John 16:22-28, Principles and application

We end our look at John 16:22-28 with a summary of important principles and some thoughts on application.


The initial overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.

The previous verse close ups can be found at the following links:   16:22, 16:23,  16:24,  16:25, 16:26-27   and 16:28.

 

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!

John 16:22-28

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.  (Joh 16:22)

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  (Joh 16:23)

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  (Joh 16:24)

"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.  (Joh 16:25)

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;  (Joh 16:26)

for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  (Joh 16:27)

I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."  (Joh 16:28)

The following sections of Biblical principles and Application are based on a method described in Living By The Book by Howard Hendricks

Biblical principles

1.  Fundamental universal truths in this passage:

• Jesus came from the Father and into the world.  If we believe in Jesus, the Father will love us and fill us with joy (which is different  from the self centered pleasure we all often seek-see notes to John 16:22)  We are now able to have direct communication with God Himself!  Because of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection we can ask God and talk to God directly as Jesus' successful earthly mission acted as our intercessor once and for all.

2.  What does this truth address in my situation?

• When I ignore God's will in my life to pursue my own pleasures it usually doesn't go so well!  I need to constantly  communicate with God!
• I need to always remember that the line of communication is open.  I just need to make use of it.  Pray directly to the Father in the name of His Son Jesus Christ!  That is important.  We (I) must acknowledge Jesus' authority and that He is our savior and redeemer!

Application

1.  Is there an example to follow?

• YES!  We should pray directly and often as Jesus does!

2.  Is there a sin to avoid?

• Yes, unbelief and not talking to God.  It does seem like not following Jesus' commands regarding this topic would be a sin.

3. Is there a promise to claim?

• YES!  God will listen and answer us if we ask in Jesus' name.  We will rejoice and and be full and no one will be able to take that joy away!!

4.  Is there a command to follow?

• Yes,We are to believe in Jesus and love Him and we are to speak to and ask the Father directly in Jesus' name.

5.  Is there a condition to be met?

• YES!  We must believe in and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  We must know and believe that Jesus came forth from the Father, died for our sins and rose again on the third day.

8.  Is there an error to mark?

• Well?? Maybe more of a misconception about  us needing Jesus to always speak to the Father on our behalf.  Jesus' actions (His sacrifice and resurrection) have made it possible for us to speak directly to the Father. (provided we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord).  So once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord then we are able to ask the Father directly.

Personal application

• I need to really know and understand that God always listens and answers in the way that is best and according to His will.  Know that we must always ask and pray in Jesus' name.  I must always acknowledge Jesus' authority and Lordship!  And I must always converse with God.  I must keep the communication open and never let my guard down.  Never!  Always talk to God.  That is why Jesus died and rose again.  So that we (I) COULD have that  type of relationship with God!  For without Jesus' death and resurrection we are not able to be in a right relationship with the Father Himself.

That concludes our look at John 16:22-28.  After Christmas I will begin to look at Matthew 5:2-12.

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:22-28, today's verse is John 16:28

Today we finish our verse by verse overview of John 16:22-28.

The initial overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.

 

The previous verse close ups can be found at the following links:   16:22, 16:23,  16:24,  16:25, and 16:26-27. 

 

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!  

 

 

John 16:28

"I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father."
(John 16:28)

Grammatical Considerations

Declaration of time:  "I came forth..."  Jesus states that he did come from the Father to come into the world!

Declaration of time 2:  "I am leaving and going to the Father."  Jesus again states that in the (near) future He will leave the world and go back to the Father.  This is important as the previous verses center around what will happen "..in that day."  Everything centers around the fact He came forth from the Father and that He is going back to the Father.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

 

 

Came forth:

See notes to John 16:27 

into the world:

• E Sword Concordance Search--- Joh 1:9  Joh 3:17  Joh 3:19  Joh 6:14  Joh 11:27  Joh 12:46      Joh 17:18  1Ti 1:15 Heb 1:6  1Jn 4:9 

• Definition----The world is differentiated from the Spirit realm  Jesus came forth from the Father into the world.  Jesus was not of this world but came to us to die for our sins and rise again on the third day so that we may be forgiven.

 

leaving:

One key definition means to permit and another to let go free.  Jesus' death and resurrection were part of the Father's plan.  Can also mean TO FORGIVE!!  WOW!

Other Relevant Cross References

 

Joh 8:14  Joh 13:1  Joh 13:3  Joh 17:5  Act 1:9-11  Joh 7:29 Heb 9:24 1Pe 2:21

Summation

Jesus sums it all up in this sentence.  He came forth from the Father and into this world.  Jesus did what He was sent to do (save us from our sins) and is going back to His rightful place with the Father!  Knowing that the Greek word for leaving also means to forgive adds even more weight to this verse!

 In the next post we will try to tie the verses together and look at some application.  (although application is often very personal).

 

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:22-28 Continued, Today's Verse(s) are John 16:26-27

Today we will look at two verses since they are connected as one complete thought.  To look at them separately would be to miss the point.

The initial overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.

 

The previous verse close ups can be found at the following links:   16:22, 16:23,  16:24 and 16:25. 

 
For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!

John 16:26-27

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
(John 16:26-27)

 Grammatical Considerations

Declaration of Time:  "In that day..."  means future tense.  What Jesus is explaining to His disciples will happen in the future.  

Connective word:  "for..."  The second statement (John 16:27) explains the first statement. (John 16:26)

Cause and effect:  The disciples (and us) will ask in Jesus' name and He will not need to ask on our behalf  "....FOR the Father Himself loves you, BECAUSE you have loved me and have believed that I cam from God."  (capitalization added by me for effect)  We can ask in Jesus' name BECAUSE the Father loves us BECAUSE we love His Son, Jesus Christ.

Important terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

ask:

• E-Sword concordance search-- Mat 6:8  Mat 7:7  Mat 7:11  Mat 21:22  Mar 11:24  Luk 11:9       Joh 14:13-14  Joh 15:7  Joh 15:16  Jas 1:5-6  Jas 4:2-3  1Jn 3:22  1Jn 5:14-16  

• Definition--To request, beseech, sometimes even demand.

in My name:

• Definition--Of Christ the Messiah as where His name is said so as to be honored, revered. believed on.  When something is done in His name, meaning in and through Him and through FAITH in Him.  Implying authority...to come or do something in or by the name of someone (in this case Jesus!)  By praying in his name we are acknowledging Jesus' authority and lordship.  
• Also to invoke
• Further cross references:   Many references where the apostles have questions for Jesus.  This verse is Jesus telling them they will not have questions any longer on the day they see Him again (His resurrection).  Isa 65:24  Mat 21:22  Heb 10:19-23  Heb 7:25-26  Col 3:17  Heb 10:19-23   

request:

• E Sword Concordance Search---- 1Th 4:1  1Th 5:12  2Th 2:1    1Jn 5:16     
• Definition-----To entreat, beseech with an accounting of that person  or thing.      

Himself:

• When used it this context it sets that person apart from the rest.  And obviously Jesus is trying to explain to the apostles just how special it is that God Himself loves them (and us).  The Himself adds emphasis.  (also can mean of one's own motion---God chooses to love us!)

loves:

• E Sword Concordance Search---  Joh 10:17  Joh 14:21  Joh 14:23 1Jn 2:15  1Jn 5:1  Mat 10:37     Joh 7:29  Rom 8:31  Gal 4:4  1Ti 1:15 
• Definition----The use of phileo for love here could possibly have some special meaning as philo means friend...and/or having the same interest.....and Phileo is used in both instances of the word in this verse.  Ie:  God loves us now in a different way (??) than before since we have loved His Son!  Or a better way to put it might be that we have moved into a CLOSER relationship with God than before.   (God has always loved us)  Our relationship to the Father is different now because we have (by our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord)  decided to follow(and obey) the interests and commands of God.   To be honest, I feel like I am just shy of the correct words here! 

believed:

• E Sword Concordance Search---Mat 8:13  Luk 1:45  Joh 1:12    Joh 3:18  Joh 4:50    Joh 11:40  Joh 17:8    Joh 20:29    Gal 3:6  Heb 4:3  Jas 2:23  1Jn 5:10 
• Definition:----to be firmly persuaded as to something .  Also to believe in God, to trust in Him as able and willing to help and answer prayer.

came from (or came forth):

• E Sword Concordance Search---Joh 16:28  Joh 17:8 
• Definition---Of one from whose presence one goes forth with authority.  (also as with liquids-to flow out of)  Jesus came from God WITH AUTHORITY given to Him by God the Father!  Also to come from someones presence.

Other relevant cross-references:

Zep 3:17  Heb 12:6  Jud 1:20-21  1Pe 1:8  Eph 6:24   1Jn 4:19  Joh 14:16  Gal 4:4-6  Rom 8:3  Isa 63:9  Heb 10:19-23

Summation

  In that day (Jesus' resurrection-the day His mission on earth was completed) we (once we accept Him as our Savior) will understand and ask the Father in the name of Jesus.  Jesus also states plainly that he will not ask the Father on our behalf.  In 16:27 he continues that thought....

"for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."    Joh_16:27    Once again it seems that Jesus' job as intercessor for us was completed once and for all at his Sacrifice and Resurrection.

God!  Himself!  Loves us! (phileo-we are closer now--He always loved us..that is why He sent His son) We are in a new and right relationship with Him because we have Loved his Son and have believed that Jesus came from the Father!  And we believe that Jesus came to the earth from the Father with the authority (given to Him by the Father) to take away our sins with His sacrifice and resurrection, thus enabling this new and beautiful relationship we have with the Father.


Because we love His Son Jesus Christ and because we understand and acknowledge Jesus' authority given to Him by the Father, we have entered a new relationship of love with the Father.  The use of phileo for love highlights this right relationship as this connotes a different kind of love.   In other words we are on the same page as God now.  (The page He wants us to be on!)  Because we have believed and love His Son Jesus, we are now finally in the right relationship with God.  We are now trying and striving for the things He wants us to try and strive for. (we still fail some times---but now we can be corrected as our overriding desire is to continue to grow and improve our relationship with the Father!  It is only now that we are starting to live as He wants us to live)

(I still feel like I am just shy of the correct words here!  Idea is correct but I must admit some clearer words are needed from me!)

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:22-28 continued, Today's verse: John 16:25

Today we continue our study of John 16:22-28 with a closer look at John 16:25.  The initial overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.

 

The previous verse close ups can be found at the following links:   John 16:22, 16:23, and 16:24. 

 

 

John 16:25

 

I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.  (John 16:25)

Grammatical Considerations

Declaration of time:  "I HAVE said these things..."  Jesus makes it clear that his use of parables (figures of speech, has been His way of teaching His disciples.  He is also about to tell them that this method will change.

Declaration of time 2:  "The hour is coming...I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech...but will tell you plainly about the Father."    In the future Jesus will NO LONGER speak in figures of speech.  He promises that.  He will begin to speak plainly (nothing hidden) to His disciples.

Important terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

          

figurative language:

• Definition----This word(s) (also figures of speech or proverbs in the KJV) is only found in this verse!!  No matter what version I look in!!!  Although according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, John uses this synonymously with parable.  But  a parable tends to be more of a brief discourse where the fictitious is used to represent and illustrate the real.  This same word is used as proverb in 2Pe 2:22.  Either way it highlights how up to this point Jesus explained things to his apostles and others through parables as they were yet unready for it in plain language.  Jesus' parables were told to provide a vision of life, especially like in God's kingdom.  These parables were proclamations of the gospel.  The hearer must respond and is invited by the story to make a decision.

hour:

• Definition---Jesus often uses this word to describe a time as yet to come.  Usually with reference to His Glory or Second Coming.

plainly:

• ESword Concordance Search---John 16:29 
• Definition---exactness of speech
• Other cross references----John 16:12,  Mat 13:10-11,  Mat 13:34-35,  2Co 3:12-18,  Psa 78:2 

Summation

Jesus promises His Apostles (and us) that He will speak clearly and plainly to us about the Father. They were not ready for these things as Jesus had not yet come into His glory.  Once that was achieved all would be made clear to His apostles.  And the same is true for us.  Once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord and understand the sacrifice He made for us and understand and believe His resurrection Jesus will speak plainly to us through His words and the Scriptures.

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:22-28 continued----Today's verse, John 16:24

Today we continue our study of John 16:22-28 with a closer look at John 16:24.  The initial overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.


While the verse close ups of John 16:22 and 16:23 can be found here and here.

John 16:24

 

"Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."  (John 16:24)

 Grammatical Considerations

Declaration of time:   "Up until now..."  Jesus makes it clear that the type of communication He is stressing in these verse has not occurred as of yet!
Declaration of time 2:  "...and you will receive (and)...joy may be full."  These are things that WILL happen in the future. 
Connective word:  AND.  Cause and affect!  Ask in Jesus' name AND we will receive.  THAT.  We shall ask and receive so THAT our joy will be full.  Cause and affect!

These declarations of time are important.  Jesus is discussing the change in our relationship with the Father and how that will affect how we ask and pray to the Father.  This change had not happened yet but DID once Jesus' rose again after His sacrifice on the cross.  (The "day" that Jesus refers to in John 16:23)

Important terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

          

asked and ask:    see notes to John 16:23

name (in my name):    see notes to John 16:23

receive:

• ESword concordance search---Mat 5:7  Mat 21:22  Mar 6:11 John 3:27  John 7:39   Rom 5:17  James 1:12  James  4:3  1John  5:14
• Definition---to take in whatever manner, to accept

joy:  see notes to John 16:22

 It is important to reiterate that joy is used in connotation with a relationship with God!  That is what will be made full!  That is our true joy.  Joy and pleasure are set apart in the Bible.  Pleasure is a self-centered pursuit.  When we are in our joy (full and growing relationship with God!) we also tend to ask more of the right things because we are trying to live and do what God wants us to do. (James 4:3)  When we are not living in our joy (relationship with God) then we are often asking for things of pleasure---in other words, following our own will and desires.  It is best to be in our JOY with God!  And this only comes from acceptance, acknowledgment and love of and for His Son, Jesus Christ!

full: 

• Definition---to be made full (often to fill an hollow vessel-such as us before we come too accept Jesus as our savior!)  Or to be fulfilled.

Other cross-references

Mat 7:7-8   Eph 1:16-17      Jas 4:1-10  John 15:11  1John 1:3-4  2John 1:12  Psalms 81:10
  

Summation:

Up until now the apostles  had not  asked anything of the Lord in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ.  Only now at the time of his sacrifice and resurrection had Jesus come into His glory.  Only now had He become our intercessor.  Only NOW can we be made FULL by asking and praying in the name of Jesus Christ.  For only now (once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord) are we in right relationship with God so as to approach and ask.

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:23 verse overview

We continue with our look at John 16:22-28.  The entire section overview can be found here.

And the verse overview of John 16:22 can be found here.

John 16:23          

"In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you."  (John 16:23)

Grammatical Considerations

Future tense:  "In that day"-What Jesus is referring to in this verse will happen at a later date from the time He spoke these words to His apostles.  These conditions would not occur until they saw Him again, after His resurrection. (direct context from John 16:22 )  Also see John 20:20, where the apostles do indeed rejoice when they see the risen Christ!

What will happen:  The apostles (and in the future, us!) will now ask nothing of Jesus!  We will now be able to ask the Father!  The day of which Jesus speaks is the day of His resurrection. (again see John 20:20)  And from that day on, those that have already and will eventually, believe on Him have a different relationship with the Father.  (Heb 10:19-23)

Jesus also makes it clear that whatever we ask the Father in Jesus' name we will receive!  And this is a tricky issue!  It could almost be seen as a blank check in the form of prayer! But it is not.  (more on this later)

Important terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

 

 

ask:

• E-Sword concordance search-- Mat 6:8  Mat 7:7  Mat 7:11  Mat 21:22  Mar 11:24  Luk 11:9       Joh 14:13-14  Joh 15:7  Joh 15:16  Jas 1:5-6  Jas 4:2-3  1Jn 3:22  1Jn 5:14-16  
• Definition--To request, beseech, sometimes even demand.

give-bestow upon:

• E-Sword concordance search--Luk 12:32  Joh 10:28  Joh 14:27  Rom 8:32
• Definition--anything,anything at all  (or something of consequence)

in My name:

• Definition--Of Christ the Messiah as where His name is said so as to be honored, revered. believed on.  When something is done in His name, meaning in and through Him and through FAITH in Him.  Implying authority...to come or do something in or by the name of someone (in this case Jesus!)  By praying in his name we are acknowledging Jesus' authority and lordship.  
• Also to invoke
• Further cross references:   Many references where the apostles have questions for Jesus.  This verse is Jesus telling them they will not have questions any longer on the day they see Him again (His resurrection).  Isa 65:24  Mat 21:22  Heb 10:19-23  Heb 7:25-26  Col 3:17  Heb 10:19-23     

As mentioned above John 16:23  almost sounds like a blank check!  But it is not!

James 1:5-7  makes it clear that faith is of the utmost importance:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  (James 1:5)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  (James 1:6)

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  (James 1:7)

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  (James 1:8)

And if one truly has faith and has accepted Jesus as his or her Savior and Lord then he or she will meet the conditions set forth in James_4:3-4:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  (James 4:3)

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  (James 4:4)

 
1John 5:15-16 also clarifies that we should ask according to God's will:

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  (1 John 5:14)

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.  (1 John 5:15)

To truly ask in Jesus' name with a sincere and humble spirit is what God wants.  When we ask only for our own gain or as James states-"passions", we are already on the wrong path.  

More cross references on prayer:

Mark 11:24  (faith is important in prayer)    James 4:1-5    James 1:5   (we need to see God as desiring to bless)   John 3:9  (we must know that God is free to respond to persons as He wishes)

Patience and persistence is required in prayer: Luke 18:1-7 

Some prayers are unanswered or denied in light of an eventual greater good.  In 2Co 12:7-9  Paul uses his own example to help teach us this fact.

Prayer should be seen as a dialogue according to the Holman Bible Dictionary.

Summation:  We do not need for Jesus to ask the Father on our behalf any longer  Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and resurrection (and our belief and acceptance of this fact) have made it possible to talk directly to the Father without an intercessor.  The chasm between God and man has been repaired. (See all of Romans for a discussion of this doctrine)  Jesus interceded for us once and for all when He died willingly on the cross and then rose again on the third day.  Now we can ask (and speak to) the Father directly 

Hebrews 10:19-23  Sums this up nicely:     

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  (Hebrews 10:19)

by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  (Hebrews 10:20)

and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  (Hebrews 10:21)

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  (Hebrews 10:22)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  (Hebrews 10:23)

Until next time!!

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:22-28, First verse: John 16:22

JOHN 16:22

After posting the initial overview of each section, I will then go through each verse.  These verse overviews are not meant to be the definitive thought on the verse or the section of Scripture.  They are just a part of the process.  The overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.  And now here is a breakdown of John 16:22

"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."  (John 16:22)

Some important grammatical considerations

Present tense:  The apostles sorrow will occur is now! (as Jesus is about to leave them)

Future tense:  They will see Jesus again, and they will have joy (Jesus compares the apostles situation to that of a woman given birth.  The woman will feel immense pain during childbirth but the joy that follows because of her new child should dull the memory of the recent pain:

"When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world."  (John 16:21))

Connective word:  AND-not only will they rejoice, no one will take that joy away...it will be permanent.

Important terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Sorrow

• Esword Concordance Search:   Est 9:22,   Psa 13:2,  Psa 119:28,  Pro 10:22.                              The actual word joy is not often used in the New Testament, except for the Gospel of John.
• Definition:  Grief.  Sadness.

Joy

• Search:  Mat 2:10,  Mat 13:20,  Mat 28:8,  Mar ,4:16  Luk 1:14,  Luk 2:10, Luk 15:7,  Joh 15:11 Joy can be found quite often in the Psalms:  Psa51:12.  Psa 126:5.  Paul also uses the word Joy quite a bit. 
• Definition:  to rejoice, gladness (joy imparted from the Holy Spirit) 
• Theological considerations:  Joy is different from pleasure.  Joy (the Greek word) is from a direct relationship with God.  Pleasure (again, the Greek word) is a self-centered pursuit.

Rejoice

• Search:  Paul often uses the word rejoice when discussing our hope in God in Romans. 
• Definition:  To be glad.  In this case an absolute sense of gladness.  (Jesus has been victorious!)  Opposite of mourning!  A constant state (according to Mounce) because of our relationship to Jesus.  In fact the first use of the Greek work in the NT is when the Magi see the star that leads them to baby Jesus. Mat 2:9-10
• Other notable cross references:  Joh 14:27,  Isa 25:9,  Joh 4:14,  Rom 8:35-39 

Verse Summation

The apostles' present sorrow is due to Jesus' impending sacrifice and death on the cross.  (Which Jesus has been discussing with the disciples at the Last Supper.)   What the disciples don't yet know and what Jesus is trying to tell them is that His resurrection will cause them to have absolute and final joy.  This rejoicing is the opposite of the mourning they will do just two days before Jesus' resurrection.  Jesus' victory ensures theirs and our salvation!  And no one can take away that gift.  It IS a gift from God.  Turning our sorrow into joy is a common theme in the Psalms and Isaiah.   Isa 51:11-12,  Isa 12:2-4  

In our next verse study Jesus will explain further to the apostles some of the reasons that they will feel this permanent joy.






“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

John 16:22-28-Initial Observations

John 16:22-28

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.  (John 16:22)

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  (John 16:23)

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  (John 16:24)

"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.  (John 16:25)

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;  (John 16:26)

for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  (John 16:27)

I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."  (John 16:28)

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Initial Observations

Things Emphasized: 

• That we will ask the Father in Jesus' name.  (and that we will not necessarily ask Jesus himself...nor will He need to ask the Father for us)
• Jesus will tell the apostles plainly about the Father.
• The nature of Jesus' relationship with and to the Father.
• The difference between asking Jesus and asking the Father in Jesus' name.

Things Repeated:

• The apostles (and we) will ask the Father in Jesus' name.

Cause and Effect:

• When the apostles see Jesus again they will rejoice and no one will take that joy from them.
• On the day of Jesus' resurrection things will be made clear, joy and peace will be received, and our relationship with the Father will have been changed.
• Our ability to ask the Father directly is a direct effect of our loving and believing in His Son, Jesus Christ!
• When we ask in Jesus' name we will receive, so that our joy will be made full.  (John_16:24)  
• God loves us because we love His Son Jesus, and because we believe that Jesus came from the Father Himself.

Author:

• The Apostle John.

People:

• Jesus
• His disciples.

Place and time:

• Location of The Passover Feast
• The night before Jesus' crucifixion.
• Jesus' last real teachings and words to his disciples before His sacrifice and resurrection.

Audience:

• Jesus' apostles (and by proxy--US!)
• Jesus' final discourse to His apostles, of which these verses are a part, is mostly in the future tense.  He is educating his disciples, and us, as to what will happen after His sacrifice and resurrection.

The Gospel of John:

• Emphasizes the deity in Jesus.
• Knowing (Jesus) and Believing (in Jesus) are key terms in John's Gospel.  Always used as verbs.
• John wants us to understand the divine nature of Jesus and that Jesus is our Savior!
• Also tends emphasizes the fact the we need to make a choice about Jesus!  

(sources for observation were the ESV, the NASB and Ryken's Bible Handbook) 

In my next post I will begin to dive into the individual verses.

A few thoughts on Bible study tools...........

As most good guides on Bible study (Living by the Book, How to Study the Bible for Yourself etc. etc.) will tell you:  It is always best to consult the Scriptures first before using various study aids and tools.  I think this is very true when it comes to commentaries!

As I don't know the Hebrew or Greek languages, I do find it imperative to use a good Bible Dictionary (both language and expository) early in the process.  In fact the esword concordance (search function) and the Word Study Dictionary are my two most consulted and valuable study tools! (After the Bible itself, of course)

What follows is  a briefly annotated list of the study aids I find the most valuable and why:

1)  Esword Bible Software:
---This software enables the user to get right to work.  The free download comes with the KJV Bible, the search feature (which acts as your concordance), and strong's dictionary.  A person could do just fine with just those modules!!  Other FREE modules include the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge reference tool, Matthew Henry's Commentary and others.   One can add other modules at cost as well if he or she so desires.  A great piece of software that allows the user to be more efficient with his or her Bible study time.   I cannot stress how useful that this software is!  Concordance searches are of the UTMOST importance in Bible study but they can be VERY time consuming when using books.  The Esword software cuts that time in half!  Searching the concordance is the largest and most frutiful part of my Bible study.  It is the basis for everything that follows.  And it is SO much easier when using the search function in ESword.

2)  ESV, REB, NASB, and the NLT:
---As I stated in an earlier post I do not plan on entertaining any debates over which Bible translation is good, better or worse.  Pick a few that speak to you and use them!  I like the four listed above.  They all read fairly differently and have proven very fruitful when comparing passages.  My favorite reading Bibles are the REB and the NKJV.  If you ARE torn by all the various opinions floating around regarding Bible translations I HIGHLY recommend the following book, "The Complete Guide To Bible Translations" by Dr. Rhodes.
Dr. Rhodes has a written a VERY unbiased description of all the major translations.  Really wonderful book that helped me to get past the "what translation should I use" obsession and get right down to studying!

3)  Complete Word Study Dictionary:
---You can buy the actual books OR purchase them as a complete module for esword (which is what I did!)
Much more detailed than Strong's and can also serve as an expository dictionary.  The esword module is tied into the strong's module so finding a word is as easy as clicking on it in the Bible verse.   I also consult Vine's expository dictionary and Mounce's expository dictionary but I could, and often do, get by with just using the Complete Word Study Dictionary.

4)  ESV Literary Study Bible or Ryken's Bible Handbook:
---These two sources are very similar.  Knowing the form of the literature can be huge and I think this an important resource and can bring a fresh perspective when reading and studying.   Ryken's handbook is great!  It does a great job of giving some introductory information to to get the student started, while still giving plenty of room for that student's self-discovery through his or her own study time and methods.  Highly recommended!

5)  Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
---As stated above this a free add-on module for Esword.  It is a great help when looking for additional Scriptural cross-references one may have missed during his or her own concordance searches.  I have found this to VERY valuable!


5)  Mathew Henry's Commentary--ESV Study Bible:
---After I have searched, checked out term definitions and let the Scriptural cross-references do most of the work I write a summary of the section I am studying.  I "check" this summary with Matthew Henry's Commentary and the ESV Study Bible commentary and a few others but these are the two best that I have found up to this point!  Notice I listed the commentaries LAST!  They ARE important and they should be checked but the tools that allow us to compare Scripture to Scripture are the most important.

Of course there are other study tools and software!  These are just the ones that I use find myself consulting the most.

Next post:  Finally, we begin to look at John 16:22-28.

My method of Bible Study

Since I am going to be sharing my Bible studies here on this blog, I thought it only fair that I share my method of study.

My method is based on having read Living By The Book by Howard Hendricks, and working through the accompanying workbook.

This was the book I found in the Denver Airport over two years ago.  I wasn't even interested in finding a book to read for the flight, let alone looking for a book on Bible study!  And yet I felt compelled to go to the bookstore and there it was!  I did not purchase the book right away but I got it soon thereafter and have been grateful to God ever since for sending me to that bookstore!  And I can not say enough about Henricks' book.  A truly wonderful textbook written by a master teacher.

Below is my method for studying a section of the Bible.  I have not yet worked up to studying an entire book.  I do jump around a bit.  Still if you are going to be reading my thoughts you should know how I go about it!
 
So here is my method based on the Howard Hendricks book:

PART I-READING, LABELING AND ASKING:

-Listen to it once @ the ESV study bible.

-Read the entire section in 3 or 4 translations

-Identify the paragraphs and label each with one or two words.

-Think on each paragraph and write down any questions I would need or like to have answered for that paragraph or the section as a whole.

PART II-OBSERVATION

Find and draw out the following considerations:

-Things emphasized

-Things repeated

-Things related

-Things alike-Comparison (word pictures, metaphors and similes-like, as etc.)

-Things unalike-Contrast (certain metaphors, but, irony etc.

-Things that are true to life

-Cause and effect

Draw out the following factual considerations:

-Author and intended audience

-Important People

-Important places

-Historical context

-Textual context

-Any other grammatical considerations(verb tense etc.)

-Important terms

PART III-GATHERING:

Gather any and all relevant Scriptural cross references using E Sword software word and phrase search.  (important terms in the verse(s), people, places etc. etc.)

Find, gather and write down definitions (literal and expository) on the above mentioned important terms using:

 

-The Complete Word Study Dictionary

-Vine’s Expository Dictionary

-Mounce’s Expository Dictionary

Find, gather and write down any information on the above mentioned factual considerations using:

-Holman Atlas

-Holman Bible Dictionary

-Chapter Introductions from the ESV Study Bible and the Life Application Study Bible

-Any literary thoughts from the ESV Literary Study Bible

-NET Study Notes

Gather any further relevant Scriptural Cross-References using the following:

-Nelson Cross Reference to the Bible

-Any further concordance (e sword software) searches that have come up during the process.

Using Esword, compare the section of Scripture in all other translations you have and record any thoughts or questions that may arise.

PART IV-ANSWERING AND SUMMARIZING:

-Using all the above data and good old fashioned prayer, answer my original questions the best that I am able!

PART V-BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES:

Answer the following questions to discern the main Biblical Principles stated in this paragraph.

-Given the original context, what does the text mean?

-What fundamental Universal truths are presented in this passage.

-State that truth in a simple sentence or two.

-What issues in our own culture and my own situation does this truth address?

-What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me?  What changes does it require?  What values does it reinforce?  What difference does it make?

PART VI-APPLICATION:

Answer the following questions regarding the paragraph:

-Is there and example to follow?

-Is there a sin to avoid?

-Is there a promise to Claim?

-Is there a prayer to repeat?

-Is there a command to obey?

-Is there a condition to meet?

-Is there a verse to memorize?

-Is there an error to mark?

-Is there a challenge to face?

Summarize the answers and form into how YOU are being directed to apply this Scripture to your life!

PARTVII-COMPLETION:

-Reread the entire segment again in a few translations.  Are there any new questions??  Any new revelations or insights?  Record them and meditate on them.

-Consult the ESV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible and Matthew Henry Commentary to compare what I have found.  Make notes!

-Write a BRIEF summary on the entire section in a form that could be considered a lesson.

In my next post I will discuss in some detail the resources I use for this method.  And after that I will begin posting my studies!

My first post, an introduction.

In a nutshell:

I was raised Catholic, and sort of knew Christ.  As a young adult I walked the other way.  I still prayed but I did not truly understand.  I did not really know what Jesus was about.  And my life choices and my shrunken and unhappy spirit were a testament to just how incorrect my thoughts and actions were at this time.

At the age of 28? God brought me to my knees.  And I fully accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.  14 years later I am still learning what that means and how to walk better in that walk!  Thankfully God in His infinite kindness and mercy continues to correct me, teach me and hold me close.

I read the Bible (off and on) from the ages of 28 to 40.  Then God corrected me again and let me know there was more to His Word then just reading it. (in a Denver airport of all places..go figure?!?)

God made it clear to me that I (we), need to study God's Word and that we (I), need to immerse ourselves in His Word.  That was over two years ago.   And it has been an exciting two years.  I feel closer to Jesus and consequently the Father more than I ever before.  (all the while knowing there is so MUCH more to know and learn).  To put it bluntly, I feel blessed. (Matthew 5:2-5:12)


I pray differently, I live differently, I act differently.  I thank God for inviting me to study

After much thought, I have decided to post my own Bible Studies on the World Wide Web.

For some reason this was not an easy decision.  Who am I to post my Bible Studies?  I am not a theologian!  I am not a pastor.  I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing this out of any misguided conceit on my part.

But I do feel like God wants me to do this, and that is all I need to know.

The first few posts after this will be detailing my study methods, blog posting methods and some of the resources I am using.  And hopefully within the week I will begin posting the actual studies.  This blog will NOT entertain any sort of controversy over which is the best Bible translation.  

My first study will cover John 16:22-28.  I will probably jump around A LOT.

I admit to a bit of nervousness, but that is probably a good sign.

I look forward to conversing with all of you about God's Word and His never ending grace, mercy and love.