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John 12:48
Verse
Context
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The word that I have spoken - shall judge him - Ye shall be judged according to my doctrine: the maxims which ye have heard from my mouth shall be those on which ye shall be tried in the great day; and ye shall be condemned or acquitted according as ye have believed or obeyed them, or according as ye have despised and violated them, See this proved, Mat 25:35 (note), etc.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting,.... By "his commandment" is not meant the law; that indeed is often styled the commandment; and it is the commandment of God; and many excellent things are said of it; and among the rest it is called "life", Deu 30:15, but not everlasting life: it only promised a continuation of natural life to man, on condition of obedience to it; more than this it did not promise to Adam, in innocence; and what it promised to the obedient Israelites, was only a prolongation of natural life in the land which God gave unto them: but it neither promises, nor gives spiritual life to the fallen sons of Adam; it leaves men as it finds them, dead in trespasses and sins; and cannot communicate either a life of sanctification, or of justification to them; nor does it so much as give them any hopes of life, or show where it is to be had; nor is everlasting life to be obtained by the works of it: justification is not by the works of the law; nor salvation by works of righteousness done by men; and consequently eternal life is never to be attained unto by obedience to the commands of the law: it is so far from being in this sense life everlasting, that it is the ministration of condemnation and death. But the Gospel is here meant, and is called a commandment; not that it has the nature of a law, or consists of precepts, as the law does; but because it is by the commandment of the everlasting God published by Christ, and his apostles. Christ, as appears from the preceding verse, had a commandment from his Father, what he should say and speak; now, not the doctrine he delivered was the commandment itself, but it was a commandment of the Father that he should deliver that doctrine; besides, the word "commandment" sometimes signifies no other than a doctrine, as in Psa 19:8; and the sense is, that the doctrine of the Gospel, which Christ had in commission from the Father to preach, is life everlasting; and is so called, because it is a means of quickening sinners with a spiritual life, which issues in an eternal one; it is the savour of life unto life, and the Spirit which giveth life, and is the ministration of it; and it is a means of implanting the graces of the Spirit of God in the heart, which sprung up unto everlasting life; and of bringing souls to the knowledge of Christ, which is the beginning, pledge, and earnest of eternal life: and besides all this, it gives an account of the nature of eternal life; it directs the way unto it, which is by Christ, and describes the persons who shall enjoy it; showing, that their title to it is the righteousness of Christ, and their meetness for it the regenerating grace of the Spirit; and that all that believe in Christ shall have it: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me so I speak; and no otherwise, and therefore ought to be received, and not rejected. This is to be understood not of what Christ spoke in common conversation, but in the ministry of the word, even of the doctrines of the Gospel, which were given him by his Father, and which he knew were agreeable to his mind and will, and to his council and covenant, and to everything done and agreed therein, to which he was privy: these he delivered as he received them, and both as to matter and manner, as it was his Father's will and pleasure he should: he preached the righteousness of God, and hid it not; he declared his faithfulness, and his salvation, and concealed not his lovingkindness and truth, Psa 40:9. Now, though it is a sufficient ground of faith to receive and believe the doctrines of the Gospel, because Christ has spoken them, who is truth itself; yet it is a further confirmation of them, that they are what his Father, the God of truth, said unto him: and his delivering them as he had them from him, is an instance of his faithfulness to him that sent him; and should be imitated by his ministers, who ought to declare the whole counsel of God, and keep back nothing they have received from Christ, and which may be profitable to the souls of men. Next: John Chapter 13
John 12:48
Belief and Unbelief
47As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.48There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
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- Sermons
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The Enemy of the Cross
By Erlo Stegen3.9K57:59MAT 7:12MAT 22:39LUK 14:25LUK 14:27JHN 12:48ACT 10:34GAL 6:14In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for understanding and guidance from God. He then reads from Luke chapter 14, where Jesus speaks about the requirements of being his disciple. The speaker shares a personal story about a moment of prejudice and how God challenged him to love others as himself. He emphasizes the need for the cross of Jesus to work in our lives, bringing about a transformation in our attitudes and actions towards others.
Come, Buy, and Eat (Compilation)
By Compilations2.1K19:57CompilationISA 55:2MAL 3:3MAT 9:2MAT 25:35LUK 4:18JHN 12:48ROM 12:2GAL 2:20GAL 5:161JN 2:41JN 2:15REV 3:11In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for believers to forsake their wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. He urges them not to conform to the ways of the world but to be transformed by renewing their minds through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The preacher also highlights the importance of obedience to God's teachings and the free gift of grace that believers have received. He encourages believers to demonstrate their faith through acts of love and service, both physically and spiritually, by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and ministering to those in prison. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the power of Jesus Christ to deliver and set free those who are oppressed and captive, offering forgiveness and new life.
(Revelations of the Gospel) 1. a Revelation of Self
By Jason Robinson1.0K1:15:56MAT 6:33JHN 3:16JHN 12:48ACT 4:12ROM 3:9ROM 5:8EPH 2:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing our sinful state before God and the severity of standing before Him in judgment. He highlights the need for a revelation of our own wickedness and the purity and holiness of God. The speaker warns against presenting a gospel that only focuses on God's love without addressing the reality of our sinfulness. He urges listeners to seek a complete understanding of the gospel and to pray for revelations of these four key truths.
Running to Win the Crown of Life (Jas 1:12; 1 Cor. 9:24-27)
By Mike Bickle2849:43Crown of LifeEnduranceMAT 5:48JHN 12:48ROM 12:11CO 9:242CO 5:10PHP 3:142TI 4:7HEB 12:1JAS 1:12REV 3:11Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of enduring temptation in the Christian life, explaining that the crown of life is awarded to those who remain steadfast in their faith. He clarifies that this crown is not synonymous with salvation but is a reward for living a life of comprehensive obedience to God's commands. Bickle highlights the importance of running the race of faith with purpose and discipline, as believers will be evaluated at the judgment seat of Christ based on their faithfulness. He warns against the perversion of grace that leads to complacency and encourages believers to strive for complete obedience in all areas of life. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to endure and resist temptation to receive the promised crown of life.
The Heavenly Man and the Word of God
By T. Austin-Sparks0The Word of GodSpiritual GrowthMAT 4:4JHN 5:39JHN 6:63JHN 8:47JHN 12:48JHN 14:10HEB 4:121PE 1:231JN 4:17REV 3:1T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Heavenly Man, Jesus Christ, in relation to the Word of God, illustrating how His life was begotten, tested, and governed by the Word. He explains that the Word is not merely a statement but an act of God that brings life and growth, and that believers must be governed by the Spirit of life in the Word to experience true growth in Christ. Sparks warns against the danger of relying solely on the letter of the Word without the Spirit, which can lead to a lifeless faith. He concludes that true life and doctrine arise from a living relationship with the Heavenly Man, rather than from mere adherence to doctrine or church structure.
(The Lord and His Church) 6. the Worldly Church
By Zac Poonen0EXO 16:33JHN 12:48ACT 20:28EPH 6:17HEB 10:201PE 5:8REV 2:12Zac Poonen preaches about the church in Pergamum, commended for holding fast to the faith amidst persecution, especially highlighting the faithful witness of Antipas who stood uncompromisingly for God's truth. However, after Antipas' death, the church declined spiritually, succumbing to the teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans, leading to worldliness and idolatry within. Poonen emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith, even in the face of opposition, and warns against tolerating sin and compromise within the church, urging repentance and a return to God's truth.
(The Supreme Priorities) 2. One Thing Is Needful
By Zac Poonen0PSA 46:10PSA 119:105ISA 50:4JER 23:29MAT 11:25LUK 10:42JHN 12:48ACT 17:112TI 3:16JAS 1:22Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of prioritizing time to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His Word, as exemplified by Mary in the Bible. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of focusing on the one thing needful, which is spending time with God's Word. The sermon delves into the authority of the Bible, highlighting Jesus' testimony, fulfilled prophecies, unity, endurance against attacks, life transformations, inexhaustibility, and personal revelation. It stresses the importance of hearing God's Word daily, warning against deception and emphasizing the need for humility, subjection, and obedience. The sermon also explores the transformative effect of the Word of God, comparing it to light, a mirror, and fire, emphasizing its role in guidance, self-examination, and purification.
He That Rejecteth Me and Receiveth Not My Words
By Phoebe Palmer0JHN 12:48ROM 8:142TI 3:16HEB 4:12JAS 1:22Phoebe Palmer emphasizes the importance of relying on the Word of God as the ultimate judge of our lives, highlighting the need to examine ourselves based on its tests and promises. She shares a profound dream experience that revealed the eternal significance of the Bible in determining one's state before God. Through a journey of seeking assurance and divine guidance, she discovers the transformative power of being led by the Spirit of God and the unwavering assurance found in God's Word, which serves as the unchanging standard for our faith and relationship with Him.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The word that I have spoken - shall judge him - Ye shall be judged according to my doctrine: the maxims which ye have heard from my mouth shall be those on which ye shall be tried in the great day; and ye shall be condemned or acquitted according as ye have believed or obeyed them, or according as ye have despised and violated them, See this proved, Mat 25:35 (note), etc.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting,.... By "his commandment" is not meant the law; that indeed is often styled the commandment; and it is the commandment of God; and many excellent things are said of it; and among the rest it is called "life", Deu 30:15, but not everlasting life: it only promised a continuation of natural life to man, on condition of obedience to it; more than this it did not promise to Adam, in innocence; and what it promised to the obedient Israelites, was only a prolongation of natural life in the land which God gave unto them: but it neither promises, nor gives spiritual life to the fallen sons of Adam; it leaves men as it finds them, dead in trespasses and sins; and cannot communicate either a life of sanctification, or of justification to them; nor does it so much as give them any hopes of life, or show where it is to be had; nor is everlasting life to be obtained by the works of it: justification is not by the works of the law; nor salvation by works of righteousness done by men; and consequently eternal life is never to be attained unto by obedience to the commands of the law: it is so far from being in this sense life everlasting, that it is the ministration of condemnation and death. But the Gospel is here meant, and is called a commandment; not that it has the nature of a law, or consists of precepts, as the law does; but because it is by the commandment of the everlasting God published by Christ, and his apostles. Christ, as appears from the preceding verse, had a commandment from his Father, what he should say and speak; now, not the doctrine he delivered was the commandment itself, but it was a commandment of the Father that he should deliver that doctrine; besides, the word "commandment" sometimes signifies no other than a doctrine, as in Psa 19:8; and the sense is, that the doctrine of the Gospel, which Christ had in commission from the Father to preach, is life everlasting; and is so called, because it is a means of quickening sinners with a spiritual life, which issues in an eternal one; it is the savour of life unto life, and the Spirit which giveth life, and is the ministration of it; and it is a means of implanting the graces of the Spirit of God in the heart, which sprung up unto everlasting life; and of bringing souls to the knowledge of Christ, which is the beginning, pledge, and earnest of eternal life: and besides all this, it gives an account of the nature of eternal life; it directs the way unto it, which is by Christ, and describes the persons who shall enjoy it; showing, that their title to it is the righteousness of Christ, and their meetness for it the regenerating grace of the Spirit; and that all that believe in Christ shall have it: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me so I speak; and no otherwise, and therefore ought to be received, and not rejected. This is to be understood not of what Christ spoke in common conversation, but in the ministry of the word, even of the doctrines of the Gospel, which were given him by his Father, and which he knew were agreeable to his mind and will, and to his council and covenant, and to everything done and agreed therein, to which he was privy: these he delivered as he received them, and both as to matter and manner, as it was his Father's will and pleasure he should: he preached the righteousness of God, and hid it not; he declared his faithfulness, and his salvation, and concealed not his lovingkindness and truth, Psa 40:9. Now, though it is a sufficient ground of faith to receive and believe the doctrines of the Gospel, because Christ has spoken them, who is truth itself; yet it is a further confirmation of them, that they are what his Father, the God of truth, said unto him: and his delivering them as he had them from him, is an instance of his faithfulness to him that sent him; and should be imitated by his ministers, who ought to declare the whole counsel of God, and keep back nothing they have received from Christ, and which may be profitable to the souls of men. Next: John Chapter 13