in regard to sin
This phrase highlights the central issue of sin in the human condition. Sin, in biblical terms, is any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's holiness and commands. The concept of sin is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, beginning with the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. The Law given to Moses further defined sin and its consequences, emphasizing humanity's need for redemption. The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus' ministry focusing on the forgiveness of sins and the call to repentance. Sin separates humanity from God, and the Holy Spirit's role is to convict the world of this reality, pointing to the need for a Savior.

because they do not believe in Me
Unbelief is identified as the root cause of sin in this context. Jesus emphasizes that the ultimate sin is the rejection of Him as the Messiah and Son of God. Throughout the Gospels, belief in Jesus is presented as the pathway to eternal life (John 3:16). The Jewish leaders and many of the people of Jesus' time struggled with accepting Him as the promised Messiah, despite the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and His miraculous works. This unbelief is not just a lack of intellectual assent but a refusal to trust and follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit's work is to reveal the truth of Jesus' identity and mission, urging individuals to move from unbelief to faith. This theme is echoed in other parts of the New Testament, such as Hebrews 3:12, which warns against an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples during the Last Supper, preparing them for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, they are being prepared for the challenges they will face after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

3. The Holy Spirit
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of John 16 involves Jesus explaining the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

4. The World
Refers to those who do not believe in Jesus, highlighting the broader audience that the Holy Spirit will convict.

5. The Last Supper
The setting of this discourse, where Jesus shares His final teachings with His disciples before His crucifixion.The Root of Sin
Unbelief in Jesus is the fundamental sin that separates humanity from God. Recognizing this helps us understand the importance of faith in the Christian life.

Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, specifically the sin of unbelief. This conviction is a call to faith and repentance.

Faith as a Response
Belief in Jesus is the antidote to sin. Our response to the Holy Spirit's conviction should be to place our trust in Christ.

Evangelism and Witnessing
Understanding that unbelief is the core issue can guide our evangelistic efforts, focusing on presenting the truth of Jesus to those who do not believe.

Personal Reflection
Examine areas of personal unbelief or doubt and seek to strengthen faith through prayer, study, and fellowship.(9) Of sin, because they believe not on me.--This should not be interpreted, as it very frequently is, of the sin of unbelief, but of sin generally; unbelief in Christ is stated as the cause of sin. Sin is missing the aim of life, the disordered action of powers that have lost their controlling principle. Christ is the revelation to the world of the Father's love. In union with God through Him the soul finds the centre of its being, and the true purpose of its life. By the witness of Christ the Holy Spirit convinces men that He is the centre of the moral harmony of the Universe, and that through Him their spirits have access to God. This conviction reveals to them their sin, because they believe not on Him. Its effect is salutary or condemnatory, according as we are convinced and converted by it, or refuse its influence and remain convicted.

Verse 9. - 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


in regard to
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

sin,
ἁμαρτίας (hamartias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

they do not believe
πιστεύουσιν (pisteuousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Me;
ἐμέ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Gospels: John 16:9 About sin because they don't believe (Jhn Jo Jn)