He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
The bride belongs to the bridegroom, so the Church belongs to Christ. I stand as a friend of the groom, honored to serve and to hear His voice. My joy is complete knowing the chief honour is His, not mine, and the people rightly flock to Him.
AI summary
He must increase,.... Not in stature of body, or in wisdom and understanding of mind, as man, he being come to maturity in these things already; but in fame, credit, and reputation among men; as he afterwards did in the land of Judea, by reason of his miracles and doctrines; and after that among the Gentiles, through the publication of his Gospel; and will more...
Christ went about weary in His journeyings to do good to souls. He left Jerusalem where His words made noise but did little good; the country received Him better because the great men there had less hold. His disciples stuck with Him through it all, following the ark whithersoever it moved.
AI summary
Commenting on John 3:22-36