John 20:30-31
30. many other signs—miracles.
31. But these are written—as sufficient specimens.
the Christ, the Son of God—the one His official, the other His personal, title. believing . . . may have life—(See on Joh 6:51-54). Romans 15:4
4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning—"instruction"
through, &c.—"through the comfort and the patience of the Scriptures" might have hope—that is, "Think not that because such portions of Scripture relate immediately to Christ, they are inapplicable to you; for though Christ's sufferings, as a Saviour, were exclusively His own, the motives that prompted them, the spirit in which they were endured, and the general principle involved in His whole work—self-sacrifice for the good of others—furnish our most perfect and beautiful model; and so all Scripture relating to these is for our instruction; and since the duty of forbearance, the strong with the weak, requires 'patience,' and this again needs 'comfort,' all those Scriptures which tell of patience and consolation, particularly of the patience of Christ, and of the consolation which sustained Him under it, are our appointed and appropriate nutriment, ministering to us 'hope' of that blessed day when these shall no more be needed." See on Ro 4:7, Note 7. (For the same connection between "patience and hope" see on Ro 12:12, and 1Th 1:3). Galatians 4:30
30. Ge 21:10, 12, where Sarah's words are, "shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." But what was there said literally, is here by inspiration expressed in its allegorical spiritual import, applying to the New Testament believer, who is antitypically "the son of the free woman." In Joh 8:35, 36, Jesus refers to this.
Cast out—from the house and inheritance: literally, Ishmael; spiritually, the carnal and legalists. shall not be heir—The Greek is stronger, "must not be heir," or "inherit."
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