John 15:26 Commentary and Bible Study

Just as the disciples are in despair and are saying, ‘Well then, what hope have we? Who will listen to us? What will happen if the world is by nature so against us?’, Christ tells them, ‘But when the Comforter is come,’ the helper, the protector, the advocate, ‘whom I will send unto you from the Father.’ The language is beautiful. The Holy Spirit comes from Christ, the Holy Spirit also comes from the Father. Well because they are one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are separate members of the Godhead, and yet they are one, and so the Holy Spirit comes from Christ and the Father, and of himself.We are going to read more about that in the next chapter. ‘He shall testify of me.’ He will vindicate me. He will trouble hearts. He will somehow by working in the hearts of men and women make them aware, demonstrate to them that I was the eternal Son of God and they have rejected me. He will attest me, authenticate me, and what is more, he will convince not the majority but many a people, and their hearts will melt and they will turn to me. You are going to be instruments even though the world hates you. I leave you in position, provoking persecution. What a relief, the disciples may think. This mysterious Holy Spirit of God who is God will come when the Saviour leaves them, and he will somehow work powerfully, marvellously, mysteriously, invisibly, in the hearts of men. And many will turn, and even among those who will not turn, there will often be deep discomfort and they will know they are wrong, even if they resist. Marvellous.