Joh 8:46-50 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 46. Which of you convinceth me ? To convince , with us, means to satisfy a man's own mind of the truth of anything; but this, is not its meaning here. It rather means to convict . Which of you can prove that I am guilty of sin. Of sin . The word sin here evidently means error, falsehood , or imposture . It stands opposed to truth . The argument of the Saviour is this: A doctrine might be rejected if it could be proved that he that delivered it was an impostor ; but as you cannot prove this of me, you are bound to receive my words.

John 8:46-50

Verse 46. Which of you convinceth me? To convince, with us, means to satisfy a man's own mind of the truth of anything; but this, is not its meaning here. It rather means to convict. Which of you can prove that I am guilty of sin.

Of sin. The word sin here evidently means error, falsehood, or imposture. It stands opposed to truth. The argument of the Saviour is this: A doctrine might be rejected if it could be proved that he that delivered it was an impostor; but as you cannot prove this of me, you are bound to receive my words. Verse 47. He that is of God. He that loves, fears, and honours God.

Heareth God's words. Listens to, or attends to the doctrines or commandments of God, as a child who loves his parent will regard and obey his commandments. This is an evidence of true piety. A willingness to receive all that God teaches us, and to obey all his commandments, is an undoubted proof that we are his friends, Jn 14:21, 1Jn 2:4, 3:24. As the Jews did not show a readiness to obey the commands of God, it proved that they were not of him, and to this was owing their rejection of the Lord Jesus. Verse 48. Say we not well. Say we not truly.

Thou art a Samaritan. This was a term of contempt and reproach. Jn 4:9. It had the force of charging him with being a heretic or a schismatic, because the Samaritans were regarded as such.

And hast a devil. See Jn 7:20. This charge they brought against him because he had said that they were not of God, or were not the friends of God. This they regarded as the same as taking sides with the Samaritans, for the question between the Jews and Samaritans was, which of them worshipped God aright, Jn 4:20. As Jesus affirmed that the Jews were not of God, and as he, contrary to all their views, had gone and preached to the Samaritans (John 4), they regarded it as a proof that he was disposed to take part with them. They also regarded it as evidence that he had a devil. The devil was an accuser or calumniator; and as Jesus charged them with being opposed to God, they considered it as proof that he was influenced by such an evil spirit.

Devil. In the original, demon. Not the prince or chief of the devils, but an evil spirit.

(v) "hast not a devil" @Joh 7:20 Verse 49. I have not a devil. To the first part of the charge, that he was a Samaritan, he did not reply. To the other part he replied by saying that he honoured his Father. He taught the doctrines that tended to exalt God. He taught that he was holy and true. He sought that men should love him and obey him. All his teaching proved this. An evil spirit would not do this, and this was sufficient proof that he was not influenced by such a spirit. Verse 50. Mine own glory. My own praise or honour. In all his teaching this was true. He did not seek to exalt or to vindicate himself. He was willing to lie under reproach and to be despised. He regarded little, therefore, their taunts and accusations; and even now, he says, he would not seek to vindicate himself.

There is one that seeketh and judgeth. God will take care of my reputation. He seeks my welfare and honour, and I may commit my cause into his hands without attempting my own vindication. From these verses (Jn 8:46-50) we may learn--

1st. That where men have no sound arguments, they attempt to overwhelm their adversaries by calling odious and reproachful names. Accusations of heresy and schism, and the use of reproachful terms, are commonly proof that men are not only under the influence of unchristian feeling, but that they have no sound reasons to support their cause.

2nd. It is right to vindicate ourselves from such charges, but it should not be done by rendering railing for railing. "In meekness we should instruct those that oppose

themselves, if God peradventure will give them

repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,"

2Ti 2:25.

3rd. We should not regard it as necessarily dishonourable if we lie under reproach. If we have a good conscience, if we have examined for ourselves, if we are conscious that we are seeking the glory of God, we Should be willing, as Jesus was, to bear reproach, believing that God will in due time avenge us, and bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noon-day, Ps 37:6.

(w) "I seek not" Jn 5:41