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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 16
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_16:1-33
A. The literary context runs from Joh_15:18 to Joh_16:4 a. Chapter divisions are not inspired and are much later additions, like paragraphing, capitalization, punctuation, and verse division.
B. The Holy Spirit's task to the spiritually lost is defined in Joh_16:8-11, His task to the saved in Joh_16:12-15. Samuel J. Mikolaski has an interesting summary of the Spirit's activity in the NT in his article "The Theology of the New Testament" in The Exposition Bible Commentary, Vol. 1:
"The NT doctrine of sanctification, while closely allied to justification, is nevertheless distinct from it. As in the OT, sanctification points first to the separateness-the holy transcendence of God-and second, to a moral quality and relationship that is Godlike. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, who unites a person with Christ and renews his life spiritually. The NT language entails the baptism in the Spirit ( 1Co_12:13); the seal of the Spirit (Eph_1:13-14; Eph_4:30), the indwelling of the Spirit (Joh_14:17; Rom_5:5; Rom_8:9-11; 1Co_3:16; 1Co_6:19; 2Ti_1:14), instruction by the Spirit (Joh_14:26; Joh_16:12-15), the filling of the Spirit (Eph_5:18), and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal_5:22-23). Sanctification is related to justification, which is a standing before God (Heb_10:10), and may be thought of as development into a new ideal" (p. 474).
C. Joh_16:17, like Joh_13:36; Joh_14:5; Joh_14:8; Joh_14:22, is another question by the Apostles.
D. Many believe that the "let us go from here" of Joh_14:31 combined with Joh_18:1 shows that Jesus spoke chapters 15-17 on the way to Gethsemane through the temple and streets of Jerusalem, not in the upper room.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. What is the connection between chapter 15 and chapter 16?
2. In relationship to Joh_16:5, how do we understand Joh_13:36?
3. What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the lost world?
4. What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to believers?
5. Why are Joh_16:26-27 such an important truth needed in light of modern denominational tendencies?