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John 16:8–11
“When [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (v. 8).
On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus delivered the Upper Room Discourse (John 13–17) to prepare His disciples for His absence. Christ’s departure would benefit them, for the Holy Spirit would then come to empower the church for its God-ordained role in the economy of salvation. Jesus would send the Spirit after ascending to heaven, revealing that the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son (John 16:4b–7).
In today’s passage, Jesus describes one of the chief works of the Spirit: convicting “the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (v. 8). First is the conviction of sin, which Jesus says is “because they do not believe in me” (v. 9). The Holy Spirit reveals to people their sin and that it deserves the wrath of God. John Calvin says that this work occurs in both those who receive the gospel and those who reject it. Some, such as the Jews who witnessed the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, are cut to the heart with sorrow over their sin and turn to Jesus in faith and repentance, receiving forgiveness (Acts 2:37–41). Others, such as Pharaoh of old, harden their hearts and reject the truth (Ex. 8:15).
The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father (John 16:10). Calvin’s comments are helpful here as well. He writes: “By righteousness must here be understood that which is imparted to us through the grace of Christ. Christ makes it to consist in his ascension to the Father, and not without good reason; for, as Paul declares that he rose for our justification (Rom. 4:25), so he now sits at the right hand of the Father in such a manner as to exercise all the authority that has been given to him, and thus to fill all things (Eph. 4:10).” Jesus’ departure in His ascension is part of His glorification, which began in His resurrection and its revelation that the perfect righteousness of Christ is the only means by which we can be declared righteous in God’s sight. When we receive Christ by faith alone as Savior and Lord, His righteousness is imputed to us and God declares us righteous, granting us eternal life.
Conviction of sin and righteousness by the Spirit accompanies His convicting us of judgment (John 16:11). Those who turn from their sin and receive the righteousness of Christ by faith learn that God’s wrath against them has been satisfied and that they need not fear judgment day (Rom. 3:21–26). The impenitent are left with only a fearful expectation of condemnation (Heb. 10:26–27).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
In our conversion, we experience a decisive conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment as the Holy Spirit regenerates our hearts, granting us faith so that we can move from spiritual death to spiritual life. Yet sin remains until we are glorified (1 John 1:8–9), so the Spirit continues to convict us so that we may continually see our need of Christ’s righteousness. May we yearn for the Spirit’s conviction in our lives.
For further study
- 2 Samuel 12:1–15
- Nehemiah 8:1–12
- Proverbs 28:14
- 1 Thessalonians 1:2–5
The bible in a year
- Exodus 20–22
- Matthew 20:1–16