The phrase "Words of Jesus are Spirit and Life" finds its origin in the Gospel of John, specifically in John 6:63. In the Berean Standard Bible , this verse reads: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." This statement by Jesus encapsulates a profound theological truth about the nature and power of His teachings.

Context and Meaning

In John 6, Jesus delivers a discourse following the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. He presents Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35), emphasizing that belief in Him is essential for eternal life. The discourse challenges His listeners to move beyond physical sustenance and understand the spiritual nourishment He offers. When Jesus declares that His words are "spirit and life," He underscores the transformative power of His teachings, which transcend mere physical existence and impart eternal truths.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The reference to "spirit" in this context highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating and applying the words of Jesus to the believer's heart. The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration and sanctification, making the teachings of Christ effective in the life of the believer. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:6 , "He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." This aligns with Jesus' assertion that His words are not merely informational but are imbued with the life-giving power of the Spirit.

Life-Giving Power

The term "life" in Jesus' statement refers to the abundant and eternal life that He offers to those who believe in Him. This life is not limited to physical existence but encompasses a restored relationship with God, characterized by spiritual vitality and eternal communion with the Creator. In John 10:10 , Jesus declares, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." His words, therefore, are the means by which believers access this fullness of life.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the understanding that Jesus' words are spirit and life carries significant implications for faith and practice. It calls for a deep engagement with Scripture, recognizing that the teachings of Christ are not merely historical records but living words that continue to speak into the lives of His followers. The transformative power of Jesus' words invites believers to a life of obedience, faith, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for understanding and application.

Conclusion

The declaration that the words of Jesus are spirit and life serves as a reminder of the profound spiritual reality embedded in His teachings. It challenges believers to seek the life-giving power of His words through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, leading to a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God.John 6:63
It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Nave's Topical Index

In Spirit and Truth;' or the True Worshippers.
... But Jesus came to give the Spirit: He has given Him to us. Let the disposition in
which we set ourselves to pray be what Christ's words have taught us. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/lord teach us to pray/in spirit and truth or.htm

The Bible in the Days of Jesus Christ
... with the Scriptures in the days when the Lord Jesus learnt to ... him to act out in his
life the words he repeats ... 'The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter viii the bible in.htm

The Self Life.
... let us do so here; let us consider from these words of the text the one word, "self."
Jesus said to ... and a believer who had been taught by the Holy Spirit. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/ii the self life.htm

Gladden -- the Prince of Life
... He expects us to make the proper application of His words. ... When Jesus contrasts His
own conduct, as one who gives ... of the body; the life of the spirit is the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/gladden the prince of.htm

Jesus Christ an Example of Prayer
... His busy doing, a small selection of His many words, and only ... The spirit of a child
was found in Him. At the grave of Lazarus "Jesus lifted up His eyes and said ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/vii jesus christ an example.htm

The Subtraction Process
... we see that our whole being, spirit, soul, and ... assuredly experience the meaning of
the words: "Knowing this ... In this condition, Jesus can have the perfect right ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter vii the subtraction process.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... He promises the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter; and His own Return. ... Jesus led to
Calvary.--Simon of Cyrene.--The Words of Christ to the Weeping Women. ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

Jesus in the World.
... the heart of the contrite ones.' Jesus himself, with ... into the world to teach men,
those words were meant ... They are spirit and life, involving the one principle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/jesus in the world.htm

The Book of Life
... they repeated often the words of the Lord Jesus. ... it was absolutely necessary to preserve
the words. ... an instrument for practicing the Christian spirit into all ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter ii the book of.htm

The Casting Out of Devils.
... To their disappointment, and probably to their chagrin, they found themselves powerless
over the evil spirit. ... Whether the words of Jesus, "him that believeth ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vii the casting out of.htm

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