viz., of the liar, of every one that tells a lie. This is the view of Brentius, Bengel, Stier, Hengstenberg, and Alford.
(b) Some think that it means " he is a liar, and his father." This was an error of the Manicheans, and justly reproved by Augustine. Yet Grotius seems to hold this view, and maintains that he who deceived Adam and Eve was not the prince of the devils, but one of his messengers I (See 2 Cor. xii. 7.) This seems an untenable idea.
Neither of these views is at all natural and satisfactory, — and the one I have given— " father of a lie"— seems tome much more probable. It is the view of Augustine, Theophylact, Rupertus, Calvin, Bucer, Beza, Bullinger, Rollock, Burgon, Wordsworth, and the great majority of all commentators.
Let us note, in this verse, how strongly and directly our Lord rebukes His enemies. There are times when strong condemna- tion becomes a positive duty, and we must not refrain from it through fear of being charged with severity, personality, and harshness.
Let us note how clearly this verse establishes the personality of the devil. The expression before us can never be explained by those who think he is only a vague evil influence.
Let us note how the fall of angels is recognized and taught by our Lord, as one of the great truths that we must believe.
Let us note how murder and lying are specially mentioned as characteristics of the devil. They are sins most opposite to the mind of God, however lightly regarded — and lying especially — by man. An indifference to the sin of lying, whether among old or young, rich or poor, is one of the most unmistakable symptoms of an ungodly condition.
Luther says : " The world is a den of murderers, subject to the devil. If we desire to live on earth, we must be content to be guests in it, and to lie in an inn where the host is a rascal, whose house has over the door this sign or shield, ' For murder and lies.' For this sign and escutcheon Christ Himself hung over the door of his house, when He said, He is a murderer and a liar."
45. — [And because I tell, etc.~\ Our Lord in this verse puts in strong coutrast His own teaching and the lying suggestions of the devil, and the readiness of the wicked Jews to disbelieve Him and believe the devil. — "The reason why you do not be- lieve Me is, your thorough dislike to the truth of God. You are genuine children of your father the devil. If I told you things that are false, ye would believe Me. But because I tell you things that are true, you believe me not."
We see here how little cause faithful ministers of Christ have to feel surprise at the unbelief of many of their hearers. If they preach the truth, they must make up their minds not to
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be believed by many. It is only what happened to their Mas- ter. " If they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also." (John xv. 20.)
46.— [Which of you convinceth me? etc.'] Our Lord in this verse asks two questions, to which it was impossible for them to give an answer : " Which of you can reprove or convince Me as an offender concerning sin of any kind? You know that you can- not lay any offence to My charge. Yet if I am free from any charge, and at the same time speak to you nothing but what is right and true, what is the reason that ye do not believe Me ? "
Let us note here the perfect spotlessness and innocence of our Lord's character. None but He could ever say, "I have no sin. I challenge any one to find out any imperfection or fault in Me." Such a complete and perfect Sacrifice and Mediator is just what sinful man needs.
47.— [He that is of God, etc.~\ Our Lord in this verse supplies an answer to His own questions, and conclusively proves the wickedness and ungodliness of His hearers. — "He that is a true child of God hears with pleasure, believes, and obeys God's words, such as I bring to you from My Father. You, by not hearing, believing, and obeying them, prove plainly that you are not God's children. If you were, you would hear gladly, believe, and obey. Your not hearing proves conclusively that you are what I said, children, not of God, but of the devil."
Let us note here that the disposition to hear and listen to truth is always a good sign, though not an infallible one, about a person's soul. It is said, in another place, "My sheep hear my voice." (John x. 26, 27.) When we see people obstinately refusing to listen to counsel, and to attend to the Gospel, we are justified in regarding them as not God's children, not born again, without grace, and needing yet to be converted.
Let us note here, as elsewhere, how carefully our Lord speaks of His teaching as " God's words." It consisted of words and truths which God the Father had commissioned Him to preach and proclaim to man. It was not " His own words " only, but His Father's as well as His own.
Bollock observes, that there is no surer mark of an unsancti- fied nature than dislike to God's Word.
Musculus, Bucer, and others maintain here that the phrase, " He that is of God, heareth God's Words," must be confined to God's election; and means, " He that was chosen of God from all eternity." I cannot, however, see reason for confining the sense so closely. I prefer to consider " of God " as including, not only election, but calling, regeneration, adoption, conver- sion, and sanctification. This is Rollock's view. 6
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