bible, we must use God's definitions for God's words. This difference in definitions is why Jesus said they have not known the Father, nor me even though the religious experts deny the truth of this sentence and even claim to be experts on the Father and Jesus.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'because. Joh 8:19,55; 15:21,23; 17:3,25; Lu 10:22; 1Co 2:8; 2Co 4:3-6; 2Th 1:8; 2:10-12; 1Ti 1:13; 1Jo 3:1; 4:8; 5:20 exp: Ac 13:27. General references. exp: Le 13:29.'.

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C16-S4 (Verse 4) Jesus reminds them why He explained things.

But these things have I told you,
that when the time shall come,
ye may remember that I told you of them.

Our sentence starts with the word but, which connects it to the prior sentence while going a different way. Here Jesus is, effectively, saying: 'I told you so'. But, He isn't doing it like most people say this thing. He is giving them the prophecy before they experience it so that they can prepare their hearts and react in a Godly way. God only gives prophecies so that, when they are fulfilled, we will have greater faith in God and will give the glory to God.

By telling the disciples this prophecy, Jesus is preparing them to respond in a way which shows God's help through their experience and give glory to God because of that help.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'that when. Joh 13:19; 14:29; Isa 41:22-23; Mt 10:7; 24:25; Mr 13:23; Lu 21:12-13; Ac 9:16; 20:23-24; 2Pe 1:14 General references. exp: Lu 22:10; Joh 16:1.'.

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C16-S5 (Verse 4) Jesus says why He waited to tell them.

And these things I said not unto you at the beginning,
because I was with you.

Our sentence starts with and, which connects it to the prior sentence and gives us another reason why Jesus is telling them these things at this time. While Jesus was on the Earth, the religious leaders attacked Him and left the disciples alone. However, as seen in the book of Acts, and elsewhere in the new Testament, the apostles and other disciples were attacked when the religious leaders could no longer attack Jesus. Therefore, they did not need to have this information, which would cause them to worry, before Jesus was getting ready to leave this Earth.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'because. Joh 17:12-13; Mt 9:15; Mr 2:19 General references. exp: Lu 22:10; Joh 16:1.'.

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C16-S6 (Verse 5) Jesus says He will return to God the Father.

First Step: Jesus says what he will do.

But now I go my way to him that sent me;

Second Step: None asked Him for clarity.

and none of you asketh me,
Whither goest thou?

Our sentence starts with but, which connects this sentence to the prior while going in a different direction. In the prior sentences Jesus gave them a prophecy of their being rejected and killed. He also said that they did not need this prophecy earlier because he was with them and it would not come true until after he returned to my Father. Now, our sentence says that this time is at hand. Therefore, now is when they need to receive the prophecy.

The Second Step of our sentence tells us that none of the disciples asked Jesus for clarity. I believe that it was mainly that all of the information which Jesus gave them was overwhelming. Sometimes, we need to process information before we can ask an intelligent question. However, I'm sure that Jesus knew this. However, He said this second Step to lead into the next few sentences where He tells them about how He has already met their future need.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S17 and Psalms 119 about the word way. The functional definition is: 'how we get from where we are at to our destination'.

Please see the note for John 13:36 about the word Whither. The functional definition for this word is: 'continually seeking many places or going to another place and remaining there, not returning'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I. Joh 16:10,16,28 6:62 7:33 13:3 14:28 17:4,13 Eph 4:7-11; Heb 1:3; 12:2 Whither. Joh 13:36; 14:4-6 exp: Zec 2:2.'.

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C16-S7 (Verse 6) Their reaction to what Jesus said.

But because I have said these things unto you,
sorrow hath filled your heart.

Again, our sentence starts with the word but, which means that the subject of the prior sentence is continued while going in a different direction. Jesus has given His disciples a prophecy to help them in their future time of need. However, instead of being happy and grateful for future needs being met, sorrow hath filled your heart because of near-time loss. They didn't understand all that Jesus said to them but they understood that He was leaving them.

Our next sentence starts with Nevertheless and transitions into Jesus telling them about the Comforter Who will replace Jesus as the means whereby God interacts with them personally. Therefore, we continue to see the importance of considering context when trying to understand what the Bible actually says

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:27 about the word sorrow. The functional definition for this word is: 'The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good. or of frustrated hopes of good, or expected loss of happiness'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S11 about the word fill. The functional definition for this word is: ', to put or pour in, till the thing will hold no more'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S11 and Galatians C5-S15 about the word fulfill. The functional definition for this word is: 'A tautological compound of full and fill. 1. To accomplish; to perform; to complete; to answer in execution or event what has been foretold or promised'. Please see the note for Philippians 4:18 about the word full. The functional definition for this word is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2S6 about the word fullness.

Please see the note for Romans C10S6; 2Corinthians C2S4 and Colossians C2S1 about the word heart. The functional definition for this word is: 'Our heart controls the same things as our soul only where the soul deals with the long term the heart deals with the short term and we control our heart directly while the soul is the accumulated actions of our heart. Both are the way we think (mind), the way we emotionally respond to circumstances (emotions) and the method we use to make decisions (will)'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S6 about the phrase LORD looketh on the heart. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S8 about the phrase wicked heart.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 16:20-22; 14:1,27-28; 20:11-15; Lu 22:45; 24:17'.

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C16-S8 (Verse 7) Why it is better for them if He leaves.

Equivalent Section: It is better for them if He leaves.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth;
It is expedient for you that I go away:

Equivalent Section: Why.

First Step: Why He has to leave.

for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come unto you;

Second Step: What it is better if He leaves.

but if I depart,
I will send him unto you.

As explained in the Word Study on Truth, they are going into a time of extended conflict between the spiritual point of view and the physical point of view. Jesus is telling them that the spiritual point of view is truth.

Our sentence starts with Nevertheless and starts a series of sentences which tell us a truth that is more important than anything said in the prior sentences. In the prior sentences, Jesus told them things which would be very upsetting, especially if they looked at the circumstances from a physical point of view. However, He now starts telling them truth which makes the prior not matter and the main reason that it will not matter can only be understood from a spiritual perspective.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section saying that the change is better suited for accomplishing God's purpose. The Second Equivalent Section tells us how this better way will be accomplished.

Please look at the word definitions, below, for the definition of the word expedient. Hence, Jesus was not saying that they would like the changes and was not saying that the changes were better in any way other than doing a better job of accomplishing God's purpose and giving them greater eternal rewards.

1Peter 3:21-4:2 explain the reason why our current sentence tells us it is expedient for you that I go away. There we are told that Jesus Christ is in heaven representing us, not so that we can sin, but so that we no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

In addition, to that thought, Joel 2:28-32 tells us that God gave us better promises. These were explained by Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-21. This is a fulfillment of the promise in this sentence.

A lot of people don't understand a truth which is the basis of what Jesus says here. Colossians 3:3 says: For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. The Bible teaches that the purpose of our current life is serve God and lay up treasure in heaven. The more we lay up treasure in heaven, the more we will enjoy eternity. When our sentence says It is expedient for you, Jesus is telling them that they will accomplish more for God, and more for their eternal results, if He goes away.

Our Second Equivalent Section tells us why this is true. They will be able to do far more once they have the indwelling Holy Spirit. In addition, since God the Father determined to work through men, eleven of them will be able to do more that a single man, even if he is Jesus.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians 11:11 and Philippians 1:23-24 about the word Nevertheless. The functional definition for this word is: 'Not the less; notwithstanding; that is, in opposition to any thing, or without regarding it. It rained, nevertheless, we proceeded on our journey; we did not the less proceed on our journey; we proceeded in opposition to the rain, without regarding it, or without being prevented'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C6S18 about the word expedient. The functional definition for this word is: 'hastening; urging forward. Hence, tending to promote the object proposed; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances'.

Please also see the notes for John 14:16, John 14:26 and John 15:26 about the title of: the Comforter. Please see the word definitions, below, for more about the word comfort.

Please see the notes for Philippians 2:1 and 2Corinthians C1S2 about the word comfort. The functional definition for this word is: ' To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:8 about the word depart. The functional definition is: 'To go or move from'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I tell. Joh 8:45-46; Lu 4:25; 9:27; Ac 10:34 It. Joh 11:50-52; 14:3,28; Ro 8:28; 2Co 4:17 the Comforter. Joh 7:39; 14:16-17,26; 15:26 but. Ps 68:18; Lu 24:49; Ac 1:4-5; 2:33; Eph 4:8-13 exp: Joh 12:8. General references. exp: Php 1:24.'.

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C16-S9 (Verse 8-11) What God's Holy Spirit will do.

Equivalent Section: He will reprove.

And when he is come,
he will reprove the world of sin,
and of righteousness,
and of judgment:

Equivalent Section: Why reprove.

First Step: Why reprove sin.

Of sin,
because they believe not on me;

Second Step: Why reprove righteousness.

Of righteousness,
because I go to my Father,
and ye see me no more;

Third Step: Why reprove judgment.

Of judgment,
because the prince of this world is judged.

In addition, this sentence transitions into the next subject, which tells us about God's Holy Spirit and His ministry. That subject is covered through 16:15. Therefore, all of those sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together for context.

This sentence, and parts of it, are often preached. Therefore, I will not try to match the preaching but will stick to the interpretation and let the reader find applications elsewhere.

Our sentence starts with and, which adds it to the prior sentence. The contextual needs have already been mentioned but the important, specific, thing to pay attention to is that the Comforter will make things expedient for us, and for the job which God has given to us, by doing the things stated in this sentence. Therefore, if we don't let God's Holy Spirit do these things through our personal life then He can't make His work expedient for our personal life. In addition, if we don't let God's Holy Spirit do these things through our personal life then He can't help us when we are rejected by religious people, like earlier sentences of this chapter warned. However, it is doubtful if people will suffer persecution, like the earlier sentences mentioned, because, without the ministry of God's Holy Spirit in our personal life, we can not live Godly as 2Timothy 3:12 requires.

Moving on to the context of the next few sentences, we see that our current sentence tells us what God's Holy Spirit will do while the sentences following this one tell us how He will do these things. There are many religions that claim to be led by the spirit, but the spirit which leads them doesn't act like our next few sentences say. Therefore, we can know that their spirit, is not God's Holy Spirit.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section giving us a summary statement of what God's Holy Spirit will do. The Second Equivalent Section gives us a different reason (because) for each action taken by God's Holy Spirit.

The First Equivalent Section uses the action verb of reprove. If the reader truly compares the definition, in the word definitions below, to the actions of religious groups which claim to be 'led by the spirit', they must conclude that the 'spirit', which these people are 'led by' can not be led by God's Holy Spirit. To the best of my knowledge, these groups always excuse sin, reject judgment and are self-righteous. One 'praise and worship team', which I personally witnessed with another preacher, led the group in 'speaking in tongues', as a group, and sang how they did what they did 'by the power of the air'. Ephesians 2:2 makes it clear that the prince of the power of the air is Satan.

One important thing to keep in mind is that our sentence says that God's Holy Spirit will reprove the world. It's easy for God's people to think 'That's other people'. However, when God's people think and act like the world, His ministry is also applied to God's people.

Moving on to our second Equivalent Section, we see three Steps with each Step giving us a reason why God's Holy Spirit will reprove. each of the three things mentioned within this sentence. The fact that these are Steps means that God's Holy Spirit will reprove these things in the order in which they appear.

God's Holy Spirit first reproves sin because people often do not realize that they are 'violating God's law'. In addition, many sins are understood to be wrong by the world. Therefore, this is the simplest, of the three, to reprove.

Our First Step tells us that God's Holy Spirit reproves sin because people believe not on me (Jesus). Therefore, they are lost and heading to Hell, even if they are religious. Therefore, for many reasons, we need to get people truly saved by having them believe on me (Jesus). After they have the indwelling Holy Spirit, He can reprove their sin and change their life to stop sinning.

Next, God's Holy Spirit reproves righteousness. Even people who have nothing to do with church can understand that sin is wrong. However, few people consider righteousness before they get involved with a religion. When they get involved with a wrong religion, they are taught self-righteousness, which God's Holy Spirit reproves. Just as God's Holy Spirit reproves sin so that people will stop their sinning, God's Holy Spirit also reproves self-righteousness so that religious people will abandon the false and get true righteousness which only comes when God's people will allow God to work in and through their personal life.

Notice that our Second Step says that God's Holy Spirit reproves the world of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more. When Jesus was in the world people could see His miracles and believe He spoke for God the Father when He spoke about righteousness. When Thomas refused to believe unless he saw, Jesus dealt with his doubt and then said Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29). Many people like to criticize Thomas and proclaim their own righteousness, but if they won't live and walk by faith, then they do not have God's righteousness, If such are truly a child of God, then God's Holy Spirit will reprove them of righteousness.

Our Third Step tells us that God's Holy Spirit reproves judgment. There are many religions in this world which tell people there will be no judgment. Others tell people that any judgment by God must be according to their religious rules. However, our Step says because the prince of this world is judged. If Satan can't avoid God's judgment, and can't change the rules that God uses in judgment, then neither can any less powerful being such as a man or even any group of men no matter how large such a group is.

Please see the note for Ephesians C5S7 about the word reprove. The functional definition is: 'To blame; to censure; to prove again that deeds are wrong'. That note has links to other places where this word is used and the application of each of those places.

Please see the notes for Romans C3S7 and Romans C1S16 about the word unrighteousness. The functional definition is: 'anything that is not righteous with that word defined below'. Please also see the note for Romans C2S5 about the phrase obeying unrighteousness. Please see the notes for Romans C1S10 and Galatians C2-S16 about the word righteous / righteousness. The functional definition is: 'doing the right thing, as defined by God, the right way and at the right time with the right purpose'. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:9-11 and James 3:18 about the phrase fruit of righteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C4S7 about the phrase imputeth righteousness. Please also see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the phrase righteousness of the Law.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; 1Corinthians 1:10 and Revelation 19:1-LJC about the word judge. The functional definition is: 'To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S5 and Ephesians C5S6 about the phrase judge, we are to. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the notes for Romans C2S2; Philippians 1:9-11 and Psalms 119 about the word judgment. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S16 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat of Christ. Please also see the notes for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S15; 1Corinthians C14S25 and Galatians C3-S8 about the word believe. The functional definition is: 'To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. All true Biblical belief results in action based upon that belief'. Please see the notes for Romans 3:26-LJC and John 20:31-LJC about the phrase believe in Jesus / Christ. Please see the note for John 6:40 about the phrase believe on. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where we find forms of this phrase along with an explanation of the usage. Please also see the note for John 12:42 which also has links to every place, in this Gospel, where we find the phrase believe in and the difference in definitions between believe in and believe on.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C2S5 about the word prince. The functional definition for this word is: 'One of the highest levels of rulers but not the very highest level'. That note also explains several Biblical titles for different princes. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S40 and Ephesians C6S8 about the word principalities.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he will. Zec 12:10; Ac 2:37; 16:29-30 reprove. or, convince. Joh 8:9,46; 1Co 14:24; Jude 1:15
General references. Joh 3:18-21; 5:40-44; 8:23-24,42-47; 12:47-48; 15:22-25; Mr 16:16; Ac 2:22-38; 3:14-19; 7:51-54; 26:9-10; Ro 3:19-20; 7:9; 1Th 2:15-16; 1Ti 1:13; Heb 3:12; 10:28-29
righteousness. Isa 42:21; 45:24-25; Jer 23:5-6; Da 9:24; Ac 2:32; Ro 1:17; 3:21-26; 5:17-21; 8:33-34; 10:3-4; 1Co 1:30; 15:14-20; 2Co 5:21; Ga 5:5; Php 3:7-9; 1Ti 3:16; Heb 10:5-13 exp: Ps 98:2. because. Joh 3:14; 5:32
judgment. Joh 5:22-27; Mt 12:18,36; Ac 10:42; 17:30-31; 24:25; 26:18; Ro 2:2-4,16; 14:10-12; 1Co 4:5; 6:3-4; 2Co 5:10-11; Heb 6:2; 9:27; 2Pe 2:4-9; 3:7; Re 1:7; 20:11-15 the. Joh 12:31; 14:30; Ge 3:15; Ps 68:18; Isa 49:24-26; Lu 10:18; Ro 16:20; 2Co 4:4; Eph 2:2; Col 2:15; Heb 2:14; 1Jo 3:8; Re 12:7-10; 20:2-3,10'.

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C16-S10 (Verse 12) Why some things can not be revealed until later.

I have yet many things to say unto you,
but ye cannot bear them now.

16:8 through 16:15 tell us about God's Holy Spirit and His ministry. Therefore, all of those sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together for context.

The sentence before this one told about the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to the world. The sentence after this one tells about the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to saved. This sentence is between the two because Jesus is telling why He is leaving some things for God's Holy Spirit to reveal.

The more important phrase of our sentence is the second one which says but ye cannot bear them now. Many people get caught up in false prophecy and seeking revelation from false spirits because they are not willing to spiritually mature to the point that they can bear the truth.

Here we see that God only reveals things when we are able to bear them. This truth is called 'progressive revelation'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S1 about the word bear. The functional definition is: 'to carry a load over a period of time'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'yet. Joh 14:30; 15:15; Ac 1:3 ye. Mr 4:33; 1Co 3:1-2; Heb 5:11-14'.

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C16-S11 (Verse 13) The job of What God's Holy Spirit.

Equivalent Section: What God's Holy Spirit will do.

Howbeit when he,
the Spirit of truth,
is come,
he will guide you into all truth:

Equivalent Section: How God's Holy Spirit will do things.

First Step: What God's Holy Spirit will not do.

for he shall not speak of himself;

Second Step: What God's Holy Spirit will say.

but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak:

Third Step: What God's Holy Spirit will reveal.

and he will shew you things to come.

16:8 through 16:15 tell us about God's Holy Spirit and His ministry. Therefore, all of those sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together for context.

The second prior sentence told us about the ministry that God's Holy Spirit has to the world. The prior sentence told us why Jesus could not reveal some things, at that time, but left the revelation to God's Holy Spirit. Now, this sentence, and the next, tell us about the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to the saved.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us what God's Holy Spirit will do and the Second Equivalent Section telling us How He will do it.

Our First Equivalent Section tells us that God's Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. Therefore, anyone who believes a lie, or believes doctrinal error, did not receive that belief from God's Holy Spirit. Since there are devils who claim to be God's Holy Spirit, God's people need to be able to tell the difference between God's Holy Spirit and a lying devil.

One thing to remember is that John 4:23-24 told us But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Please see the Doctrinal Message called God is a Spirit for more on this doctrine.) What we get, when we combine these two references, is that God's Holy Spirit is to guide you into all truth, including how to properly worship God. This will not be some flesh fulfilling emotional lie which is passed off as 'spirit worship' but will be in keeping with the truth of the Bible.

Our Second Equivalent Section has three Steps, which means that God's Holy Spirit will do these things in the order of the Steps. Any spirit which does not follow these Steps is not God's Holy Spirit.

Our first Step says he shall not speak of himself. Any religion which tells us to worship the spirit can not be God's Holy Spirit because requesting worship requires speak of himself.

Our Second Step tells us that God's Holy Spirit delivers messages from God the Father and the Son of God. Any so-called message which goes against their character or against the written word of God is not from God's Holy Spirit.

Our Second Step tells us that God's Holy Spirit will provide true revelation. Anyone who claims a prophecy which does not match the written word of God, or goes against the limits which God provides for identifying a true prophet, is 'not from God's Holy Spirit.

We find forms of the word guide occurring in 31 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthew 23:16; Matthew 23:24; Luke 1:79; John 16:13; Acts 1:16; Acts 8:31; Romans 2:19 and 1Tiothy 5:14. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'GUIDE, v.t. gide. 1. To lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path; as, to guide an enemy or a traveler, who is not acquainted with the road or course. The meek will he guide in judgment. Ps.25. 2. To direct; to order. He will guide his affairs with discretion. Ps.112, 3. To influence; to give direction to. Men are guided by their interest, or supposed interest. 4. To instruct and direct. Let parents guide their children to virtue, dignity and happiness. 5. To direct; to regulate and manage; to superintend. I will that the younger women marry, bear children, and guide the house. 1 Tim.5.
GUIDE, n. 1. A person who leads or directs another in his way or course; a conductor. The army followed the guide. The traveler may be deceived by his guide. 2. One who directs another in his conduct or course of life. He will be our guide, even unto death. Ps.48. 3. A director; a regulator; that which leads or conducts. Experience is one of our best guides.'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. This word is the Biblical spelling for what is commonly spelled show today. The functional definition is: 'To exhibit or present to the view of others'. Our sentence actually uses the word shewest which means 'a never-ending sight'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Spirit. Joh 14:17; 15:26; 1Jo 4:6 will guide. Joh 14:26; 1Co 2:10-13; Eph 4:7-15; 1Jo 2:20,27 for. Joh 3:32; 7:16-18; 8:38; 12:49 he will shew. Joe 2:28; Ac 2:17-18; 11:28; 20:23; 21:9-11; 27:24; 2Th 2:3,12; 1Ti 4:1-3; 2Ti 3:1-5; 2Pe 2; Re 1:1,19; 6; 22'.

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C16-S12 (Verse 14) The purpose of What God's Holy Spirit.

Equivalent Section: Glorify Jesus.

He shall glorify me:

Equivalent Section: Pass gifts to the saints.

for he shall receive of mine,
and shall shew it unto you.

16:8 through 16:15 tell us about God's Holy Spirit and His ministry. Therefore, all of those sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together for context.

Our sentence starts with and, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences are telling us about the ministry of God's Holy Spirit to God's people. (Please see the note for 16:8-11 about His ministry to the world.)

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us that God's Holy Spirit shall glorify me (Jesus). This is opposed to what we were told in our prior sentence (which this sentence is added to), which said he shall not speak of himself. Therefore, people who try to glorify God's Holy Spirit and people who glorify God the Father to the exclusion of glorifying Jesus are rejecting the true ministry of God's Holy Spirit. When they claim to be led by a spirit, you can be sure that the spirit leading them is a devil.

In our Second Equivalent Section we are told how God's Holy Spirit. ministers to the truly saved. Our first phrase says he shall receive of mine. Without going into all of the references, I will say that a Biblical doctrine is that God the Father provides all of the power for everything which is done. (Please see the next sentence for this Biblical truth.) God the Son receives the power from God the Father and determines what gift to give to each saved person and how much to give each time that something is given. This is based upon our personal relationship with Him. He knows what each of us needs and how much we can handle and when best to give us each gift. God's Holy Spirit. then takes what is provided by the Lord Jesus Christ, for an individual at a given time ( he shall receive of mine) and then delivers it to the saved person.

Please note that while God's Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity Who delivers all gifts (healings, revelations, etc), it is the Lord Jesus Christ Who determines what each of us receives. God the Father does not make those decisions (John 3:35; John 13:3). Therefore, these people who reject Jesus Christ are not receiving anything from God. Therefore, anything spiritual which they receive must come from a devil.

In addition, to that consideration, we see that what we receive from God depends upon our personal relationship with Jesus Christ (receive of mine). A child that throws tantrums in public and tries to embarrass and manipulate their parent will receive a totally different response from a Godly parent than a child who is respectful and obedient. One reason that God gives people children is so that they can learn how Jesus Christ feels about the way that they treat Him.

With that said, we need to consider our last phrase of: and shall shew it unto you. Please notice that the verb is not give. God shows us opportunities but we, of our own free will, must accept them. God never takes away anyone's free will and especially never takes away the free will of His children. The devil and sin take away our free will, but not God. Any doctrine which claims otherwise is from a devil. Therefore, many times God's children miss out on the gifts which God offers because they do not take what is offered to them, such as an opportunity to do some unique form of ministry.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians 2:6-7 about the word receive. The functional definition is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'glorify. Joh 16:9-10; Ac 2:32-36; 4:10-12; 1Co 12:3; 1Pe 1:10-12; 2:7; 1Jo 4:1-3,13-14; 5:6 for. Joh 15:26; Zec 12:10; 1Co 2:8-10; 2Co 3:14-18; 4:6; Ga 5:5; 1Jo 3:23-24; 4:13-14; 5:20; Re 19:10'.

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C16-S13 (Verse 15) The source of spiritual gifts.

Equivalent Section: God the Father gave to Jesus.

All things that the Father hath are mine:

Equivalent Section: Jesus gives to us through God's Holy Spirit.

therefore said I,
that he shall take of mine,
and shall shew it unto you.

16:8 through 16:15 tell us about God's Holy Spirit and His ministry. Therefore, all of those sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together for context.

The doctrine of this sentence was discussed in the note for the prior sentence. God the Father provides. Lord Jesus Christ decides who gets what, how much and when. God's Holy Spirit shows these gifts to the child of God. The child of God accepts or rejects the gift of God.

The phrase therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you is a direct reference to the prior sentence where we read he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Joh 3:35; 10:29-30; 13:3; 17:2,10; Mt 11:27; 28:18; Lu 10:22; Col 1:19; 2:3,9'.

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C16-S14 (Verse 16) What will happen in the near future.

Equivalent Section: Jesus will die and be buried.

A little while,
and ye shall not see me:

Equivalent Section: Jesus will rise from the grave.

and again,
a little while,
and ye shall see me,
because I go to the Father.

This sentence is another of the prophecies made by Jesus Christ. Please use this link to see all of the prophecies which I have located. (These are not from someone else. Therefore, some other reference may have different, or more, prophecies identified.)

As seen in the titles of the sentence outline, Jesus is prophesying His own death, burial, resurrection and ascension.

This sentence is His concluding remarks about he ministry of God's Holy Spirit. In the prior sentences He said that the ministry of God's Holy Spirit. would not happen until after he went away (16:7). in this sentence He is saying that this change will happen in a little while

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'A. Joh 16:5,10,17-19; 7:33; 12:35; 13:33; 14:19 a little while. Joh 20:19-29; 21:1-23; Ac 1:3; 10:40-41; 1Co 15:5-9 because. Joh 16:28; 13:3; 17:5,13; Mr 16:19; Heb 12:2'.

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C16-S15 (Verse 17) Some disciples express confusion.

Equivalent Section: Some disciples express confusion over first part.

Then said some of his disciples among themselves,
What is this that he saith unto us,
A little while,
and ye shall not see me:

Equivalent Section: Some disciples express confusion over second part.

and again,
a little while,
and ye shall see me:

Equivalent Section: Some disciples express confusion over third part.

and,
Because I go to the Father?

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections which all tell us about the confusion that the disciples had over what Jesus told them. The differences between the three Equivalent Sections is the exact saying of Jesus which caused a particular disciple confusion.

In addition, to this sentence, the next two sentences show more questions caused by confusion.

Here we see the cause of much doctrinal error and confusion. Instead of asking Jesus for clarification, they asked each other. 1Corinthians 2:14 says But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.. Any time we seek to understand a spiritual message using natural sources we will end up with confusion and error. In C16-S18 through C16-S18 we see the spiritual answer from Jesus. The application of these sentences is that we need to get our answers from the right source or we will end up with confusion and error.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'said. Joh 16:1,5,19; 12:16; 14:5,22; Mr 9:10,32; Lu 9:45; 18:34 General references. exp: Lu 9:45.'.

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C16-S16 (Verse 18) Some are confused about the time factor.

They said therefore,
What is this that he saith,
A little while?

Our sentence is the second of three sentences which all tell us about the confusion that the disciples had over what Jesus told them.

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C16-S17 (Verse 18) They don't understand.
we cannot tell what he saith.

Our sentence is the third of three sentences which all tell us about the confusion that the disciples had over what Jesus told them.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'we. Mt 16:9-11; Lu 24:25; Heb 5:12 General references. exp: Lu 9:45.'.

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C16-S18 (Verse 19) Jesus called them on asking each other.

Equivalent Section: He called them on asking about His disappearance.

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him,
and said unto them,
Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said,
A little while,
and ye shall not see me:

Equivalent Section: He called them on asking about His appearance.

and again,
a little while,
and ye shall see me?

The prior three sentences expressed the confusion that the disciples had over what Jesus told them. This sentence is the first of several we see the spiritual answer from Jesus. This answer goes through C16-S27. One application of the sentences shows that the source of confusion is seeking answers in the wrong place. The answer from Jesus shows that we need to get our answers from the right source or we will end up with confusion and error.

As explained in the note for this sentence in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, the next few sentences show us how Jesus understood their feelings and shows His disciples how to deal with confusion without embarrassing others.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Section where Jesus identified two of the questions which the disciples had. In addition, our First Equivalent Section tells us that Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him. When we look at His answer in the next few sentences we see that He answered them without embarrassing them about asking each other instead of asking Him.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:23 about the word inquire. The functional definition is: ' To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by asking questions'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Jesus. Joh 16:30; 2:24-25; 21:17; Ps 139:1-4; Mt 6:8; 9:4; Mr 9:33-34; Heb 4:13; Re 2:23 A little. Joh 16:16; 7:33; 13:33; 14:19'.

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C16-S19 (Verse 20) Jesus predicts the reaction to His death.

Equivalent Section: Jesus predicts the reaction of different groups.

Verily,
verily,
I say unto you,
That ye shall weep and lament,
but the world shall rejoice:

Equivalent Section: Jesus predicts eventual joy.

and ye shall be sorrowful,
but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

This sentence is part of the answer from Jesus to the confusion that the disciples had over what he said earlier. This answer goes from C16-S18 through C16-S27. In this answer we see a prophecy and promises for people who truly serve God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Please see the Study called Significant Gospel Events for other prophecies and promises found in the Gospels.)

One application of the sentences shows that the source of confusion is seeking answers in the wrong place. The answer from Jesus shows that we need to get our answers from the right source or we will end up with confusion and error. That is why there is so much doctrinal error and confusion about unfulfilled Bible prophecy today. In this particular case, the confusion was caused by as prophecy, given earlier in this chapter, about the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The additional prophecies and the promises, within this answer, are all dependent upon the prior prophecy.

Our sentence as two Equivalent Sections with each Equivalent Section giving a prophecy. The difference between the two is that they have prophesy two different events. In addition, the next sentence has an analogy to help understand this prophecy.

They will personally (ye) shall weep and lament while the world shall rejoice because of the death of Jesus. They will personally (ye) have their sorrow...turned into joy because of His resurrection.

Please see the note for Romans C15S21 about the word verily. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'adv. from very. 1. In truth; in fact; certainly. 2. Really; truly; with great confidence'. When we see this word used twice in a row the sentence is fulfilling the legal requirement which is necessary to present something which everyone must believe. Please also see the note for John 12:24 for links to every place where we find the phrase of: Verily, verily. It is only found in this Gospel. When we see the word verily used twice in a row the sentence is fulfilling the legal requirement which is necessary to present something which everyone must believe. Thus, every one of these sayings is a precept.

Please see the note for John 20:11-12 about the word weep. The functional definition for this word is: 'To express sorrow, grief or anguish by outcry. To manifest and express grief by outcry or by shedding tears.'.

We find forms of the word lament occurring 61 times in 51 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthew 2:18; Matthew 11:17; Luke 23:27; John 16:20; Acts 8:2; Revelation 18:9. We find forms of the word lament with the word weep in: Jeremiah 9:10; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18; John 16:20. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'LAMENT', v.i. L. lamentor. 1. To mourn; to grieve; to weep or wail; to express sorrow. Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. 2Chron. 35. 2. To regret deeply; to feel sorrow. LAMENT', v.t. To bewail; to mourn for; to bemoan; to deplore. One laughed at follies, one lamented crimes.
LAMENT', n. L. lamentum. Grief or sorrow expressed in complaints or cries; lamentation; a weeping. Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. This noun is used chiefly or solely in poetry.'.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The functional definition is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. The functional definition is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'That. Joh 16:6,33; 19:25-27; Mr 14:72; 16:10; Lu 22:45,62; 23:47-49; 24:17,21 but the. Job 20:5; Mt 21:38; 27:39-44,62-66; Mr 15:29-32; Re 11:10; 18:7 your. Ps 30:5,11; 40:1-3; 97:11; 126:5-6; Isa 12:1; 25:8-9; 61:3; 66:5; Jer 31:9-14,25; Mt 5:4; Lu 6:21; Ac 2:46-47; 5:41; Ro 5:2-3,11; 2Co 6:10; Ga 5:22; 1Th 1:6; 2Th 2:16-17; Jas 1:2; 1Pe 1:6-8; Jude 1:24; Re 7:14-17 General references. exp: Ps 70:4; 89:42; Mt 5:4; Joh 16:6.'.

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C16-S20 (Verse 21) Jesus provides an analogy.

Equivalent Section: The pain of birth.

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,
because her hour is come:

Equivalent Section: The joy of birth.

but as soon as she is delivered of the child,
she remembereth no more the anguish,
for joy that a man is born into the world.

This sentence is part of the answer from Jesus to the confusion that the disciples had over what he said earlier in this chapter. This answer goes from C16-S18 through C16-S27. The answer from Jesus shows that we need to get our answers from the right source or we will end up with confusion and error. The additional prophecies and the promises, within this answer, are all dependent upon the prior prophecy that is in C16-S15. (Please see the note for C16-S18 for more details about this context).

In this sentence Jesus uses a commonly known event for an analogy. He has prophesied that the disciples will have a similar feeling experience due to His death, burial and resurrection.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S2 about the word woman. Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. This tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. This is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ. In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the Gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10.' . Please see the note for Romans C9S19 about the phrase What is man.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the word travail. The functional definition for this word is: 'To labor with pain'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

Please see the note for John 2:4 about the word hour. The functional definition is: 'a short period of time relative to the perspective'. Thus, a thousand years can be considered to be an 'hour / short period of time' from the perspective of eternity. That note tells all of the applications found within the Gospels.

Please see the note for Mark 9:31 about the word delivered. The functional definition for this word is: 'Freed; released; transferred or transmitted; passed from one to another; committed; yielded; surrendered; rescued; uttered; pronounced'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel. The functional definition is: 'the Jews from a spiritual perspective'. This is opposed to the phrase children of Jacob, which means: 'the Jews from a physical perspective'. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham. Please also see the note for Mark 2:19 about the phrase children of the bridechamber. Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of disobedience. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S14; God in Romans: Romans C4S12; 1Peter 2:3-LJC and with the kingdom of heaven in 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase children of God. Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of wrath. Please also see the note for Galatians 4:19-20 about the phrase my little children. Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S1 about the word child.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians C2S4 about the word anguish. The functional definition for this word is: 'Extreme pain, either of body or mind'.

Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the words birth / birthright / birthday. The functional definition is: 'The act of coming into life, or of being born'. Please see the note for Colossians C1S3 about the word firstborn. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word begotten. The functional definition is: 'Procreated; generated'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'woman. Ge 3:16; Isa 26:16-18; Jer 30:6-7; Ho 13:13-14; Mic 4:10; Re 12:2-5 for. Ge 21:6-7; 30:23-24; 1Sa 1:26-27; Ps 113:9; Lu 1:57-58; Ga 4:27 General references. exp: Isa 26:17; Mt 5:4; Joh 16:6.'.

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C16-S21 (Verse 22) The application of the analogy.

Equivalent Section: First comes sorrow.

And ye now therefore have sorrow:

Equivalent Section: Next comes joy.

but I will see you again,
and your heart shall rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh from you.

This sentence is part of the answer from Jesus to the confusion that the disciples had over what he said earlier in this chapter. This answer goes from C16-S18 through C16-S27. The answer from Jesus shows that we need to get our answers from the right source or we will end up with confusion and error. The additional prophecies and the promises, within this answer, are all dependent upon the prior prophecy that is in C16-S15 (where we read A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me). (Please see the note for C16-S18 for more details about this context).

Here Jesus is applying His analogy, (from the last sentence about a woman giving birth), to His prophecy about how the disciples will feel during the up-coming events of sorrow and joy.

Please notice that our sentenced says and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. Having a joy, that no man can take regardless of what they do to you, is part of the 'resurrected life'. Having joy is different from being happy. As it is said: 'Happiness depends upon happenings in the circumstances of life while joy is dependent upon your spiritual condition'. One is based upon a perspective of the physical while the other is based upon a perspective of the spiritual.

Our word definitions below give the definition of rejoice, which people should not have a problem with. However, our sentence also gives us another perspective of this word. The prefix re means 'again' and provides a definition of 'having joy again'. In our sentence, and also within the context of the chapter, Jesus is telling His disciples that the circumstances of life will be so great they will lose their spiritual perspective and also lose their joy. However, after His resurrection, their spiritual perspective, and also their joy, will return.

In addition, the end of our sentence says and your joy no man taketh from you. his experience will be so effective in their lives that no other circumstances will be able to cloud their joy in the same way and for as long. (Please note the th in the word taketh which means: 'keep on keeping on taking'). Yes, circumstances can turn our perspective from the spiritual and, thereby, cloud our source of joy. However, after this experience, circumstances would never have the same long-term effect upon these disciples. Likewise, one of the reasons why God lets His children go through 'terrible circumstances' is so that they personally will have their spiritual perspective strengthened and it will be harder for them to lose their joy for a long period of time.

As we have seen every other place where we find two Equivalent Sections with the Second Equivalent Section starting with the word but, he two Equivalent Sections tell us things which are polar opposites. Our First Equivalent Section tells us about their sorrow and our Second Equivalent Section tells us about their joy. The world says to overcome sorrow with happiness. Our sentence tells us to overcome sorrow with joy which requires focusing on the spiritual perspective of whatever causes the sorrow.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'ye now. Joh 16:6,20 But. Joh 14:1,27; 20:19-20; 21:7; Isa 25:9; 65:13-14; 66:9-14; Mt 28:8; Lu 24:41,51-53; Ac 2:46; 13:52; 1Pe 1:8 exp: Lu 22:53. and your. Joh 4:14; Job 34:29; Ps 146:2; Isa 12:2-4; 51:11-12; 54:7-8; 65:18-19; Hab 3:17-18; Lu 10:42; 16:25; 19:26; Ac 5:41; 16:25; 20:23-24; Ro 8:35-39; 1Th 3:7-9; 2Th 2:16; Heb 6:18; 10:34; 1Pe 1:8; 4:13-14 General references. exp: Ps 92:4; Mt 5:4; Joh 16:6; Php 1:26.'.

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C16-S22 (Verse 23) First result of their future sorrow and joy.
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.

Our sentence starts with the word and, which adds this sentence to the prior. Therefore, the phrase in that day is speaking about when they see the resurrected Lord Jesus. Yes, they would ask Him for many things and for much instruction at times following in that day. However, their joy will be so complete, in that day, that they will not think about anything else, which is why they personally (ye) ye shall ask me nothing.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'ask. Joh 16:19; 13:36-37; 14:5,22; 15:15; 21:20-21 exp: 2Ch 1:7; Lu 11:9. General references. exp: Ps 20:4.'.

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C16-S23 (Verse 23) Second result of their future sorrow and joy.

Verily,
verily,
I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name,
he will give it you.

Please use this link to see other 'Promises' which are found within the Gospels.

Our sentence starts with the words Verily, verily. This lets us know that Jesus is giving a precept which is true regardless of the circumstances of life when it is applied. However, it is given after a prophecy of the disciples experiencing such a spiritually maturing experience that no man taketh from you. (Please see the note for the second prior sentence for the explanation of that phrase.) In addition, this promise is given that your joy may be full. (Please see the note for the next sentence for the explanation of that phrase.) Therefore, while this precept is true regardless of the circumstances of life when it is applied, it is only given to people who have received a certain level of spiritual maturity and is only applicable for a spiritual result. It is not applicable to the many prideful and lustful things which people try to apply it to because of false teachings which come from preachers who speak doctrines of devils.

Joy is from a spiritual perspective of 'bad' circumstances. This promise can not be used to claim the lusts of the flesh, pride, not any of the many other false applications which many people claim it can be applied to. Therefore, we must keep the context of this sentence in consideration when we 'claim' the promise found in this sentence and the next sentence.

In reality, 16:23 through 16:28 are all related promises and the context provides restrictions on the application of all of these promises. However, I have only heard people misapply the promises of 16:23 and 16:24. Therefore, those are the main promises where this Study need to be sure to correct doctrinal error which is used to misapply the promises. The restrictions need to be considered for the other sentences but there is very little, if any, doctrinal error applied to those promises.

Now, having considered the misapplication of this promise, and the context which shows us the limits on applying this promise, we can look at the promise itself. The promise seems straight-forward, and it is. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you is quite simple and clear. However, people say that they 'claimed this promise and God didn't keep it'. Further, Satan uses these claims to say that God's promises aren't reliable and true. In spite of these claims, God's promises are true and reliable. The problem is in the assumptions which people make which disqualify their receiving what they expect to receive.

The first thing which we need to remember is that God reserves the right to determine when and where and how He fulfills His promises. There are some promises to Abraham which will not be fulfilled until the 1,000 years reign of Christ. Since God's promises are mostly to His children, and He give them eternal life, time is not a critical factor in God keeping His promises.

The next thing to remember is that God often requires us to pass a test of faith before we receive these types of promises. Remember that the context made this promise available to the disciples after they went through the test of their faith which was the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, people who have not yet passed the test of faith, which is related to their specific request, have not yet fulfilled the requirements to receive the promise. We do not have the right to expect God to keep His promise before we fulfill of the requirements on us in order to receive that promise.

Next, most people misunderstand the meaning of the phrase in my name. That phrase means 'in the power and authority represented by the name'. This sentence is where we get to practice of adding to our prayers the phrase: 'in the name of Jesus'. However, that is not quite accurate. The accurate phrase should be: 'in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ'.

Our context presents the ministry of Christ when Jesus talked about sending the Comforter. The Son of God started exercising His role as Christ at the same time as he sent the Comforter.

The context also presents the ministry of Lord. when it talks about the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Son of God was not called Lord Jesus before the resurrection but after the resurrection He is always called some form of Lord Jesus or Jesus Christ unless the context is deliberately dealing with the 'Doctrine of the Humanity of the Son of God'. (Please study the evidence in the Lord Jesus Christ documents to verify this claim if you doubt it.)

Therefore, since this promise is made available after the resurrection, the phrase in my name, really means 'in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ'. With these things in mind, we need to realize that we have to do our part to maintain our relationship with each of the roles of the Son of God if we wish to be able to call upon the name of that role of the Son of God and have God recognize our right to be able to do so.

To be in proper relationship with the role of Jesus we need to be following His example of how to live in this world using the Power of the Holy Ghost. In general, for the problems of this world or the problems of the flesh, we need to search the Gospels to see What Would Jesus Do. In most cases, people fail their relationship to this role by not doing the things which would cause them to stop sinning such as pray before any decision, start their day in prayer and Bible Study and end their day in prayer for others, especially for enemies and in thanksgiving for all of the things which God gives, especially those things which our flesh hates. No, I am not talking about some claimed life of 'sinless perfection' but a life of doing our best to follow the example of Jesus.

To be in proper relationship with the role of Christ we need to be allowing Him to cause us to mature spiritually. A teen-ager can reproduce physically and someone who can not reproduce spiritually (lead someone else to true salvation) is still a spiritual child no matter how long they claim to be saved. While most people, including saved people and preachers, uses the world's definition for a 'Christian', God uses the Bible definition. The Bible clearly teaches that there are different levels of spiritual maturity and God does not give blessings to spiritual children that He gives to saints. (Please see the message on Levels of Spiritual Maturity for more on this truth.) In addition, the Test of Spiritual Maturity allows people to determine if they have met God's requirements to be more than a spiritual child. People who are not doing their part to maintain this relationship, which brings spiritual maturity, can not call upon the name of Christ and have God truly recognize their right to do so. No, I am not saying that someone has to be fully spiritually mature but I am saying that they need to be doing their part in the process of spiritual maturing.

To be in proper relationship with the role of Lord we need to be doing the best we can to keep His commandments (John 14:15; John 15:10). We also need to accept His right to judge us, His judgments and His punishments for disobedience. This is probable the main role that God's children fail to maintain a right relationship with and that failure is probably one of the main reasons for God's people failing to receive this promise.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The functional definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. Please also see the Summary and Verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Whatsoever. Joh 14:13-14; 15:7,16; Isa 65:24; Mt 7:7; 21:22; Eph 2:18; 3:14-20; 1Ti 2:5-6; Heb 4:14-16; 7:25-26; 10:19-23; 1Jo 2:1; 5:14-16 exp: 1Jo 3:22. General references. exp: Ps 20:4.'.

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C16-S24 (Verse 24) Ask in the name of Jesus.

Equivalent Section: What they have not done in the past.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:

Equivalent Section: What they should now do.

ask,
and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full.

Please use this link to see other 'Promises' which are found within the Gospels.

The note for the prior sentence explains the context which restricts the application of the promise found in the prior sentence and in this sentence. Please see the note above for those considerations. Joy is from a spiritual perspective of 'bad' circumstances. This promise can not be used to claim the lusts of the flesh, pride, not any of the many other false applications which many people claim it can be applied to. Therefore, we must keep the context of this sentence in consideration when we 'claim' the promise found in this sentence and the prior sentence.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us to ask in my (Lord Jesus Christ) name and the Second Equivalent Section telling is that ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. With this in mind, we see that the purpose for God fulfilling this promise is that your joy may be full and the meaning of that phrase was just explained. In addition, our Second Equivalent Section uses the personal pronoun of ye, which makes this promise personal and makes the requirements to receive this promise personal. Finally, our First Equivalent Section says that we must ask in my name and that phrase was explained clearly in the prior note.

As already mentioned, these promises from God are reliable. People believe other wise because they make invalid assumptions about what these promises entail or they fail to do their part to receive these promises. Pretty much all of those considerations were explained in the prior note.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians 2:6-7 about the word receive. The functional definition is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'in. Ge 32:9; 1Ki 18:36; 2Ki 19:15; Mt 6:9; Eph 1:16-17; 1Th 3:11-13; 2Th 1:2; 2:16-17 exp: Eph 5:20. ask. Mt 7:7-8; Jas 4:2-3 exp: Lu 11:9. that. Joh 16:23; 15:11; 1Jo 1:3-4; 2Jo 1:12 exp: Joh 17:13. General references. exp: Mt 21:22; Php 1:26.'.

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C16-S25 (Verse 25) Teaching by Jesus.

Equivalent Section: How Jesus taught in the past.

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs:

Equivalent Section: How Jesus will teach in the future.

but the time cometh,
when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs,
but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

Please use this link to see other 'Promises' which are found within the Gospels.

Without going into all of the detail, I will say that this sentence is a promise of revelation after these disciples received God's indwelling Holy Spirit. The fulfillment of this promise was required so that the New Testament could be preached and written during the early Church Age.

In addition, to the actual historical fulfillment of this promise, we can see another application today. When God's people mature spiritually and are doing their best to serve God and meet the requirements already mentioned, God will make the meaning of His word clear to them.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'proverbs. or, parables. Joh 16:12,16-17; Ps 49:4; 78:2; Pr 1:6; Mt 13:10-11,34-35; Mr 4:13 exp: Pr 1:1. but. Joh 16:28-29; Ac 2:33-36; 2Co 3:12-18; 4:2'.

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C16-S26 (Verse 26-27) A new way to pray.

Equivalent Section: How to pray.

At that day ye shall ask in my name:

Equivalent Section: Don't need intercession.

and I say not unto you,
that I will pray the Father for you:

Equivalent Section: Why.

For the Father himself loveth you,
because ye have loved me,
and have believed that I came out from God.

Please use this link to see other 'Promises' which are found within the Gospels.

This sentence is the promise that we can approach the throne of God directly and don't have to go through anyone else as our representative, not even Jesus. The critical part of this sentence is the Third Equivalent Section. The second phrase of that section says because ye have loved me. We are told that if we truly love God / Jesus then we will keep His commandments in Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 11:1; Deuteronomy 11:22; Deuteronomy 19:9; Deuteronomy 30:16; Joshua 22:5; Nehemiah 1:5; Daniel 9:4; John 14:15; John 14:21; John 15:10; 1John 5:2 and 1John 5:3. (The note for 1John 5:2 has links to additional places where the Bible teaches the same doctrine using different words.) People who do not keep his commandments have not met the requirements for receiving this promise. That failure may very well be the reason why so many people feel that they need others to pray for them when they have a personal need. This includes people like Catholics who feel that they need priests, Mary and saints to represent them and people like Baptist who ask the church to pray for personal needs but never ask for prayer about spiritual needs.

Our third phrase starts with the word and, which adds an important requirement to receiving this promise. The phrase have believed that I came out from God requires us to let the Bible correct our doctrine and beliefs and practices. When we refuse to let that happen, we are truly showing that we don't believe that what it says comes from the most powerful and wise Being hat exists anywhere. We prove that we truly do not believe that Jesus, and the word of God which is a picture of Him, came out from God to deliver the message from God.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S25 and 2Corinthians C1S6 about the word pray. The functional definition is: ' In a general sense, the act of asking for a favor, and particularly with earnestness'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'At. Joh 16:23 that. Joh 14:16; 17:9,19,24; Ro 8:34
the Father. Joh 14:21,23; 17:23,26; Zep 3:17; Heb 12:6; Jude 1:20-21; Re 3:9,19 because. Joh 8:42; 21:15-17; Mt 10:37; 1Co 16:22; 2Co 5:14; Eph 6:24; 1Pe 1:8; 1Jo 4:19 and have. Joh 16:30; 3:13; 7:29; 17:7-8,25; Ro 8:3; 1Co 15:47; Ga 4:4; 1Ti 1:15'.

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C16-S27 (Verse 28) The summary of the physical life of Jesus.

Equivalent Section: The beginning.

I came forth from the Father,
and am come into the world:

Equivalent Section: The end.

again,
I leave the world,
and go to the Father.

Please use this link to see other 'Promises' which are found within the Gospels.

Here we clearly read that Jesus would return to heaven. Remember that this was before His betrayal and, therefore, the disciples did not have the advantage which we have of knowing everything which would take place.

While this might not seem to be a promise, remember that 1John 2:1 says: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He did not take up this role until after He left the world, and went to the Father. Therefore, this is an indirect promise that He will be the advocate for the saved even though it does not say so within this sentence.

One more thing to remember is that while Jesus Christ is the advocate for the saved with God the Father, He is the judge at the judgment seat of Christ. No, we will not go to the lake of fire, like all will do who appear before God the Father at the great white throne judgment, but the Bible says that there will still be the terror of the Lord and other punishments given to saved people, who are disobedient, at the judgment seat of Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'came. Joh 8:14; 13:1,3 I leave. Joh 16:5,16; 14:28; 17:5,11,13; Lu 9:51; 24:51; Ac 1:9-11 General references. exp: Joh 6:62.'.

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C16-S28 (Verse 29) The reaction by the disciples.

His disciples said unto him,
Lo,
now speakest thou plainly,
and speakest no proverb.

In this sentence and the next sentence we see the answer from the disciples. If we keep in mind the difference between what they knew, at that time, and what we know now, we can see that they didn't really understand all that they thought they did. We see that they understood with the words of this sentence and the next sentence. However, the response from Jesus, in 16:31 shows that their knowledge and understanding wasn't important while their belief was. This is an important distinction to keep in mind. Yes, God wants us to know and understand His word. However, even if we don't completely know and understand His word, it is more important for us to believe and obey His word.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'proverb. or, parable. Joh 16:25'.

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C16-S29 (Verse 30) The results from faith.

Equivalent Section: Assurance based upon faith.

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things,
and needest not that any man should ask thee:

Equivalent Section: Belief based upon faith.

by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

This sentence is a continuation of the answer by the disciples in the prior sentence. The next sentence has the response from Jesus. The note above, for the prior sentence, explains the doctrine of this sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'are. Joh 16:17; 5:20; 21:17; Heb 4:13 by. Joh 17:8'.

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C16-S30 (Verse 31) Question based upon prior profession.

Jesus answered them,
Do ye now believe?

This sentence, and the next three sentences, is the response from Jesus to the answer from the disciples in the two prior sentences. The note for 16:31 explains the doctrine of this sentence and the two prior sentences.

In this sentence, and the next two sentences, Jesus essentially tells the disciples that they believe at one level but that their belief will fail at another level and after their faith fails they will learn to rely on His faith because His faith never fails. That is the promise of the last sentence in this chapter.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:12 about the word answer. The functional definition is: 'To speak in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration or argument of another person'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Do. Joh 13:38; Lu 9:44-45'.

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C16-S31 (Verse 32) Jesus prophesies the scattering of the disciples.

Equivalent Section: Prophecy to dispel pride.

Behold,
the hour cometh,
yea,
is now come,
that ye shall be scattered,
every man to his own,
and shall leave me alone:

Equivalent Section: Jesus explains why this is OK with Him.

and yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.

Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27; Luke 22:31-34 and John 16:32 present the prophecy by Jesus that the disciples would leave Him and scatter because of the crucifixion. The note for Mark 14:27 gives the Old Testament reference and explains how this fulfills scripture.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section saying that all of the disciples shall be scattered while the Second Equivalent Section says that Jesus is not alone, because the Father is with me. The doctrinal lesson from this sentence, is to keep our eyes on the spiritual and remember that God said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).

Please see the note for Colossians C2S3 about the word behold. The functional definition is: 'To fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care'.

We find forms of the word scatter occurring 120 times in 117 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthewt 9:36; Matthew 12:30; Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27; Luke 1:51; Luke 11:23; John 10:12; Joh 11:52; John 16:32; Acts 5:36; Acts 8:1; Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19; James 1:1; 1Peter 1:1. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '1. To disperse; to dissipate; to separate or remove things to a distance from each other. From thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Gen. 11. I will scatter you among the heathen. Lev. 26. 2. To throw loosely about; to sprinkle; as, to scatter seed in sowing. Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they fly, soft quiet, gentle love and endless joy. 3. To spread or set thinly. Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, their scatter'd cottages, and ample plains.
SCAT'TER, v.i. 1. To be dispersed or dissipated. The clouds scatter after a storm. 2. To be liberal to the poor; to be charitable. Prov. 11.'.

Please see the note for Romans C9S19 about the phrase What is man.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The functional definition is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the hour. Joh 4:21,23; 5:25,28; 12:23 exp: Joh 17:1. that. Zec 13:7; Mt 26:31,56; Mr 14:27,50; Ac 8:1; 2Ti 4:16-17 every. Joh 20:10 own. or, own home. yet. Joh 8:16,29; 14:10-11; Isa 50:6-9 General references. exp: Mr 14:50.'.

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C16-S32 (Verse 33) Where we are to put our trust.

These things I have spoken unto you,
that in me ye might have peace.

Please notice the word might within our sentence. Peace is not guaranteed but is dependent upon our being saved, being an obedient child of God who also meets God's other requirements for the promises at the end of this chapter and requires us believing what Jesus has spoken unto you. (Please see the notes starting in John 16:23-27 for the related requirements.)

The next sentence gives us the context when saved people will most need the peace from Jesus Christ. It will be when ye shall have tribulation.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S16; Galatians C1-S1 and Jude 1:1 about the word peace. The functional definition for this word is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'. Please also see the notes for Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15 about the phrase peace of God. Please also see the notes for Romans 10:15; Hebrews 12:14-LJC about the phrase peace with God. Please note that these are two different kinds of peace.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'in me. Joh 14:27; Ps 85:8-11; Isa 9:6-7; Mic 5:5; Lu 2:14; 19:38; Ro 5:1-2; Eph 2:14-17; Php 4:7; Col 1:20; 2Th 3:16; Heb 7:2; 13:20-21'.

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C16-S33 (Verse 33) Prophecy of future tribulation and the solution to it.

Equivalent Section: The prophecy.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

Equivalent Section: The solution.

but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world.

Please notice the personal pronoun of ye in the First Equivalent Section. This promise is part of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If we are not doing our part to maintain that relationship then we can not expect to receive the promise of peace.

Next, Please notice that our Second Equivalent Section says that we can have this peace because Jesus Christ has overcome the world. That means that this promise is completely dependent upon His power and our getting His power applied in our life requires our doing our part to maintain that relationship with Him. Therefore, the main part of the equivalency, within our sentence, our is doing our part to maintain that relationship.

Please see the notes for Romans C5S2 and Romans C8S37 about the word tribulation. The functional definition for this word is: 'Severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations. In Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; Romans C11S26 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word good. The functional definition is: 'that which comes from God'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness. Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.

Please see the note for Romans C12S5 about the word cheer. The functional definition for this word is: 'To dispel gloom, sorrow, silence or apathy; to cause to rejoice; to gladden'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'In the. Joh 15:19-21; Ac 14:22; Ro 8:36; 2Co 7:4; 1Th 3:4; 2Ti 3:12; Heb 11:25; 1Pe 5:9; Re 7:14 but. Joh 14:1; Ac 9:31; 23:11; 27:22,25; 2Co 1:3; 13:11; 1Th 3:7 exp: Lu 22:36; Joh 17:11. I. Joh 16:11 12:31 1Sa 17:51-52; Ps 68:18; Ro 8:37; Ga 1:4; 6:14; 1Jo 4:4; 5:4 General references. exp: Ge 49:23; Re 12:13.'.

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Interpretive Study of John's Gospel

Jesus is the Son of God

John Chapter 15

Last Supper: Jesus Explains Abiding Love

Links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Outline

John Chapter 16

Last Supper: Jesus Explains our need for the Holy Spirit

Links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Outline

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

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