John 18:37 Pilate therefore said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born… I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TRUTH HERE? AND FOR WHAT SPECIAL REASONS IT WAS THE END OF CHRIST'S BEING BORN, AND COMING INTO THE WORLD TO BEAR WITNESS TO IT? 1. By the truth we are to understand — that of which Jesus Christ is said to have been "full" (John 1:14); and which, a will as grace, "came by Him" (John 1:17). That into which the "Spirit of truth" was promised to guide His disciples; which, "if they continued in His Word" (John 8:31, 32), they were to "know," and which was to "make them free." The "truth as in-Jesus" (Ephesians 4:21). It includes — (1) All the doctrines of the gospel, especially those that are of a primary importance, as those concerning the fall and recovery of man; the Divinity and atonement of Christ; the agency of the Holy Spirit. (2) The precepts, promises, and threatenings. It is that system of truth, the articles of which are linked together in a kind of chain; that analogy or "proportion of faith," according to which every one that prophesies or preaches is to conform his doctrine (Romans 12:6), that he may "speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). 2. Now the end for which Christ was born, was that He "might bear witness unto the truth." It is certain He came also for other important ends, but one principal end, without which the others would have been unavailing, was that here spoken of. The reasons of this are — (1) Because the truth is the only means of our illumination (Psalm 19:7, 8). If we are translated "out of darkness into marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9); if we, who "were sometime darkness, are now light in the Lord;" if we are "not of the night nor of darkness," but "children of the light, and children of the day" (1 Thessalonians 5:5); it is surely not by error and false doctrine, but by the truth. Hence the Holy Scriptures, which are "a light shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19), are said to be able to make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15, 16); and we read of the "light of the glorious gospel" (2 Corinthians 4:4). (2) Because it is the chief means of quickening us, who are naturally "dead in sin," and begetting in us "repentance unto life" and living faith, which "comes by hearing" it (Romans 10:17); hence it is termed the "Word of Life" (Philippians 2:16), and said to be "quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12); and Christ's words are said to be "spirit and life" (John 6:63). (3) Because it is the grand object, as well as means, of that faith whereby we are saved (Ephesians 1:17, 18); we are described as being "chosen to salvation through belief of the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Mark 16:16). (4) Because it is a principal means of our salvation. The original cause is the grace of God; the meritorious cause is Christ's atonement; the efficient cause is the Holy Ghost; but the instrumental cause is the "Word of truth" (John 15:8), and faith therein. Hence — (a) The truth is the chief instrument of our regeneration (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Psalm 19:7). (b) By it we are made free (John 8:31-36; Romans 8:2). (c) By it we are safely guided in the way to heaven (Psalm 19:11; 2 Peter 1:19). (d) By it we are strengthened for duty, for suffering, and for all the conflicts of our spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 6:7; Ephesians 6:14-17). (e) By the declarations and promises of it, we are comforted and supported amidst all present trials and troubles (Romans 15:4). (f) By it we are "thoroughly furnished to every good work," and made useful among men, even "burning and shining lights" (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). (g) By it we are at length fully sanctified and perfected in holiness (chap. John 17:17; Ephesians 4:11-16). (h) By it we are finally saved (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2; Romans 1:16). II. IN WHAT WAY, AND FOR WHAT IMMEDIATE PURPOSES HE BORE WITNESS TO IT? 1. He did so by word, or by His doctrine, which revealed and explained the truth. Thus He personally, clearly, and fully bore witness to every part of it — (1) As to the unity and perfections of God (Mark 12:29; Matthew 5:48). (2) His spiritual nature (John 4:23, 24). (3) The nature, dignity, condescension, sufferings, death, and exaltation of the Son (John 13:14; John 8:58; John 17:5; Matthew 20:18, 19). (4) Our depraved state by nature (John 3:5, 6; Matthew 15:19). (5) Our redemption through Him (John 3:16). (a) The nature and necessity of repentance towards God, of faith in himself, of regeneration, of sanctification (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 5:8. 48; 18:3; Luke 18:14; John 14:6). (b) He revealed the immortality of the soul (Matthew 22:32); the resurrection of the body (John 5:25, 28, 29); a future judgment (Matthew 25:31, 32; Matthew 12:36); the joys of heaven (Matthew 25:21); the miseries of hell (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:23). 2. By His astonishing miracles, and by prophecies afterwards fulfilled: e.g., the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24.; Luke 21.). Thus He afforded a rational ground whereon all men might believe, or be left without excuse (John 5:36; John 10:37, 38; John 15:24). 3. By His sufferings, death, and resurrection; for He laid down His life in attestation of the truth of His doctrine, and witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate. Thus He showed that the truth, which He had delivered, was no trivial matter, but of infinite importance, that mankind might lay it to heart, and maturely consider, and "give earnest heed to it (Hebrews 2:1). 4. By His Spirit, by whose enlightening and gracious influences we may understand the truth, experience its efficacy, and find it to be "the power of God unto salvation" (John 15:26; Acts 2:39; 1 Thessalonians 1:5). 5. By His example, directing and inciting to the practice of it; His precepts, commanding and enjoining it; His promises, alluring and inviting to it; His theatenings, deterring us from the neglect of it. 6. By His apostles, who were witnesses both to Him and the truth (Luke 24:48; John 15:27; Acts 1:8, 22; Acts 5:32); and, like their Master, bore testimony to it, by their doctrine, "declaring the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:20, 21, 27; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 11, 12); by their miracles (Romans 15:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 12:12), and prophecies fulfilled; by their example (2 Corinthians 6:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:10); by their sufferings; (1 Corinthians 4:11-13; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 2 Corinthians 11:23-31; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2 Timothy 2:9-13). III. WHO ARE OF THE TRUTH, AND HOW THEY HEAR THE VOICE OF CHRIST? 1. They are "of the truth" — (1) Who are rescued from the influence of "the father of lies," and are no longer blinded and deceived by him, or by the word and the spirit of it (1 Corinthians 2:12), or by the flesh, through Satan's agency. (2) Who are no longer deprived of discernment and judgment, as to their understanding, or of feeling as to their conscience; who are not biassed as to the choice and intention of their will; nor entangled and occupied by the creature in their affections. (3) Who are sincerely desirous to know, receive and submit to the truth, however opposed to their preconceived opinions, and their accustomed and confirmed habits. (4) Who, for this purpose, are truly willing to part with any temporal honour, gratification, or profit, which appears inconsistent with the attainment of this object, and especially, whatever they find in themselves contrary to the Divine will, and are ready to submit to any loss, reproach, difficulty, or suffering, to which they may be exposed in the way of obedience. (5) Who, conscious how liable they are to be mistaken, deceived, and misled, in their inquiries after the truth, and endeavours to obey it, dare not lean to their own understanding, or trust in their own efforts, but apply to God in prayer and faith, to be "guided into all" sacred and Divine "truth."(6) Who "call no man master" on earth, but remember "one is their Master, even Christ" (Matthew 23:8), and therefore, "seek the law at His mouth."(7) Who comply with their duty, as far as they know it already, remembering Christ's words (John 7:17). Such persons will consider every part of Christ's doctrine as infallibly true and infinitely momentous, and will, therefore, desire and delight to hear, read, and meditate upon it, at all opportunities (1 John 4:5, 6). 2. In regard to the manner of "hearing Christ's voice," we should do it — (1) With reverence. (2) With humility. (3) With seriousness. (4) With attention. (5) In a childlike and teachable spirit. (6) With faith. (7) With love. (8) With meekness and patience. (9) In a spirit of prayer. (10) With an obedient mind. (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. |
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