Joh 16:7-10 | RWP | e4.org | It is expedient for you ( συμφερε υμιν ). Present active indicative of συμφερω , old verb to bear together. See where the phrase is used by Caiaphas "for us," here "for you" ( υμιν ethical dative). That I go away ( ινα εγω απελθω ). Subject clause the subject of συμφερε , ινα and second aorist active subjunctive of απερχομα . The reason ( γαρ ) for this startling statement follows. If I go not away ( εαν μη απελθω ). Third-class condition with εαν and the negative μη with απελθω as before. Will not come ( ου μη ελθη ). Strong double negative with second aorist active subjunctive of ερχομα . The Holy Spirit was, of course, already at work in the hearts of men, but not in the sense of witnessing as Paraclete which could only take place after Jesus had gone back to the Father. But if I go ( εαν δε πορευθω ). Third-class condition again ( εαν and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πορευομα ). I will send ( πεμψω ). First person future as in .

‏ John 16:7-10

It is expedient for you ( συμφερε υμιν ). Present active indicative of συμφερω, old verb to bear together. See 11:50 where the phrase is used by Caiaphas "for us," here "for you" ( υμιν ethical dative).

That I go away ( ινα εγω απελθω ). Subject clause the subject of συμφερε, ινα and second aorist active subjunctive of απερχομα. The reason ( γαρ ) for this startling statement follows.

If I go not away ( εαν μη απελθω ). Third-class condition with εαν and the negative μη with απελθω as before.

Will not come ( ου μη ελθη ). Strong double negative with second aorist active subjunctive of ερχομα. The Holy Spirit was, of course, already at work in the hearts of men, but not in the sense of witnessing as Paraclete which could only take place after Jesus had gone back to the Father.

But if I go ( εαν δε πορευθω ). Third-class condition again ( εαν and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πορευομα ).

I will send ( πεμψω ). First person future as in 15.

And he ( κα εκεινος ). Emphatic demonstrative masculine pronoun.

When he is come ( ελθων ). Second aorist active participle of ερχομα, "having come" or "coming."

Will convict the world ( ελεγξε τον κοσμον ). Future active of ελεγχω, old word for confuting, convicting by proof already in 3:29; 8:46. Jesus had been doing this (7:7), but this is pre-eminently the work of the Holy Spirit and the most needed task today for our complacent age.

In respect of sin ( περ αμαρτιας ). Concerning the reality of sin as missing the mark and as wronging God and man, and not a mere slip or animal instinct or devoid of moral responsibility or evil. Some scientists and psychologists (Freudians and behaviourists) seem bent on destroying man's sense of sin. Hence crime waves even in youth.

And of righteousness ( κα περ δικαιοσυνης ). The opposite of "sin" and to be yearned for after conviction. Cf. Ro 1:19-3:21 about the necessity of the God-kind of righteousness and the Sermon on the Mount for Christ's idea of righteousness.

And of judgment ( κα περ κρισεως ). As certain to come as condemnation because of sin and the lack of righteousness. These are not played out motives in human life, but basal. For this ministry we have the help of the Paraclete. The Paraclete is here spoken of "not as man's advocate with God (1Jo 2:1), but as Christ's advocate with the world" (Bernard).

Because they believe not on me ( οτ ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε ). Without this conviction by the Paraclete such men actually have a pride of intellectual superiority in refusing to believe on Jesus.

And ye behold me no more ( κα ουκετ θεωρειτε με ). With the bodily eyes and without the Holy Spirit they are unable to behold Jesus with the spiritual vision (14:19). Without Christ they lose the sense of righteousness as is seen in the "new morals" (immorality, loose views of marriage, etc.).