John 16:7

Context

The verse belongs to the so-called Farewell Discourse of the Gospel of John (chapters 13–17). Jesus spoke these words to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. When Jesus said that he was going to the one who had sent him, sorrow filled the disciples' hearts (16:5-6), and this verse is his answer to that sorrow: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." Jesus says that his departure is in fact "expedient," that is, to their advantage. In the verses that follow (16:8-15), he explains what the Comforter will do when he comes.

"Comforter" translates the Greek paraklētos ("one called alongside"), a word that combines the senses of helper, comforter, and advocate. Among Korean Bible translations, the Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version render it bohyesa, while the Korean Common Translation renders it "helper." In 1 John 2:1 the same word refers to Jesus and is translated "advocate."

Interpretation

• Jesus' glorification and the coming of the Spirit: Many interpreters read this verse together with John 7:39 ("because that Jesus was not yet glorified"). On this reading, Jesus' "departure" through the cross, the resurrection, and the Ascension is the condition for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Many Protestant denominations regard the events of Pentecost in Acts 2 as the fulfillment of this promise.
• A change in the mode of presence: Jesus in the flesh was present in one place, but the Spirit is present with all believers. This reading, which explains why the departure is "expedient," is common in preaching.
• Reformed emphasis: The Reformed tradition emphasizes that the Spirit applies Christ's salvation to believers and enables them to understand the Word (16:13-14).
• Pentecostal emphasis: Pentecostal traditions often read this promise as a basis for the filling of the Spirit and for spiritual gifts as realities that continue today.

Controversies and Issues

• Trinitarian debate: The phrase "I will send him," together with 15:26, has been cited in the debate between the Eastern and Western churches over from whom the Spirit proceeds. The Western church (the Catholic Church and most Protestants) confesses that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, and this verse, in which the Son "sends" the Spirit, is cited as one of the grounds for that confession. The Orthodox Church has historically distinguished between the "sending" of the Spirit and the Spirit's eternal "procession," and therefore holds that the Spirit proceeds from the Father.
• Claims identifying the "Comforter" with a particular person: In the second century, Montanus is reported to have claimed that the Paraclete spoke through him. In South Korea, the teaching of Shincheonji linking its leader with the "Comforter" has been criticized in the heresy investigations of major Korean denominations. Shincheonji claims that this is the fulfillment of a biblical promise. Critics respond by pointing out that John 14:26 identifies the Comforter as "the Holy Ghost."

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean churches the verse is frequently used as a text for sermons on Pentecost and the Ascension. The phrase "It is expedient for you that I go away" is also quoted to comfort church members experiencing separation or loss.

Related Passages

• John 14:16-17
• John 14:26
• John 15:26
• John 7:39
• Acts 2:33