Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 16:10

δικαιοσύνης. The word occurs here only in this Gospel; but comp. 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:10; Revelation 19:11. Righteousness is the keeping of the law, and is the natural result of faith; so much so that faith is reckoned as if it were righteousness (Romans 4:3-9) so certain is this result regarded. Here δικαιοσύνη is used not in the lower sense of keeping prescribed ordinances (Matthew 3:15), but in the highest and widest sense of keeping the law of God; internal as well as external obedience. The lower sense was almost the only sense both to Jew and Gentile (Matthew 5:20). The Spirit, having convinced man that sin is much more than a breaking of certain ordinances, viz. a rejection of God and His Christ, goes on to convince him that righteousness is much more than a keeping of certain ordinances. As before, ὅτι explains ἐλέγξει, not δικαιοσύνης. The pattern life of Christ being completed, the Spirit makes known to man the nature of that life, and thus shews what the nature of righteousness is. Sin being resistance to God’s will, righteousness is perfect harmony with it. For θεωρεῖτε, behold, comp. John 16:16; John 6:40; John 6:62; John 7:3; John 14:19, &c. Jesus here shews His sympathy with His disciples: in speaking of His return to glory, He does not forget the sorrow which they feel and expect always to feel. Contrast Acts 2:46.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 16:10

Old Testament

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