Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
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Commentary for John 16:9
John 16:9 is part of Jesus' discourse with His disciples during the Last Supper, as recorded in the Gospel of John. This verse is situated within the broader context of Jesus' farewell speech, where He prepares His disciples for His departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges they will face. The specific theme of John 16:9 addresses the concept of sin and unbelief.
In this verse, Jesus explains that the world's sin is not recognizing or believing in Him as the Messiah and Son of God. The Greek word for "sin" used here (ἁμαρτία, hamartia) can also be understood as "missing the mark." Thus, Jesus is highlighting that the fundamental sin of the world is the failure to acknowledge Him as the Savior sent by God. This unbelief has broader implications, as it leads to a rejection of God's plan for salvation and redemption, which is centered in Christ.
Historically, this statement would have resonated with the early Christian community, which was largely Jewish and still grappling with the idea that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Jewish messianic expectations. The verse also reflects the tension between the early Christians and the Jewish authorities who did not accept Jesus' messianic claims. John 16:9 underscores the importance of faith in Jesus as essential for overcoming sin and highlights the role of belief in the context of salvation history.
In summary, John 16:9 encapsulates the theme of unbelief as the world's sin, emphasizing the centrality of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. It reflects the historical context of early Christian thought as it developed within a Jewish framework and addresses the spiritual blindness that prevents people from recognizing Jesus as the divine emissary for their redemption.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G4012 There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: περί Transliteration: perí Pronunciation: per-ee' Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
Strong's Number: G266 There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἁμαρτία Transliteration: hamartía Pronunciation: ham-ar-tee'-ah Description: from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).
Strong's Number: G3303 There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: μέν Transliteration: mén Pronunciation: men Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
Strong's Number: G3754 There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὅτι Transliteration: hóti Pronunciation: hot'-ee Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G4100 There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πιστεύω Transliteration: pisteúō Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
Strong's Number: G3756 There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: οὐ Transliteration: ou Pronunciation: ookh Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G1519 There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: εἰς Transliteration: eis Pronunciation: ice Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G1691 There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐμέ Transliteration: emé Pronunciation: em-eh' Description: a prolonged form of μέ; me:--I, me, my(-self).