Hi Steve,
The Gospel of John was written to encourage people to believe in Jesus (John 20:31). However, I was wondering how to make sense of a verse like John 12:42-43.
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Can people believe in Jesus and yet still fear man? I suppose it is possible but isn't there consequences (e.g. Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26)? How then does John 12:42-43 be an encouragement to John's readers?
John 12:42-43 - Believing yet fearful of man
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_Benjamin Ho
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John 12:42-43 - Believing yet fearful of man
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Grace and peace,
Benjamin Ho
Benjamin Ho
Hi Ben,
I think it is one of John's purposes, in seeking to encourage his readers in the true faith, to illustrate that not all belief measures up to that true faith which we are called to have. We see this elsewhere in John's Gospel.
In John 2:23-25, we are told that "many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew...what was in man." It seems plain that those who believed on this occasion were not such committed believers as to cause Jesus to trust them! He knew their hearts, and was not convinced that committing Himself to them would be a good risk.
After Jesus fed the 5000, we are told that those who observed it said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John 6:14). But when Jesus met up with these same people the next day, He said to them, "You have seen me, and yet do not believe" (v.36). They seemed to believe, but in Jesus' assessment, they did not believe as they should.
In John 8:30, we are told, "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him." But Jesus addressed those very "believers" with the challenge, "If you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed" (v.31). In the conversation that followed, these "believers" got so aggravated with Christ that they accused Him of having a demon (v.48)!
Therefore, it is in keeping with this theme in John that he mentions, in the verses you raised, certain people who "believed," but who "loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (12:42-43). Earlier, Jesus had said, "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44). This would seem to be saying that proper belief is impossible for those motivated by the fear of man, and therefore the "belief" of those in John 12:42 must have been another instance of inadequate faith.
I think John is trying to inspire true faith in his readers, in part, by showing examples of inadequate faith, by contrast, and by way of warning.
The "believers" in these passages appear to fit into that category so often pointed to by Calvinists--i.e., people who believe somewhat, but are not really regenerated because their faith is devoid of commitment. Of course, it is in the interest of Calvinists to acknowledge the existence of false believers, since they wish to relegate every backslider to this category. However, as non-Calvinists, it is not necessary in the least to deny that such a category exists. There will always be some who "went out from us because they were not all of us"(1 John 2:19), and "many" who give some evidence of faith, but to whom Jesus will ultimately say, "I never knew you" (Matt.7:21-23).
It would be naive to suggest that these people never had any kind of belief in Jesus, just as it would be incorrect to deny that "the demons believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). But these cases clearly show that not all faith is saving faith. "Faith without works" is a specie of faith indeed, but it is dead (James 2:17), and is therefore incapable of imparting life to its possessor. The kind of faith that "avails" to save the sinner is a "faith that works through love" (Gal.5:6). Any other kind of faith is worthless.
I think it is one of John's purposes, in seeking to encourage his readers in the true faith, to illustrate that not all belief measures up to that true faith which we are called to have. We see this elsewhere in John's Gospel.
In John 2:23-25, we are told that "many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew...what was in man." It seems plain that those who believed on this occasion were not such committed believers as to cause Jesus to trust them! He knew their hearts, and was not convinced that committing Himself to them would be a good risk.
After Jesus fed the 5000, we are told that those who observed it said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John 6:14). But when Jesus met up with these same people the next day, He said to them, "You have seen me, and yet do not believe" (v.36). They seemed to believe, but in Jesus' assessment, they did not believe as they should.
In John 8:30, we are told, "As He spoke these words, many believed in Him." But Jesus addressed those very "believers" with the challenge, "If you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed" (v.31). In the conversation that followed, these "believers" got so aggravated with Christ that they accused Him of having a demon (v.48)!
Therefore, it is in keeping with this theme in John that he mentions, in the verses you raised, certain people who "believed," but who "loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (12:42-43). Earlier, Jesus had said, "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44). This would seem to be saying that proper belief is impossible for those motivated by the fear of man, and therefore the "belief" of those in John 12:42 must have been another instance of inadequate faith.
I think John is trying to inspire true faith in his readers, in part, by showing examples of inadequate faith, by contrast, and by way of warning.
The "believers" in these passages appear to fit into that category so often pointed to by Calvinists--i.e., people who believe somewhat, but are not really regenerated because their faith is devoid of commitment. Of course, it is in the interest of Calvinists to acknowledge the existence of false believers, since they wish to relegate every backslider to this category. However, as non-Calvinists, it is not necessary in the least to deny that such a category exists. There will always be some who "went out from us because they were not all of us"(1 John 2:19), and "many" who give some evidence of faith, but to whom Jesus will ultimately say, "I never knew you" (Matt.7:21-23).
It would be naive to suggest that these people never had any kind of belief in Jesus, just as it would be incorrect to deny that "the demons believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). But these cases clearly show that not all faith is saving faith. "Faith without works" is a specie of faith indeed, but it is dead (James 2:17), and is therefore incapable of imparting life to its possessor. The kind of faith that "avails" to save the sinner is a "faith that works through love" (Gal.5:6). Any other kind of faith is worthless.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve