John 16:15 — Community Reflections

JOHN 16:15 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you — the Son's identification with the Father's possessions shows the intimacy of the Trinity; all that the Father has, the Son possesses. The Spirit's work of taking from Jesus and declaring to the disciples is the means by which divine fullness becomes accessible to human hearts. The economy of salvation moves from Father to Son to Spirit to disciples: an infinite circulation of God's self-gift.

Church Fathers on John 16:15

Our Lord having said above, It is expedient for you that I go away, He enlarges now upon it: I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
Theophylact · 11th century

All heretics, when their fables are rejected for their extravagance by the common sense of mankind, try to defend themselves by this text; as if these were the things which the disciples could not at this time bear, or as if the Holy Spirit could teach things, which even the unclean spirit is ashamed openly to teach and preach. But bad doctrines such as even natural shame cannot bear are one thing, good doctrines such as our poor natural understanding cannot bear are another.…
Augustine · 4th century

Having said then, you cannot bear them now, but then you shall be able, and, The Holy Spirit shall lead you into all truth; lest this should make them suppose that the Holy Spirit was the superior, He adds, For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 12 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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