The Gospel of John (Randall House Bible Commentary)
Overview
In this volume on John, Jack Stallings reveals both his expertise in handling the Scripture and his pastor's heart. He has given us a commentary on John that makes the teaching and events in Christ's ministry come alive. We always feel that we are right there, aware of the intentions and attitudes of our Lord, His disciples, and His antagonists. Stallings lays open the method of the Fourth Evangelist, including his "open secrets" and his overriding purpose. The Gospel becomes a work with an obvious unity, moving purposefully through the material, providing us with a thrust very different from that of the Synoptics, and yet without contradiction.
There are a few places in the Gospel where the texts have theological implications that speak specifically to issues involved in the "Arminian" theology. At certain locations, extended comments have been inserted on these theological issues.
Top Highlights
“He will cause the world to understand that Jesus was the personification of, and man’s only hope of attaining, righteousness. This interpretation requires that ‘convict’ (carrying over from v. 8) be understood in the sense of ‘convince’ rather than ‘convict’ or ‘reprove.’” (Page 227)
“The second pruning (cleansing) apparently refers to a chastening process by which Christians are stimulated and equipped to produce the fruits of righteousness in their lives.” (Page 213)
“The new worship Jesus speaks about is to be ‘in spirit and in truth.’ ‘Spirit’ does not refer here to the Holy Spirit but to the highest aspect of man’s being, that essence of the image of God in man which distinguishes him from the rest of the physical creation, that capacity which enables him to commune with God.” (Page 68)
“Since the time of the Maccabees the palm seems to have become the national symbol of Israel, a symbol of Jewish nationalism. This being the case, these Jews were expressing their belief and hope that Jesus was the Messiah who would free Israel from the yoke of Roman rule.” (Page 178)
“It should be noted that Jesus identifies Himself as the vine, i.e. the whole plant, including the branches, not just as the trunk to which the branches are attached. The branches are actually part of the vine, i.e. Christians are actually a part of Christ.” (Pages 212–213)
- Title: The Gospel of John
- Author: Jack W. Stallings
- Editor: Robert E. Picirilli
- Series: Randall House Bible Commentary
- Publisher: Randall House
- Publication Date: 1989
- Pages: 295