The Bible

 

John 4:25

Study

       

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Commentary

 

Explanation of John 4

By Rev. John Clowes M.A.

Explaining the Inner Meaning of John 4

Verses 4:1, 2, 3, 4. That the Lord perceived from his Divine principle in what manner the perverted church was offended at his teaching internal truths, and their prevalence over external, and that thus purification was effected by the truths derived from good, therefore he again applies himself to plant the church amongst the Gentiles.

Verses 4:5, 6. And first amongst those who are principled in interior truths, in connection with interior spiritual good, thus with the Word, from which instruction is given in the things of love and charity, after a state of spiritual labour.

Verses 4:7, 8. That on this occasion, they who are principled in the affection of good in that church seek instruction in truth, and this from divine dictate, to the intent that from the doctrine of truth they might appropriate good.

Verses 4:9, 10. They are therefore inquisitive concerning the divine dictate and its requirements, not being aware of the operation of such a dictate, and are accordingly instructed that it is from the Divine Humanity of the Lord, who is the source of every truth of good, and who imparts such truth to those who apply to him for it.

Verses 4:11, 12. This however appears incredible to those, who believe only in the letter of the Word, and who therefore do not see that all the Jewish patriarchs were representative of the Lord, and that all the instruction they received from the Word was in consequence of its connection with his Divine Humanity.

Verse 4:14. Therefore they are further instructed, that the truths of the Word can never become full and living and eternal truths in man, until they are seen and received as one with the divine truth, which is the same thing as the Lord's Divine Humanity.

Verse 4:15. And in consequence of this instruction, they are led earnestly to desire the knowledge of the interior truths of the Word.

Verses 4:16, 17, 18. But are further taught that such interior truths cannot be apprehended, until conjunction of good and truth be formed in the intellectual principle, which conjunction was at present not genuine or legitimate.

Verses 4:19, 20, 21, 22. 23. Hence they perceive that the Lord in his Divine Humanity is the source of all truth, and hence they are further instructed that representative worship is to cease, because it is a worship unattended with intellectual light, and that it is to be supplanted by a worship grounded in love, and enlightened by wisdom, which worship leads to conjunction with the Supreme Good.

Verse 4:24. Because God is divine love and wisdom in a human form, or in a Divine Humanity, and therefore none can worship him acceptably but from that love and according to that wisdom.

Verses 4:25, 26. That it is revealed to those of the church who are in the affection of good, that divine truth will be manifested on earth in a bodily form, to impart instruction, and they are further taught from the Word, that the Lord in his Divine Humanity is that truth, in union with the Divine Good.

Verse 4:27. That with those who are principled in truth, the establishment of the church amongst the Gentiles appears strange, and they are afraid to inquire into the purpose intended by it, or the manner of its accomplishment.

Verses 4:28, 29. But they who are in the affection of good, when they have received instruction in truth, form their lives accordingly, and testify by doctrine that the divine truth is manifested as a man, who is thus omniscient, and acquainted with all the purposes and thoughts of man.

Verse 4:30. Which testimony is received in the church, and thus the Lord is approached in his Divine Humanity.

Verses 4:31, 32, 33, 34. For to the end that he might be so approached, he from divine love glorified his Humanity, or made it divine, by submitting it to the government of the divine good in himself, until divine truth in himself became divine good.

Verses 4:35, 36. And thus a spiritual church was established which was in the affection of truth, and by virtue of that affection, in heaven, and thus conjoined with the Lord in his joy.

Verse 4:37. For the Lord dispenses truth and its affection, to the intent that the church may thereby attain to the heavenly good of love and charity.

Verse 4:38. And may thus appropriate to itself all the good things of heaven and of the Lord, himself.

Verses 4:39, 40. They therefore, who are principled in spiritual good, acknowledge the Lord in his Divine Humanity, from a belief in his omniscience, and Seek and attain conjunction of life with him.

Verses 4:41, 42. And are thus taught, not by external teaching only, but by the testimony of the divine good and truth in their own minds, that the Lord in his Divine Humanity was the predicted Redeemer and Saviour of mankind.

Verses 4:43, 44, 45. That the Gentiles are again instructed in the truth, which is rejected by those of the perverted church; and that they receive instruction, and become a church, being convinced of the omnipotence of truth.

Verse 4:46. And that thus their natural ideas of truth become spiritual, but as yet not fully conjoined with good.

Verse 4:47. Therefore supplication is made to the Lord in his Divine Humanity for assistance, and that they may be preserved from the influence of evil love.

Verses 4:48, 49, 50. This supplication, however, does not proceed from a genuine but from a miraculous faith, nevertheless it is granted, and thus a genuine faith is implanted.

Verses 4:51, 52, 53. And its conjunction with charity is acknowledged in all the lower principles of life, and seen to be the effect of the reception of the divine truth proceeding from the Lord's Divine Humanity, which is the source of genuine faith.

Verse 4:54. Thus the church amongst the Gentiles was confirmed in the faith, not only by observing that their natural ideas of truth were become spiritual, but by experiencing also the conjunction of truth with good, or of faith with charity, resulting from their belief in the Lord's Divine Humanity.

The Bible

 

John 4:51

Study

       

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.