João 3
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 3
Utley on ruler - Those who thought they had arrived spiritually were told they had to begin again. Faith in Jesus, not adherence to rules (even godly rules), nor racial background, determines one’s citizenship in the Kingdom. God’s gift in Christ, not sincere, aggressive human religiosity, is the door to divine acceptance. Nicodemus’ acknowledgment of Jesus as a teacher from God, though true, was not adequate. Personal trust, exclusive trust, ultimate trust in Jesus as the Messiah is fallen mankind’s only hope! (John 3) John
João 3
Utley - The point is that the wind has freedom, as does the Spirit. One cannot see the wind, but rather its effects; so, too the Spirit. Man’s salvation is not in his control, but is in the Spirit’s control (John 3)
João 3
Utley says must "is a strong affirmation of John’s understanding of himself as simply a forerunner of the greater and more significant ministry of Jesus." (John 3)
João 3
Utley - There has been much discussion among commentators over whether these verses are (1) John the Baptist’s continuing verbal affirmations; or (2) the words of Jesus (cf. 3:11–12); or (3) of John the Apostle. These verses return to the themes of vv. 16–21." (John 3) John the Baptist has just stated Jesus must increase (Jn 3:30) and now he explains why this must be so, emphasizing first His superior origin from Heaven. Stated another way here is the reason why He must increase while all human teachers must decrease. He who comes from above (anothen) is above (epanos) all - NLT has "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else." (Jn 3:13+). No one, however exalted a prophet, can rival Him. John is referring of course to Jesus "Who descended from heaven." Comes is in the present tense signifying "The coming regarded as still in process of manifestation." (Vincent) From above is the adverb anothen which is translated again in the phrase born again (or "born from above") in Jn 3:3 and Jn 3:7 and in those two passages clearly describes the heavenly origin of the new birth. In the same way John says Christ comes from above or from heaven (cf Jn 3:13; Jn 6:33, 38, 50–51, 58; Jn 8:42; Jn 13:3; Jn 16:28; Jn 17:8; 1 Cor. 15:47; Eph. 4:10). Note above all signifies that Jesus is not just above John the Baptist but ALL men in general. Notice below the words for above are different, the first (anothen) alluding to Jesus' pre-existence and deity in coming from Heaven (above anothen) and the second (epanos) speaks of the fact that Christ is over all creation (listen to the song below). The heavenly origin of Jesus makes him supreme over all men, who are wholly of earthly origin. --- R C H Lenski (Borrow The Interpretation of St. John's Gospel) Utley has an interesting comment - “He who comes from above” It is significant that the two titles used for the Messiah emphasize His pre-existence and full deity (cf. Jn 3:31), and His incarnation and God-given mission (cf. Jn 3:34). The term “from above” (anothen) is the same term used in the phrase “born again” or “born from above” in Jn 3:3. (John 3) Paul reiterates this truth after describing Christ emptying, taking the form of a bondservant and dying on the Cross... For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Php 2:9-11+) Ron Mattoon - In a day where people tend to worship rock stars, movie stars, and athletes, whose fame is fickle and fleeting, the Bible tells us that Christ is above all for eternity. No name compares to Jesus. His name will out live Washington, Lincoln, Napoleon, Caesar, Einstein, Mozart, or Beethoven. Kings will bow to Him for He is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.
João 3
Utley - Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation (cf. 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:13–20+; Heb. 1:1–3+). He speaks out of (1) His personal experience with God the Father, and (2) His own deity. (John 3) Matthew
João 3
Utley notes that He who has received is "an AORIST PARTICIPLE while Jn 3:36 (believes) is a PRESENT PARTICIPLE. This shows that trusting in God for salvation is not only an initial decision (ED: aorist = at a point in time in past) but it is also a life of discipleship (ED: present tense = lifestyle, habitual practice). This same affirmation of the need for acceptance has been previously stated both in Jn 1:12+ (received = aorist and believes = present) and Jn 3:16–18. Notice the dichotomy between accepting the testimony (v. 33) and continuing to walk in it (v. 36). (John 3) J Ramsey Michaels writes that "Most interpreters conclude that it refers to anyone, anywhere, who ever “received” Jesus or “believed in his name” (as in 1:12), and that it functions as a kind of invitation to the reader to do exactly that. Yet the aorist participle with the definite article (ho labōn) suggests a more specific reference, possibly to John himself, who has just acknowledged “receiving” only what heaven had to give (John 3:27), and who “received” from Jesus “fullness” and “grace upon grace” (Jn 1:16). The two options are not mutually exclusive, for John is, as we have seen (Jn 1:15–16, 20, 34+), the first among many believers in Jesus in a Gospel that has come (whether by chance or design) to bear his name." (Borrow The Gospel of John)
João 3
Utley adds that "there are two parallel statements in v. 34 which show that Jesus’ authority comes from God: (1) God has sent Him, and (2) He has the fulness of the Spirit." (John 3) Words (4487)(rhema from verb rheo = to speak - to say, speak or utter definite words) refers to the spoken word, especially a word as uttered by a living voice. Laleo is another word translated speak but it refers only to uttering a sound whereas rheo refers to uttering a definite intelligible word. Rhema refers to any sound produced by the voice which has a definite meaning. It focuses upon the content of the communication. He gives the Spirit without measure - The subject He is God the Father giving the Spirit to His Son and underscoring the intimate interconnectedness of the Father and the Son. THOUGHT - "This brings out the full humanity of Jesus. As a man, He had to rely constantly on the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17; 15:26), which enabled Him to speak the true words of God. In this, He modeled for us how we are to live in dependence on God’s Spirit." (Steven Cole). (See also The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked!) Leon
João 3
Utley - This affirmation is repeated in Jn 5:20 and Jn 17:23–26. Believers’ relationship to God is founded on His love for the Messiah. Note the number of reasons stated in this context why humans should trust Jesus as the Messiah: (1) because He is from above and above all others (v. 31); (2) because He was sent from God on a mission of redemptions (v. 34); (3) because God continues to give Him the fulness of the Spirit (v. 34); (4) because God loves Him (v. 35); and (5) because God has put everything in His hands (v. 35). (John 3)
João 3
Utley - These verbals are all PRESENT ACTIVE which speak of ongoing action. Belief is more than a one time decision no matter how sincere or emotional it may have been (cf. Matt. 13:20). This affirms that without knowing Jesus one cannot know the Father (cf. John 12:44–50 and 1 John 5:10). Salvation only comes through a continuing relationship with Jesus, the Son. It is also interesting to note the contrast of “believe” and “obey” in this verse. The Gospel is not only a person whom we receive and a truth that we accept, but it is also a life that we live (cf. Luke 6:46; Eph. 2:8–10). (John 3) He who believes in the Son has eternal life - Believes is in the present tense, signifying belief as a lifestyle, which does not speak of perfection but does speak of direction (heavenward and not hell-ward!) The verb has is also in the present tense, so that they phrase has eternal life indicates present and continuing possession, not just future hope (it is that of course also!) This should elicit a "Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!" We do not have to wait to see if we will be granted eternal life! In other words eternal life begins the moment a person believes in Jesus and is born again. Jesus reiterates this truth declaring "Truly, truly, (amen, amen) I say to you, he who hears (present tense = continually) My word, and believes (present tense = continually) Him who sent Me (see Scriptures on sent), has (present tense = continually has) eternal life, and does not (NOT IS ABSOLUTE = ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT) come into judgment (cf Ro 8:1+), but has passed out of (PAST TENSE - the moment of belief in Jesus) death into life." (Jn 5:24+) John writes in his first epistle... And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11+) J C