John 16:9 - Exposition

The three elements of this conviction of the world are separately treated. In respect of sin, because they believe not on me . The ὅτι , has been restricted by Meyer to "so far as ," as though the conviction with respect to sin was limited to a charge of specific unbelief; and Hengstenberg would render it " consisting in this, that," etc. But surely the full causal force of the particle is to be pressed, " because they believe not on me ." The essence of all sin is unbelief, a refusal to surrender heart and will to the Divine will and authority, though the world generally had taken different views of it: supposing " sin " to be disobedience to some particular class of duties, or the neglect of certain specific ceremonial. Christ declares that the Spirit which has always been striving with men to bring them into reconciliation with God, will now convict the world that its sinful tendencies and principles have reached their highest and most willful expression in unbelief εἰς ἐμέ , towards me. The most complete manifestation of God has received from the world the most utter and insensate repudiation. The very nature of sin thus stands revealed, the leprosy of sin will come out on the smiling self-complacency of the world. It will no longer be able to charge upon Adam, nor the devil, nor upon natures nor upon temptations of the flesh, the blame of sin; but will take the guilt home, and see that, in this crowning act of human folly, unbelievers have rendered themselves personally liable to condemnation, and, by rejecting infinite love as well as eternal law, have left themselves without excuse.