John 16:8–11 (WEL) “When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 9 “About sin because they do not believe in me. 10 “About righteousness because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me anymore. 11 “About judgment because the prince of this world has been judged.”
V8 “When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.”
He refers to the Holy Spirit, the Helper.
One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin. The Greek word for convict is G1651 ἐλέγχω elegchō, which means (Louw & Nida) “to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing— to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach.”
God initiates salvation—John 6:44.
God convicts each individual of their sins and sinful attitude—John 16:8.
God convicts each individual of the pride (“I’m a good person”), and after conviction, realizing how sinful that assessment is).
God opens the heart and mind of each person to understand and frees them from their bondage to sin so they can understand (Acts 16:14 and Luke 24:25).
God invites, calls, each individual to come and believe on Jesus for salvation (Luke 18:13–14, Luke 5:32, and Matthew 11:28).
God knows the future and every future decision but does not decree a result (1 Peter 1:1–2).
The Holy Spirit convicts concerning our sins, our lack of righteousness vs His righteousness, and the coming judgment depending on our response. For those who believe, it is heaven forever. For those who reject, it is hell forever.
V9 “About sin because they do not believe in me.”
Jesus adds more information. The worst sin anyone can commit is to reject God’s offer of salvation (Matthew 23:37–39, Matthew 23:3, Isaiah 30:15, John 5:40, and Acts 7:51).
V10 “About righteousness because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me anymore.”
Jesus is the example of a person sinless in body, soul, and spirit regarding thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. These people would never see Jesus again in His earthly flesh. Yet, believers did see Him after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). Believers today will see Him either when they die (2 Corinthians 5:8) and go to heaven or at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:14–18). Unbelievers will see Him again at their Last Judgment, the Great White Throne, to be judged and sentenced to the Lake of Fire for an eternal conscious torment (Revelation 20:11–15).
V11 “About judgment because the prince of this world has been judged.”
The Holy Spirit also convicts each individual concerning the coming judgment. The Prince of this world is the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4 and Ephesians 2:2), and he has already been judged, but his sentence will come later (Revelation 20:10).
We learn:
- About the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
- About Jesus’s future as related to His earthly ministry of His first coming.
Questions:
- Did the Holy Spirit convict you of your sins?
- Are you looking forward to the return of the Lord Jesus?