Explaining the Inner Meaning of John 7

Verse 7:1. That the Lord has more delight in instructing the Gentiles, who are in the good of ignorance, than in instructing those of the perverted church, who are principled in self-love, because the love of the latter is opposed to his love.

Verse 7:2. For the Lord is always seeking the implantation of good in truth, and thus liberation of the church from evil.

Verses 7:3, 4. Nevertheless he is tempted by the affections of the natural man to make an external display of his omnipotence, by which both they who are of the church, and they who are not of the church, might be led to acknowledge him.

Verses 7:5, 6. But this suggestion is not influenced by divine truth, which teaches, that the state of the Lord, when he was in the world, differed from that of natural men, because he was always advancing, as to his humanity, towards union with the divine good in himself, whereas natural men are in the present possession of their good.

Verse 7:7. And therefore natural men are not sensible of opposition from the powers of evil, whereas the Lord, as to his humanity, felt the whole weight of that opposition, in consequence of making those powers manifest.

Verses 7:8, 9. On which account natural men are enjoined the use of representative worship, but not so the Lord, since the glorification of his humanity is the end of all representations, and therefore he remains with those who receive him according to that end.

Verse 7:10. At the same time he interiorly is in the good of that representative worship, which relates to the implantation of good in truth, and thus to the glorification of his humanity, but not exteriorly.

Verses 7:11, 12, 13. By which means he excites enquiry in the church concerning himself, which enquiry leads some to justify him, and some to condemn him, yet all are afraid to speak their sentiments, being over-awed by public opinion.

Verse 7:14. That from divine good, and consequent elevation into the light of divine truth, the Lord gives instruction.

Verse 7:15. The interior source of which instruction cannot be apprehended by the natural man.

Verse 7:16. Until he is taught, that the truth proceeding from the Lord's humanity is not of the humanity only, but of the divine good dwelling in it, and one with it.

Verse 7:17. And that therefore all, who live in conformity with that good, will be instructed as to the origin of truth.

Verse 7:18. Since self-love always gives birth to false principles, whilst divine and heavenly love gives birth to principles of truth and justice.

Verses 7:19, 20. Hence comes the Divine Word, which still is not obeyed, and therefore the Lord in his Divine Humanity is rejected, and his operation imputed to infernal agency, whilst they who reject him are not aware of the crime which they are committing.

Verses 7:21, 22, 23. Therefore they are taught, that since the Lord in his Divine Humanity had manifested, by their own confession, an operation more than human; and since on this account the Word, both in the Israelitish church, and in the ancient church, required purification from unclean loves, which requirement they fulfilled, as to its external representation, therefore out of regard to the Word, they ought not to oppose that humanity in its purpose of communicating spiritual life, which was represented by the Sabbath.

Verse 7:24. Neither ought they to form their judgement from truth alone, but from truth in conjunction with its good.

Verses 7:25, 26. That the opposition of the perverted church to the Lord in his Divine Humanity, was known to those who were principled in the doctrine of truth, and who thus, seeing the power of the divine truth over its adversaries, are led to enquire how far they, who are principled in knowledges, believe in that humanity.

Verse 7:27. Yet they are perplexed about the origin of that humanity, because they could not discern his divinity.

Verse 7:28. Therefore they are taught that the humanity was known, and also its origin, since it is not self-derived, but from the invisible and unknown divinity.

Verse 7:29. Yet the humanity knows the divinity, because it proceeds from the divinity.

Verse 7:30. That this doctrine excites violent opposition in will, but not in act, being restrained for the present by the Lord's divine providence.

Verse 7:31. Nevertheless, with those who are principled in truth, it excites faith in the Lord's humanity, the operation of which humanity is exalted by them above every other operation.

Verses 7:32, 33, 34. But this faith so excited tends only to increase the spirit of opposition amongst those of the perverted church, who are principled in self-love, and therefore they are taught, that the Lord's humanity will certainly be united with his divinity, on which occasion he cannot be approached by those who merely speculate about him, because they are destitute of the love and life in which he dwells.

Verses 7:35, 36. Still they who are principled in self-love are not able to comprehend what is meant by the union of the Lord's humanity with his divinity.

Verses 7:37, 38, 39. Therefore they are further instructed, that if they are desirous of attaining the knowledge of truth, they must receive from the Lord in his Divine Humanity the truths of doctrine and their faith, since hence comes spiritual intelligence of divine truth from the Lord, inasmuch as to impart such intelligence is the great purpose of the glorification of the Lord's humanity.

Verse 39, latter part. For spiritual intelligence of divine truth cannot be given but from divinity and humanity united in the one divine person of the Lord.

Verses 7:40, 41, 42, 43. That in consequence of this instruction, they, who are principled in truth, are led to acknowledge the Lord's humanity as the all of doctrine, and the all of truth, whilst others are perplexed about the divine origin of that humanity as taught in the Word.

Verse 7:44. Hence inclination is inwardly cherished to do violence to that humanity, but the power to do it is checked.

Verses 7:45, 46. And on enquiry how, it was checked, it is discovered, that the truth proceeding from that humanity was more than human, so that the simple could not resist it.

Verses 7:47, 48, 49. Therefore they, who are blinded by self-love, and who fancy themselves qualified by their superior learning to decide on what is true, or otherwise, condemn the simple as ignorant of the truth.

Verse 50, 51. Yet their own learning suggests the consideration that no one ought to be condemned, until it be first known whether he be guilty, and what his guilt is.

Verses 7:52, 53. But this consideration is over-ruled, as not applicable to the Lord's humanity and the doctrine which he taught, since no teacher of truth can be born out of the church, therefore all abide in their own ruling love and persuasions.

27. 2. The Spirit of the Lord (Acts of the Apostles 5:9) is called the Holy Spirit (verse 3).

They received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands by the apostles (Acts of the Apostles 8:17, 18; 9:17).

The Holy Spirit spoke. And they were sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts of the Apostles 13:2-4).

Paul said to the Athenians, God giveth to everyone life, the spirit and all things. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts of the Apostles 17:25, 28).

The invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, understood by works, and His eternal power; so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

If any one hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His. He quickens your mortal bodies through the Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the sons of God (Romans 8:9-11, 14, 16).

What man hath known the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no one, but the Spirit of God. The animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, and he cannot know them (1 Corinthians 2:11, 14).

There are various gifts of the Spirit which are enumerated (1 Corinthians 12:7-21).

The Lord is the Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father (Galatians 4:6).

The ministration of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19; Colossians 1:2; Galatians 1:3).

The Lord be with his spirit (2 Timothy 4:22).

The Spirit of Christ, which testified (1 Peter 1:11).

There are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one (1 John 5:7).

The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6).

The Spirit of My Father speaketh in you (Matthew 10:20).

Jesus baptizeth you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).

It is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11).

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb of his mother (Luke 1:15, 41).

Jesus said, he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me (Luke 9:48).

He spoke this of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive; the Holy Spirit was not yet; because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:39).

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth (John 14:17). He is also called the Comforter, and Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name (John 14:26).

If I went not away, the Comforter would not come unto you; if I go away I will send him unto you (John 16:7). By going away to the Father is meant to be united to the Father, as before, the Divine truth to the Divine. That the Spirit of truth from the Lord is about to receive, etc. (John 16:13-15).