João 8
John Calvin · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 8
Calvin - Here Christ warns them, in the first place, that it is not enough for any one to have begun well, if their progress to the end do not correspond to it; and for this reason he exhorts to perseverance in the faith those who have tasted of his doctrine. When he says that they who are firmly rooted in his word, so as to continue in him, will truly be his disciples, he means that many profess to be disciples who yet are not so in reality, and have no right to be accounted such. He distinguishes his followers from hypocrites by this mark, that they who falsely boasted of faith give way as soon as they have entered into the course, or at least in the middle of it; but believers persevere constantly to the end. If, therefore, we wish that Christ should reckon us to be his disciples, we must endeavor to persevere. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary on Many believed. Yet before long they were picking up stones to cast at him (Jn 8:59). It is the old story of pseudo faith. In this case, they did not abide in his word—which is necessary for true discipleship, and which opens the way to knowing the truth more fully—to the point of being set free through it (Jn 8:32). A T Robertson on truly My disciples - Your future loyalty to My teaching will prove the reality of your present profession. So the conclusion of this future condition is put in the present tense. As then, so now. We accept church members on profession of trust in Christ. Continuance in the word (teaching) proves the sincerity or insincerity of the profession. It is the acid test of life. William Cook - Jesus speaks to those ‘who had believed him’ (Jn 8:31a). The harsh nature of the debate that follows calls into question the reality of their faith. Their actions reveal that they are not true believers (cf.Jn 2:23-25; 6:60-66). (Focus on the Bible Commentary – John: Jesus Christ Is God) John
João 8
Calvin - Here Christ, first of all, warns them that it is not enough for anyone to begin well if he does not continue to progress to the end. This is why he exhorts those who have tasted his teaching to persevere in the faith; he says that those who are so firmly rooted in his Word, if they continue in it, will truly be his disciples. Christ means that many people profess to be disciples who are not really and do not deserve to be thought of as such. He distinguishes his followers from the hypocrites in that those who falsely proclaim they believe fall away from the very start, or at least in the middle of the race, whereas believers persevere to the winning-post. Therefore, if Christ is to view us as his disciples, we must endeavor to persevere.