What does John 16:14 mean?

Explanation

John 16:14 speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit will honor and bring glory to Jesus Christ by revealing spiritual truths.

The verse highlights the Holy Spirit's function as the one who communicates and makes real the teachings and essence of Jesus to His followers.

The "He" in the verse refers to the Holy Spirit, who is promised to impart wisdom and understanding that originates from Jesus ("he shall receive of mine").

This underscores a profound unity and mutual indwelling within the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, where what belongs to one is shared amongst the others.

The act of showing or revealing ("shall shew it unto you") indicates the ongoing revelation to the disciples and, by extension, to all believers.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Farewell Discourse in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is depicted as giving His final teachings to His disciples during the Last Supper before His crucifixion.

The Gospel of John was written during a time when early Christians faced considerable persecution and needed assurance of their faith.

These words would have provided comfort and guidance, reinforcing the idea that though Jesus was physically leaving, He would continue to be present with them through the Holy Spirit.

The concept of a Helper or Advocate (the Holy Spirit) was introduced to prepare and strengthen the disciples for the challenges they would face.

Theological Insights

Theologically, John 16:14 offers several key insights:

• The deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit, who acts with intention and purpose.
• The work of the Holy Spirit as central to the Christian experience, serving as an ongoing connection to Christ.
• Christocentric focus of the Holy Spirit's ministry, where He does not speak of Himself but points to Christ.
• The concept of spiritual illumination where the truth that originates in Jesus is revealed to believers.

Different denominations may emphasize distinct aspects of this verse.

For instance, Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians might focus on the experiential aspect of the Spirit's revelation, while Reformed theology could highlight the doctrine of Trinitarian unity and the sufficiency of Christ as revealed by the Spirit.

Practical Applications

John 16:14 can be applied in the following ways:

• Encouraging believers to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in understanding and applying Scripture to their lives.
• Urging Christians to rely on the Holy Spirit's ministry to reveal Christ's presence and truth in everyday situations.
• Inspiring a sense of expectancy that the Holy Spirit will continually reveal deeper insights into the nature and work of Christ.
• Promoting a Christ-centered life, where the glory and honor of Jesus are the ultimate goals of spiritual growth and experience.

Cross-References

• John 15:26 - "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:"
• John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
• 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 - "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [...] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words in John 16:14 include:

• "glorify" (δοξάσει, doxasei): To bestow honor, praise, or to manifest the divine presence.
• "receive" (λήμψεται, lēmpsetai): To take, receive, or to lay hold of.
• "shew" (ἀναγγελεῖ, anangelei): To announce, report, or make known, not only to declare but also to explain by making clear.

Understanding these Greek terms adds depth to our appreciation of what it means for the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus and reveal His truth to us.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The role of the spirit or divine as a revealer of truths is a common theme in various religions. For instance, in Hinduism, the concept of "guru" can pertain to a spiritual guide that dispels ignorance.

In ancient Greek mythology, the Oracle of Delphi served as a medium through which the god Apollo communicated.

In contrast, in Christianity, the Holy Spirit is not simply a medium; He is God Himself dwelling within believers and pointing them to Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not contain any direct scientific claims or content to analyze. Its discussion of the spiritual and divine lies outside the purview of empirical science.

However, the psychological effects of belief in such spiritual guidance can be a subject of study in the fields of psychology and neuroscience.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered various interpretations of John 16:14:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that the Spirit's work glorifies Christ by revealing to the world the full scope of His divine excellence and truth.
• The MacArthur Study Bible emphasizes that the Holy Spirit's primary role is to point people to Christ, not to Himself, which maintains a Christ-centered focus in worship and doctrine.
• The New Bible Commentary remarks on the passage's illustration of Trinitarian relationships and how the Spirit's work ensures that the truth about Jesus is communicated to and understood by believers.