John 16:8
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλθὼν
when he is come
G2064
ἐλθὼν
when he is come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 14
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐκεῖνος
he
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
he
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
3 of 14
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμον
the world
G2889
κόσμον
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
6 of 14
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
δικαιοσύνης
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνης
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
11 of 14
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Jude 1:15To 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.Acts 2:37Now 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?Zechariah 12:10And 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.1 Corinthians 14:24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:John 8:9And 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.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke this promise hours before His arrest. Within 50 days, at Pentecost, the Spirit would descend and immediately convict 3,000 Jews of their guilt in crucifying Messiah (Acts 2:37: 'they were pricked in their heart'). The Spirit's convicting work began in Jerusalem and continues globally until Christ's return, operating through the preached Word to expose sin and point to Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- When did you first experience the Holy Spirit's conviction of your sin, and how did it lead you to Christ?
- How does the Spirit's convicting work differ from human guilt-manipulation or condemnation?
- In what ways should the church cooperate with the Spirit's convicting ministry in evangelism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He will reprove the world (ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον, elenxei ton kosmon)—the verb elenchō means to convict, expose, or prove guilty, as in a legal proceeding. The Spirit acts as divine prosecutor, bringing irrefutable evidence of the world's guilt. The threefold conviction concerns sin, righteousness, and judgment (περὶ ἁμαρτίας καὶ περὶ δικαιοσύνης καὶ περὶ κρίσεως, peri hamartias kai peri dikaiosynēs kai peri kriseōs).
This judicial language presents the Spirit's ministry as courtroom conviction. The kosmos (world-system in rebellion against God) stands accused, and the Paraclete presents evidence that exposes humanity's fundamental guilt. This conviction precedes conversion—the Spirit must first convict of sin before sinners will seek salvation. Without the Spirit's work, no evangelistic preaching, however eloquent, can produce genuine repentance.