Matthew Henry Commentary John 16:7-15

"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 go, I will send him unto you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, [these] shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you." — John 16:7-15 (ASV)

Christ's departure was necessary for the Comforter's coming. Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ's death, which was His going away. His bodily presence could be in only one place at one time, but His Spirit is everywhere, in all places, at all times, wherever two or three are gathered together in His name. See here the office of the Spirit: first, to reprove, or to convince. Convincing work is the Spirit's work; He can do it effectively, and He alone.

It is the method the Holy Spirit takes: first to convince, and then to comfort. The Spirit will convince the world of sin—not merely tell them of it. The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin; of the fault of sin; of the folly of sin; of the filth of sin, that by it we have become hateful to God; of the fountain of sin, the corrupt nature; and lastly, of the fruit of sin, that its end is death. The Holy Spirit proves that all the world is guilty before God.

He convinces the world of righteousness—that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous. He also convinces of Christ's righteousness, imparted to us for justification and salvation. He will show them where it is to be found and how they may be accepted as righteous in God's sight. Christ's ascension proves that the ransom was accepted and the righteousness finished, through which believers were to be justified. And He convinces the world of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

All will be well when his power—the power of the one who caused all the mischief—is broken. Since Satan is subdued by Christ, this gives us confidence, for no other power can stand before Him. The Spirit also convinces of the day of judgment.

The coming of the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to the disciples. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, not only to show us the way, but to go with us by continued help and influences.

To be led into a truth is more than merely to know it; it is not only to have the notion of it in our heads, but the relish, savour, and power of it in our hearts. He will teach all truth, and keep back nothing profitable, for He will show things to come. It is fitting for everyone to ask whether the Holy Spirit has begun a good work in one's heart.

Without a clear discovery of our guilt and danger, we will never understand the value of Christ's salvation; but when brought to know ourselves rightly, we begin to see the value of the Redeemer. We would have fuller views of the Redeemer, and more lively affections for Him, if we prayed more for, and depended more on, the Holy Spirit.