Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
31. If you continue in my word. Here Christ warns them, in the first place, that it is not enough for any one to have begun well, if their progress to the end do not correspond to it; and for this reason he exhorts to perseverance in the faith those who have tasted of his doctrine.
Christ turns from the hardened Pharisees to address those few weak believers with comfort, because He gathers lambs in His arms and will not cast off faith in its infancy. The rule He sets down is settled: He owns none for His true disciples but those who continue in His Word, though many profess themselves His disciples only in show and name.
AI summary
Commenting on John 8:31-37
Jesus answered them, verily verily I say unto you,.... Taking no notice of their civil liberty, to which he could easily have replied to their confusion and silence, he observes to them their moral servitude and bondage, and in the strongest manner affirms, that whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin; which must be understood, not of one that commits a single act of...