John 15:26 - Meaning and Application

After speaking of the strong opposition his gospel would face in the world, and the hardship that would come on those who preached it, Christ gives this promise to keep his friends from fear. He shows that there is firm support for his cause, through the main witness of the Spirit (John 15:26) and the added witness of the apostles (John 15:27), and witness is the right support for truth.

First, Christ promises that the Holy Spirit will defend his cause in the world, no matter how much resistance it meets. When Christ himself was insulted, he placed his wounded cause in the hands of his Father. He did not lose anything by keeping silent, because the Comforter came, spoke powerfully for him, and won the case. “When the Comforter, or Advocate, comes, who comes from the Father and whom I will send to take the place of my bodily presence, he will testify about me against those who hate me without cause.”

This verse tells us more about the Holy Spirit than almost any other verse in the Bible. Since we are baptized into his name, we should try to know him as far as Scripture reveals him. He is called the Spirit of truth, and he comes from the Father. This means, first, that he is a real divine person, not just a power or a quality. Second, he is eternal, coming from the Father in a way that belongs to God from everlasting. As a person breathes out his breath, and through it gives his thoughts and strength, so the blessed Spirit is the flowing out of God’s light and power.

Christ also speaks of the Spirit’s mission. The Spirit will come with a fuller outpouring of gifts, grace, and power than had been seen before. Christ had long been the one who was coming, and now the blessed Spirit is spoken of in the same way. Christ says, “I will send him to you from the Father.” In John 14:16, he said, “I will ask the Father, and he will send you the Comforter,” showing the Spirit as the fruit of Christ’s intercession. Here he says, “I will send him,” showing the Spirit as the fruit of Christ’s royal authority and rule after his ascension.

The Spirit is sent by Christ as Mediator, meaning the one who acts between God and people, now risen and exalted to give gifts to men. He is also sent from the Father, not only from heaven, but according to the Father’s will, with his joined power and authority. He is sent to the apostles to guide their preaching, strengthen them for their work, and carry them through their sufferings. He was given to them, and to those who came after them in the ministry, according to the promise in Isaiah 59:21.

The Spirit’s work is described in two ways. The title Comforter, or Advocate, means he speaks for Christ against the unbelief of the world and comforts believers against the world’s hatred. He is also a witness for Jesus Christ. He is one of the three who bear witness in heaven, and the first of the three who bear witness on earth (1 John 5:7, 8). He taught the apostles, enabled them to work miracles, and inspired the Scriptures, which remain the standing witness to Christ (John 5:39). The power of the ministry comes from the Spirit, because he qualifies ministers. The power of Christianity also comes from the Spirit, because he makes believers holy, and in both ways he testifies of Christ.

Second, the apostles were also to have the honor of being Christ’s witnesses, with the Spirit’s help (John 15:27). “And you also will bear witness of me, because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.” The apostles were chosen as witnesses for Christ in the world. When Christ says the Spirit will testify, he adds that they also will bear witness. The Spirit’s work does not replace our duty, but stirs it up and helps it. Though the Spirit testifies, ministers must still give their testimony, and people must hear it, because the Spirit works through the means of grace.

The apostles were the first witnesses called in the great case between Christ and the prince of this world, Satan, whose rule was overturned. Their job was to tell the truth about Christ, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so that his rightful honor would be restored. Even though the disciples fled when they should have stood as witnesses during Christ’s trial before the high priest and Pilate, they later stood boldly once the Spirit was poured out on them. Then they defended Christ against the charges brought against him. The truth of the Christian faith was to be proven largely by facts, especially Christ’s resurrection, and the apostles were chosen in a special way to witness that (Acts 10:41). They gave that testimony faithfully (Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32). Christ’s ministers are still his witnesses.

This was also a great honor for them, because they were to work together with God. The Spirit would testify of Christ, and they would also testify, under the Spirit’s guidance and in agreement with the Spirit. The Spirit would keep them from error in what they reported from their own experience, and would teach them what they could know only by revelation. This should encourage them against the world’s hatred and contempt, because Christ had honored them and would stand by them.

They were also qualified for this work because they had been with Christ from the beginning. They did not only hear his public teaching, but also spent close time with him. He went about doing good, and while many people saw only the great and merciful works he did in their own towns, those who traveled with him saw them all. They also had the chance to watch the purity of his life, and they could testify that they never saw or heard anything in him that showed even the least sign of human weakness.

We have good reason to accept the apostles’ witness about Christ, because they did not speak from rumor. They spoke from what they knew with the strongest certainty possible (2 Peter 1:16; John 1:1, John 1:3).

Those are best able to testify for Christ who have truly been with him in faith, hope, and love, and who have lived in close fellowship with God through him. Ministers must first learn Christ, and then preach him. People speak best about God’s things when they speak from personal experience.

It is a special advantage to know Christ from the beginning and to understand all things from the first, as Luke says of his careful account (Luke 1:3). It is also a great blessing to have been with him from the beginning of our days. Early and steady fellowship with the gospel of Christ makes a person like a good householder, wise and useful in the care of his family.