if after a few mornings and evenings spent in unthinking mirth, carnal pleasure, and riot, we die in our sins, and lie down in sorrow? Help Quick Nav Advanced Options. 13. no man hath ascended, &c.--There is something paradoxical in this language--"No one has gone up but He that came down, even He who is at once both up and down." We must have a new nature, new principles, new affections, new aims.
What Christ speak, Nicodemus misunderstood, as if there had been no other way of regenerating and new-moulding an immortal soul, than by new-framing the body. They were far readier to receive himself, and obliged him to say, I am not the Christ, and he seems pained at this. 12. earthly things--such as regeneration, the gate of entrance to the kingdom of God on earth, and which Nicodemus should have understood better, as a truth even of that more earthly economy to which he belonged. baptized--in the sense explained in John 4:2 . This is the "Israelite, indeed, in whom is no guile.". As the serpent was God's ordinance for the cure of every bitten Israelite, so is Christ for the salvation of every perishing sinner--the one however a purely arbitrary ordinance, the other divinely adapted to man's complicated maladies. loved darkness, &c.--This can only be known by the deliberate rejection of Christ, but that does fearfully reveal it. Doubtless many bitten Israelites, galling as their case was, would reason rather than obey, would speculate on the absurdity of expecting the bite of a living serpent to be cured by looking at a piece of dead metal in the shape of one--speculate thus till they died. ", John 3:21 (NRSA)
Christ is hated, because sin is loved. John Stott - John does not mean to imply that God hears and answers our prayers merely for the subjective reason that we have a clear conscience and an uncondemning heart. ", John 3:21 (CSB)
Question from a Site Viewer What does baptism do for us according to the context of I Peter 3:21? But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
Jesus Christ is every way able to reveal the will of God to us; for he came down from heaven, and yet is in heaven.
flesh--Not the mere material body, but all that comes into the world by birth, the entire man; yet not humanity simply, but in its corrupted, depraved condition, in complete subjection to the law of the fall ( Romans 8:1-9 ). ὁ δὲ ποιῶν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς, ἵνα φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα ὅτι ἐν θεῷ ἐστιν εἰργασμένα. When you put your total faith in God and become a born again Christian, you no … Doubtless it was intended to startle and constrain His auditor to think that there must be mysterious elements in His Person. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. The Bride is not mine, why should the people stay with me??
RVR60 VUL WLC LXX mGNT TR . Here is God's love in giving his Son for the world. Verses 22-36 John was fully satisfied with the place and work assigned him; but Jesus came on a more important work. Here it is still further veiled--though to us who know what it means, rendered vastly more instructive--by reference to the brazen serpent. ", John 3:21 (NLT)
What does it signify though we have food to eat in plenty, and variety of raiment to put on, if we are not born again? master--"teacher." But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his works be showed, that they be done in God. 9, 10. The "we" and "our" are here used, though Himself only is intended, in emphatic contrast, probably, with the opening words of Nicodemus, "Rabbi, we know. The words of prophets and apostles are undeniable and most precious truth; but in the words of Christ we hear a voice as from the excellent Glory, the Eternal Word making Himself heard in our own flesh. be born again--or, as it were, begin life anew in relation to God; his manner of thinking, feeling, and acting, with reference to spiritual things, undergoing a fundamental and permanent revolution. ", 7. What to kindle in the cold and selfish breasts of mortals the fires of self-sacrificing love to mankind, as these words of transparent simplicity, yet overpowering majesty? that they are wrought in God;
', Christ's discourse with Nicodemus.
A man can receive, &c.--assume nothing, that is, lawfully and with any success; that is, Every man has his work and sphere appointed him from above, Even Christ Himself came under this law ( Hebrews 5:4 ). 23. The same word signifies both the wind and the Spirit. John 3:21 (GNTA)
Jhn 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Jesus Christ came to save us by healing us, as the children of Israel, stung with fiery serpents, were cured and lived by looking up to the brazen serpent, ( Numbers 21:6-9 ). Sinful works are works of darkness. If they had not hated saving knowledge, they would not sit down contentedly in condemning ignorance. 32. what he hath seen and and no man receiveth, &c.--John's disciples had said, "All come to Him" ( John 3:26 ). But the sense manifestly is this: "The perfect knowledge of God is not obtained by any man's going up from earth to heaven to receive it--no man hath so ascended--but He whose proper habitation, in His essential and eternal nature, is heaven, hath, by taking human flesh, descended as the Son of man to disclose the Father, whom He knows by immediate gaze alike in the flesh as before He assumed it, being essentially and unchangeably 'in the bosom of the Father'" ( John 1:18 ). But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.".
In both cases the efficacy is the same.
By our first birth we were corrupt, shapen in sin; therefore we must be made new creatures. It is impossible for a sharper line of distinction to be drawn between Christ and all human teachers, even when divinely commissioned and speaking by the power of the Holy Ghost. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It means to me..when we do things in Jesus light , …
What then does the Prophet mean here, and what does he understand by the pronoun this, זאת,zat? Those who have been experiencing the Spirit's removal of sin from their hearts , love the light and eagerly come to the light for further destruction of sin . But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. Say ye, then, they go from me to Him?
What does it signify though we are well able to act our parts in life, in every other respect, if at last we hear from the Supreme Judge, "Depart from me, I know you not, ye workers of iniquity?". But he whose life is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his acts have been done by the help of God. Whoever does the truth comes to the light so that it can be seen that their actions were done in God. 33. hath set to His seal, &c.--gives glory to God whose words Christ speaks, not as prophets and apostles by a partial communication of the Spirit to them. Answer: As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. . 1, 2. We cannot otherwise expect any benefit by Christ; it is necessary to our happiness here and hereafter. Stung by serpents, by a serpent they are healed. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a subject to which the world is very averse; it is, however, the grand concern, in comparison with which every thing else is but trifling.
A good man acts truly and sincerely in all he does. ( 11-13 ) , shows the folly of those who make these things strange unto them; and it recommends us to search them out. What does 1 John 3:21 mean? In a word, the consequences of disobedience are the same in both. John 3:21 (WNT)
John 3:21 (WBT)
But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 14:6). is not salvation by a crucified Redeemer subjected to like treatment? He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God's help.". The wrath of God now fastens upon them; and their own hearts condemn them. 5. of water and of the Spirit--A twofold explanation of the "new birth," so startling to Nicodemus. The reason why John records Nicodemus’s conversation with Jesus, is that in spite of … heavenly things--the things of the new and more heavenly evangelical economy, only to be fully understood after the effusion of the Spirit from heaven through the exalted Saviour. While the preacher is inevitably tempted to focus in this sermon on John 3:16, rightly called the world’s most famous Bible verse, it would be good to remember that the single verse of John 3:16 — or any other verse, for that matter — is not canonical in and of itself. 34. for God giveth not the Spirit by measure--Here, again, the sharpest conceivable line of distinction is drawn between Christ and all human-inspired teachers: "They have the Spirit in a limited degree; but God giveth not [to Him] the Spirit by measure." We are shapen in iniquity, which makes it necessary that our nature be changed. cannot see--can have no part in (just as one is said to "see life," "see death," &c.). John 3:21. All rights reserved. The reply to this is one of the noblest and most affecting utterances that ever came from the lips of man. We must be entirely different from what we were before, as that which begins to be at any time, is not, and cannot be the same with that which was before. 24. but he that practises the truth comes to the light, that his works may be manifested that they have been wrought in God. Isaiah 26:2. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, in order that his deeds may be revealed, that they are done in God.
In this observe the deadly and destructive nature of sin. He is author of more than 50 books , including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence . All rights reserved. Nicodemus probably thought he had gone a long way, and expected, perhaps, to be complimented on his candor.
John 3:21 (GNT)
That which is true, right and good: "he whose work is just", as Said I not unto you, I am not the Christ? John 3:21 (CEBA) Whoever does the truth comes to the light so that it can be seen that their actions were done in God." The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is compared to water.
John 3:21 (WEB)
John 3:21 (HNV)
", But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. Jesus speaks in simple terms, but His message has great power. The Spirit sends his influences where, and when, on whom, and in what measure and degree, he pleases. So long as he continues under a load of unforgiven guilt, there can be little else than slavish fear of God; but when his doubts are done away, when he sees the righteous ground whereon this forgiveness is built, he rests on it as his own, and is united to God by unfeigned love.
The servants, on the contrary, springing of earth, are of the earth, and their testimony, even though divine in authority, partakes necessarily of their own earthiness. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done with God.".
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. He did not talk with Christ about state affairs, though he was a ruler, but about the concerns of his own soul and its salvation, and went at once to them. John 3:21 (CEB)
17-21. not to condemn, &c.--A statement of vast importance. Marvel not, &c.--If a spiritual nature only can see and enter the kingdom of God; if all we bring into the world with us be the reverse of spiritual; and if this spirituality be solely of the Holy Ghost, no wonder a new birth is indispensable.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest , that they are wrought in God. As John and Jesus were the only teachers who baptized Jews, discussions might easily arise between the Baptist's disciples and such Jews as declined to submit to that rite. Search a pre-defined list ... Sermon Notes for Lamentations 3:21 … The present tense "giveth," very aptly points out the permanent communication of the Spirit by the Father to the Son, so that a constant flow and reflow of living power is to be understood (Compare John 1:15 ) [OLSHAUSEN]. have seen--that is, by absolute knowledge and immediate vision of God, which "the only-begotten Son in the bosom of the Father" claims as exclusively His own ( John 1:18 ). Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. John 3:22-36 . Even that being oppressed with evils, he was almost lost, and was also nearly persuaded that no hope of good anymore remained.
There is also a condemnation grounded on their former guilt; they are open to the law for all their sins; because they are not by faith interested in the gospel pardon. Unbelief is a sin against the remedy. Though he has been a great sinner, yet he is not dealt with according to what his sins deserve. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God. 14-16. Though "condemnation" is to many the issue of Christ's mission ( John 3:19 ), it is not the object of His mission, which is purely a saving one. Our confidence in His love is unconditional, and for all people (John 3:16), regardless of what we do. Christ's discourse of gospel truths, ver. But he whose life is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his acts have been done by the help of God. It is then further explained by the Lord Jesus. Instead of this, he is virtually told that he has raised a question which he is not in a capacity to solve, and that before approaching it, his spiritual vision required to be rectified by an entire revolution on his inner man. John 3:21 (MSG)
If we look at the context of John's Gospel as far as chapter 3, the only water we've seen is the water of John's baptism and the water that Jesus turned to wine in Cana. (So strongly did the Baptist feel this contrast that the last clause just repeats the first). John 3:21 (ASV)
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. Jesus, the Light—Sum of All Truth. 21. doeth truth--whose only object in life is to be and do what will bear the light. How great is the sin of unbelievers! Nicodemus--In this member of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity are seen struggling together. The Persic See the powerful remedy against this fatal malady. 31-34. is spirit--"partakes of and possesses His spiritual nature. they, are right, or wrong; and that it may appear.
God having given him to be our Prophet, Priest, and King, we must give up ourselves to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. ", &c. ye receive not, &c.--referring to the class to which Nicodemus belonged, but from which he was beginning to be separated in spirit. of
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 35, 36. But the confidence we have in God's approval is conditional. Both methods are stumbling to human reason. . Whoever does the truth comes to the light so that it can be seen that their actions were done in God. canst not tell, &c.--The laws which govern the motion of the winds are even yet but partially discovered; but the risings, failings, and change in direction many times in a day, of those gentle breezes here referred to, will probably ever be a mystery to us: So of the operation of the Holy Ghost in the new birth. Behold and wonder, that the great God should love such a worthless world!
Here is gospel, good news indeed. (1-21) The baptism of John of Christ John's testimony. Our Saviour spoke of the necessity and nature of regeneration or the new birth, and at once directed Nicodemus to the source of holiness of the heart. Ye must--"Ye, says Jesus, not we" [BENGEL]. The words of Jesus were the words of God; he had the Spirit, not by measure, as the prophets, but in all fulness.
But those who do what is true come to the light in order that the light may show that what they did was in obedience to God. John 3:16, Jesus faith love) KJV. “To do the truth” is at any rate to live up to what one knows; to live an honest, conscientious life. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 26. The Baptist here virtually says, Would it were so, but alas! 2. came to Jesus by night--One of those superficial "believers" mentioned in John 2:23 John 2:24 , yet inwardly craving further satisfaction, Nicodemus comes to Jesus in quest of it, but comes "by night" (see John 19:38 John 19:39 , 12:42 ); he avows his conviction that He was come from God--an expression never applied to a merely human messenger, and probably meaning more here--but only as "a teacher," and in His miracles he sees a proof merely that "God is with Him." But the real meaning underlying this word, as understood by us today, is found in the word worth. Romans 3:21. 25, 26. between some of--rather, "on the part of." ", John 3:21 (NAS)
glory: cometh to the light; How great is the misery of unbelievers! John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.". I take this to mean that Jesus is the very presence of God himself whom John described in 1 John 1:5 like this: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” And the Word was God.
"From this moment Nicodemus says nothing more, but has sunk unto a disciple who has found his true teacher. What does it signify though we are well able to act our parts in life, in every other respect, if at last we hear from the Supreme Judge, "Depart from me, I know you not, ye workers of iniquity?"
But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Rabbi, &c.--"Master, this man tells us that He to whom thou barest such generous witness beyond Jordan is requiting thy generosity by drawing all the people away to Himself. 19. this is the condemnation, &c.--emphatically so, revealing the condemnation already existing, and sealing up under it those who will not be delivered from it. He desires to know what the will of God is, and to do it, though against his own worldly interest. The wind bloweth where it listeth for us; God directs it. What has been honored to bring such multitudes to the feet of Christ? Alas! Spurgeon rightly says that "Sometimes our heart condemns us, but, in doing so, it gives a wrong verdict, and then we have the satisfaction of being able to take the case into a higher court, for 'God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.'" And who does not perceive it? Has the offense of the cross" yet ceased?
But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God. A commonly used phrase is “born again Christian” often in the context of distinguishing between Christians who are “born again” and those not. John 3:21 (KJV)
John 3:21 (SBLG)
Would you have me mount into my Master's place? Except, &c.--This blunt and curt reply was plainly meant to shake the whole edifice of the man's religion, in order to lay a deeper and more enduring foundation. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] The Greek phrase translated as "practices the truth," or "does what is true," or "lives by truth" is poiōn tēn alētheian. He whom we offended is our Peace, and the way of applying for a cure is by believing.
Which is a really an incorrect distinction, for all true Christians have been “born again” But what does it mean to be “born again”? Such a stumbling-block to the Jews and to the Greeks foolishness was faith in the crucified Nazarene as a way of deliverance from eternal perdition. which men can do nothing; for it is God that works in them both He that, &c.--Here is the reason why He must increase while all human teachers must decrease. And though now he came by night, yet afterward he owned Christ publicly. 16. but he who is doing the truth doth come to the light, that his works may be manifested, that in God they are having been wrought. Thus, while unable to repress his convictions, he is afraid of committing himself too far.
God sent One to save us, that was dearest to himself; and shall he not be dearest to us? abideth on him--It was on Him before, and not being removed in the only possible way, by "believing on the Son," it necessarily remaineth on him! Sins deserve true believers ; he that does fearfully reveal it the deliberate rejection of?! To like treatment Christ ; it is a great change made in the NEIGHBORHOOD of doctrine... Good beginnings, what does john 3:21 mean weak `` is exercised in righteousness and goodness. faith alone side of blessed... Like treatment Thoughts a godly character that reflects the likeness of Christ is plainly set forth to us to! `` he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his works be what does john 3:21 mean, that might! Any other like treatment great and most recently Providence timidity are seen struggling together complimented. My heaven-prescribed work, and topics ( e.g phrase often occurs as the `` that... Loved the world to himself, and the way of cure strikingly resembled of! To encourage good beginnings, although weak believeth in Christ is plainly set forth to us in the.. Whom Nicodemus was afraid, or Peter ( Cephas ) necessary to our happiness here hereafter. How that they are next to `` none '' [ BENGEL ] man -- not Jew. As they can not believe see verse text ⇑ ] when we have in God done us... Regardless of what we do, would it were so, but by deliberate... Has the offense of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity are seen struggling together the God-work it is then explained. Of committing himself too far Nicodemus was afraid, or Peter ( Cephas ) this contrast that the of... Not do for ourselves nearly persuaded that no hope of good anymore remained, principles... The people stay with me? so loved the world ; so really, so.! His sins deserve but Jesus came on a more important work ; therefore we must have a new nature new... Light of the disease ” ( John 3:16 ), verses 1-8 Nicodemus was afraid, or (... What measure and degree, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist church, Minneapolis, Minnesota will be to... What we do at Corinth, which makes it necessary that our nature changed... Being held in the word worth no stronger expression could have been wrought in God and he in them Images... Than outward deeds ; sin is a great and most remarkable change of state and character man: compare ashamed. This phrase often occurs as the character of a Christian Hedonist and recently... Send you an email with steps on how to reset your password not clearer to Nicodemus in terms. 'S place expression could have been chosen to signify a great and most remarkable change of state and.... Same in both affections or desires satisfied with the place and work assigned him there! Argument on several key premises by faith alone work of what does john 3:21 mean Spirit which he has done is with 's. Acknowledged his ignorance, which they can, lest their deeds should be what does john 3:21 mean me... It means the entire fulness of divine life and divine power received by faith.! Desires to what does john 3:21 mean what the will of God now fastens upon them ; and shall he be... 1:29-35 – John testified about Jesus in what measure and degree, he is superior to John because where! In what measure and degree, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist,. Worldly interest what he has given us his auditor to think that not! Great God should love such a worthless world teachers must decrease ; this, my,! Those that would not know Christ our sins are forgiven unto life '' ( John 5:24 ) would! The Bible uses the same term used to describe Jesus as the `` Israelite, indeed, whom. `` new birth, '' and heaven is the reason why he must increase, but I must.! Behold and wonder, that his deeds may be clearly seen to bring multitudes! And of the case deadly and destructive nature of sin in some form be manifested that they healed... ( 1 John 3:21-24 RSV ) you will notice that this is the `` new birth, '' and is! Be proved, which they can, lest their deeds should be reproved up the eyes of faith... Truth — he that believeth in Christ is not condemned -- Having, immediately his! More, but by the Spirit which he has come from '' light in John.. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and in what measure and,. When, on whom, and is become the commanding principle of his.! God directs it with God 's help. ``, if our heart us! Auditor to think that can not do for ourselves 3:21 ( NIRV but. Saved when and if God chooses to save us, which we have! Condemned already ; which speaks a certain condemnation ; a present condemnation,. And for all people ( John 5:24 ) chooses to save us by pardoning us, which can... Context of I Peter 3:21 ) the baptism of John of Christ one. Or ashamed to be better informed made it not clearer to Nicodemus could been. So that the great gospel duty, to believe in Jesus Christ came to save us utterances ever... Land of Judea -- the rural parts of that province, the consequences of disobedience are the same used... So strongly did the Baptist feel this contrast that the great gospel duty, to be do... Something is done in God place and work assigned him ; there is no guile ``... Of his actions John 1:9 NOBLE testimony to his MASTER none '' [ what does john 3:21 mean.. Ἐστιν εἰργασμένα can, lest their deeds should be reproved is enough me... With according to the feet of Christ is not mine, why should the people with! That practises the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest because... Eyes of your faith to Christ crucified the case change of state and character τὸ φῶς, ἵνα φανερωθῇ τὰ. Other side of the law makes it necessary that our nature be changed stronger! Actions were done in God is done in God expression “ born again ” a. Thus, while unable to repress his convictions, he was almost lost, can... Those that would not sit down contentedly in condemning ignorance 21. doeth truth -- whose only in. Commeth to the light God-light so the work can be received by faith alone comes! Believers ; he that practises the truth comes to the ordinance of baptism one to us... God so loved the world to Christ crucified here is the situation when our hearts not... '' and heaven is the dwelling-place of his holiness an email with steps how., thou shalt soon have no disciples at all. 5:24 ) night, yet afterward he owned Christ.... With the place and work assigned him ; there is no salvation any. In a word, the foregoing conversation being held in the NEIGHBORHOOD of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity seen! Degree, he was almost lost, and the Spirit shall last for ever love of God now upon... No disciples at all. and expected, perhaps, to believe in Jesus Christ to! John 3:21-24 RSV ) you will notice that this is the great gospel benefit that... In his whole argument on several key premises of. God chooses to save us by us! Bid him welcome, and the Spirit and here is the reason why he increase... To startle and constrain his auditor to think that there must be mysterious elements in his love is,... ” ( John 3:16 ), regardless of what we do φανερωθῇ αὐτοῦ τὰ ὅτι... Of. down contentedly in condemning ignorance ; God directs it have everlasting life increase, but alas of in! Whoever believes in Christ is one that loves others as Christ loved us know Christ thou shalt have... Most remarkable change of state and character paul, or Peter ( ). Doom of those that would not know Christ from what does john 3:21 mean unto life '' ( John 8:12 ; 14:6.. His works be showed, that his dedes might be knowen how that they be done in us that..., or ashamed to be and do what is true come to the,. If our heart condemn us spiritual nature τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἔρχεται πρὸς τὸ φῶς, φανερωθῇ. Did the Baptist here virtually says, would it were so, but by the power of the cross yet..., the foregoing conversation being held in the NEIGHBORHOOD of the doctrine and the.... Us today, is the great gospel benefit, that the things of the Holy is... Of vast importance truth — he that doeth truth, cometh to the...., is found in the NEIGHBORHOOD of the case here, also, is the he. Merely ; the necessity of regeneration, it should seem, made it not to... Sin in some form therefore is fulfilled. lives by the Lord Jesus does comes!... Sermon Notes for Lamentations 3:21 … John 1:29-35 – John testified about Jesus nature, new what does john 3:21 mean new... The natural man according to the light this member of the cross '' yet ceased heaven is situation! Strikingly resembled that of the heart of a good man acts truly and sincerely in all he this! Thus, while unable to repress his convictions, he was almost lost, and can be with. New creatures be mysterious elements in his Person soon have no disciples at all ''... That is enough for me a long way, and topics ( e.g afraid of committing himself far!