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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 16:8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/16-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/43_Jhn_16_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 16:8 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit " /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nasb77/john/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; <a href="/lsb/john/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; <a href="/amp/john/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: <a href="/csb/john/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: <a href="/hcsb/john/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: <a href="/asv/john/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: <a href="/cev/john/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God's justice and the judgment. <a href="/erv/john/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: <a href="/gwt/john/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God's approval, and to convince the world that God judges it. <a href="/gnt/john/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgment. <a href="/isv/john/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> When he comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment— <a href="/msb/john/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: <a href="/net/john/16.htm">NET Bible</a> And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment-- <a href="/nheb/john/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, and about righteousness, and about judgment; <a href="/wbt/john/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: <a href="/wey/john/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He, when He comes, will convict the world in respect of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; -- <a href="/web/john/16.htm">World English Bible</a> When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and having come, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment; <a href="/blb/john/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having come, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment: <a href="/ylt/john/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and having come, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment; <a href="/slt/john/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And having come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment. <a href="/cpdv/john/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment: <a href="/nabre/john/16.htm">New American Bible</a> And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: <a href="/nrsvce/john/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when he is come, he will rebuke the world concerning sin, concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And when he comes, he will correct the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment;”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when he has come, he will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. <a href="/godbey/john/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And having come, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And when he cometh, he will convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment: <a href="/mace/john/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, of justice, of judgment: <a href="/wey/john/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He, when He comes, will convict the world in respect of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; -- <a href="/worrell/john/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And, having come, He will convict the world respecting sin, and righteousness, and judgment:<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And when He comes, He will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/16-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=5717" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/16.htm">The Promise of the Holy Spirit </a> …7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And when</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthōn (V-APA-NMS) -- To come, go. ">He comes,</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinos (DPro-NMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">He</a> <a href="/greek/1651.htm" title="1651: elenxei (V-FIA-3S) -- (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish.">will convict</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmon (N-AMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">in regard to</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-GFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sin</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time."></a> <a href="/greek/1343.htm" title="1343: dikaiosynēs (N-GFS) -- From dikaios; equity; specially justification.">righteousness</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time."></a> <a href="/greek/2920.htm" title="2920: kriseōs (N-GFS) -- Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.">judgment:</a> 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/2-37.htm">Acts 2:37</a> When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” <a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26-27</a> When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. / And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning. <a href="/john/14-26.htm">John 14:26</a> But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm">1 Corinthians 14:24-25</a> But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, / and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!” <a href="/romans/8-16.htm">Romans 8:16</a> The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. <a href="/1_john/5-6.htm">1 John 5:6</a> This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. <a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a> Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son. <a href="/isaiah/11-4.htm">Isaiah 11:4</a> but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:5</a> because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake. <a href="/2_corinthians/7-9.htm">2 Corinthians 7:9-10</a> yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. / Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a> For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. <a href="/ezekiel/36-27.htm">Ezekiel 36:27</a> And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/micah/3-8.htm">Micah 3:8</a> As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. <a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Romans 2:15</a> So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:he will.<a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a> And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.<a href="/acts/2-37.htm">Acts 2:37</a> Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?<a href="/acts/16-29.htm">Acts 16:29,30</a> Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, … reprove.<a href="/john/8-9.htm">John 8:9,46</a> And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst… <a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm">1 Corinthians 14:24</a> But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:<a href="/jude/1-15.htm">Jude 1:15</a> To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/13-3.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Convict</a> <a href="/jude/1-22.htm">Convince</a> <a href="/philippians/1-28.htm">Demonstration</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/john/12-31.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/john/12-31.htm">Judgement</a> <a href="/john/12-31.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/luke/22-65.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/luke/19-39.htm">Reprove</a> <a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/john/7-24.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/john/15-24.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/15-19.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/19-28.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Convict</a> <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Convince</a> <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Demonstration</a> <a href="/john/18-38.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/john/16-11.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/john/16-11.htm">Judgement</a> <a href="/john/16-11.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/john/16-9.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Reprove</a> <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/john/16-10.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/john/16-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/16-11.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">John 16</div>1. <a href="/john/16-1.htm">Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension;</a> 23. <a href="/john/16-23.htm">assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable.</a> 33. <a href="/john/16-33.htm">Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And when He comes This phrase refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus to His disciples. The context is the Upper Room Discourse, where Jesus prepares His followers for His departure. The Holy Spirit's coming is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-29</a>, where God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people. The Spirit's arrival at Pentecost (Acts 2) marks the beginning of His active role in the world and the church.He will convict the world The term "convict" implies a legal or judicial process, suggesting the Holy Spirit's role in revealing truth and exposing error. The "world" here refers to humanity in its fallen state, often in opposition to God. The Spirit's work is universal, not limited to believers, and involves bringing awareness of spiritual realities to all people.in regard to sin The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, highlighting humanity's rebellion against God. This conviction is necessary for repentance and salvation. Sin, in this context, is primarily unbelief in Jesus (<a href="/john/16-9.htm">John 16:9</a>), which is the root of all other sins. The Spirit's role is to reveal the truth of Jesus' identity and mission, leading people to recognize their need for a Savior.and righteousness Righteousness here refers to the standard of holiness required by God, exemplified in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of righteousness by demonstrating the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus, who fulfilled all righteousness (<a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Matthew 3:15</a>). This conviction also involves revealing the inadequacy of human righteousness and the necessity of Christ's righteousness imputed to believers (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a>).and judgment The Holy Spirit convicts the world of judgment, emphasizing the reality of divine justice. This includes the judgment of Satan, the ruler of this world, who has been condemned through Christ's victory on the cross (<a href="/john/16-11.htm">John 16:11</a>). It also points to the future judgment of all humanity, where each person will be held accountable for their response to Jesus (<a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Revelation 20:11-15</a>). The Spirit's conviction serves as a warning and a call to repentance before the final judgment.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker in this passage, preparing His disciples for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a> Referred to as "He" in this verse, the Holy Spirit is promised by Jesus to come and fulfill specific roles. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, who are being prepared for the new era of the Spirit's work. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> Represents humanity at large, which will be convicted by the Holy Spirit. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sin,_righteousness,_and_judgment.htm">Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment</a> The three areas in which the Holy Spirit will convict the world.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit is not just a comforter but also a convictor. His work involves bringing awareness of sin, the need for righteousness, and the reality of judgment. <a href="/topical/c/conviction_of_sin.htm">Conviction of Sin</a> The Spirit reveals the truth about sin, leading individuals to recognize their need for repentance and salvation through Christ. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_righteousness.htm">Understanding Righteousness</a> The Spirit convicts us of the righteousness available through faith in Jesus, contrasting human self-righteousness with God's standard. <a href="/topical/a/awareness_of_judgment.htm">Awareness of Judgment</a> The Spirit's conviction includes a reminder of the coming judgment, urging believers to live in a way that reflects their faith and hope in Christ. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a> Believers are called to be sensitive to the Spirit's conviction in their lives, allowing Him to guide their actions and decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 16</a> <a href="/q/what_is_a_mourner's_bench.htm">What is a mourner's bench?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_spirit_convict_of.htm">What does the Holy Spirit convict the world of?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_conviction_of_sin_mean.htm">What does conviction of sin mean?</a> <a href="/q/holy_spirit's_role_in_tribulation.htm">What role does the Holy Spirit play during tribulation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world.--Better, as in margin, convince the world. (Comp. <a href="/john/3-20.htm" title="For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.">John 3:20</a>; <a href="/john/8-46.htm" title="Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?">John 8:46</a>.) The only other passages where it occurs in the Gospels are in <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm" title="Moreover if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother.">Matthew 18:15</a>, and <a href="/luke/3-19.htm" title="But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,">Luke 3:19</a>. It is not in the better reading of <a href="/john/8-9.htm" title="And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle.">John 8:9</a>; but it occurs not unfrequently in the Epistles. (See especially Note on <a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm" title="But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:">1Corinthians 14:24</a>.) This conviction of the world is by witness concerning Christ (<a href="/john/15-26.htm" title="But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:">John 15:26</a>). It is the revelation to the hearts of men of the character and work of Christ, and, therefore, a refutation of the evil in their hearts. The result of this conviction is two-fold, according as men embrace it, accept its chastening discipline, and are saved by it; or reject it, and in the rejection harden their hearts, and are thus condemned by it. (Comp. <a href="/context/2_corinthians/2-15.htm" title="For we are to God a sweet smell of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:">2Corinthians 2:15-16</a>.) The effect of St. Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost is the first great historical comment on this verse; but the comment is continued in the whole history of the Church's work. The remainder of the verse enumerates the three steps in this conviction, which are more fully defined in the three following verses. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - And he, when he is come (ἐλθών). A right royal assurance. The Holy Spirit will come, as my grace and the result of my sending. He will convict the world. Little doubt is now entertained that this ἔλεγχος implies the refutation of error, the discovery of wrong-doing, the bringing it home to the person convinced, and thus convicted (<a href="/john/3-20.htm">John 3:20</a>; <a href="/john/8-9.htm">John 8:9, 46</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm">1 Corinthians 14:24</a>; <a href="/titus/1-9.htm">Titus 1:9</a>; <a href="/james/2-9.htm">James 2:9</a>); making such a one see that he is open to the condemnation of conscience, or of men, or of the Law of God. This conviction may in some cases lead to conversion and deliverance, but is distinct from it, and sometimes also may issue after such a manifestation in hardness and impenitence. The patristic interpretation (Authorized Version and Hengstenberg), "He will reprove," might pass as a fair translation of the word, in its reference to sin, but would have small meaning as applied to righteousness or judgment. Meyer, Godet, Luthardt, Lange, Westcott, Stier, and Moulton agree that ἔλεγξει means more than "reprove," less than "convince." The world is spoken of, not Jews merely, or their leaders. Humanity itself, with its false standards of judgment, and its self-complacency, is to be convicted of being in the wrong; all kings, princes, potentates, priests, and publicans, who are out of harmony with God, wilt be convicted by the Paraclete. The conviction of the world is threefold - in respect of sin, in respect of righteousness, and in respect of judgment. The three great categories of thought, custom, and conduct; the three themes where the world is in infinite need of being compelled to see that it is altogether in the wrong. The disciples are to overcome the whole world by the intensity with which they will be instrumentally the occasion of this conviction. The world under the depressing and distracting influence of its own principles, as well as its passions, has misconceived the whole nature of "sin," the entire mystery of "righteousness," the certainty of retribution, and the things and principles on which condign "judgment" must fall. The Advocate, the Divine, indwelling Spirit of the truth, whom Christ will send into his disciples as compensation for his own absence, will through them do this strange and tremendous work. Our Lord does not here promise the conversion of mankind, but such a conviction that the blessed consequence may follow. The first great step will be taken. <a href="/commentaries/john/16-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And [when] Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. He comes, ἐλθὼν (elthōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. He ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. will convict ἐλέγξει (elenxei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1651.htm">Strong's 1651: </a> (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world κόσμον (kosmon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). in regard to περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. sin ἁμαρτίας (hamartias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. righteousness δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosynēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1343.htm">Strong's 1343: </a> From dikaios; equity; specially justification. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. judgment: κρίσεως (kriseōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2920.htm">Strong's 2920: </a> Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/16-8.htm">John 16:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/16-8.htm">NT Gospels: John 16:8 When he has come he will convict (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/16-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 16:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 16:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/16-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 16:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 16:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>