Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
29. the work of God ] They probably were thinking of works of the law, tithes, sacrifices, &c. Christ tells them of one work, one moral act, from which all the rest derive their value, belief in Him whom God has sent.
that ye believe ] Literally, that ye may believe. S. John’s favourite form of expression, indicating the Divine purpose. Comp. Joh 6:50 and Joh 5:36.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This is the work of God – This is the thing that will be acceptable to God, or which you are to do in order to be saved. Jesus did not tell them they had nothing to do, or that they were to sit down and wait, but that there was a work to perform, and that was a duty that was imperative. It was to believe on the Messiah. This is the work which sinners are to do; and doing this they will be saved, for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth, Rom 10:4.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 29. This is the work of God, that ye believe] There is nothing you can be employed in more acceptable to God than in yielding to the evidence set before you, and acknowledging me as your Messiah and the Saviour of a lost world.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Our Lord calleth them to a work they never thought of, the owning and acknowledgment of him to be the true Messiah; the embracing and receiving him as such, and trusting him with all the concerns of their souls; which was necessary, notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience, and inseparable from it. This our Saviour calleth
the work of God, in answer to what they had said about working the works of God. Yet this will not prove that we are justified by works, because we are justified by faith; for here is no discourse concerning the causation of faith in the justification of a soul, but only concerning what is the will of God, as to all those that shall be saved.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29. This is the work of GodThatlies at the threshold of all acceptable obedience, being not only theprerequisite to it, but the proper spring of itin that sense, thework of works, emphatically “the work of God.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God,…. The main and principal one, and which is well pleasing in his sight; and without which it is impossible to please him; and without which no work whatever is a good work; and this is of the operation of God, which he himself works in men; it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God:
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent; there are other works which are well pleasing to God, when rightly performed, but faith is the chief work, and others are only acceptable when done in the faith of Christ. This, as a principle, is purely God’s work; as it is an act, or as it is exercised under the influence of divine grace, it is man’s act: “that ye believe”; the object of it is Christ, as sent by the Father, as the Mediator between God and men, as appointed by him to be the Saviour and Redeemer; and believing in Christ, is believing in God that sent him. The Jews reduce all the six hundred and thirteen precepts of the law, for so many they say there are, to this one, “the just shall live by his faith”, Hab 2:4. e
e T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 23. 2. & 24. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The work of God that ye believe ( ). In 1Th 1:3 Paul speaks of “your work of faith” ( ). So here Jesus terms belief in him as the work of God. These Jews were thinking of various deeds of the Pharisaic type and rules. Jesus turns their minds to the central fact. “This simple formula contains the complete solution of the relation of faith and works” (Westcott). Note the present active subjunctive , “that ye may keep on believing.”
On him whom he hath sent ( ). The pronominal antecedent ( ) is omitted and the preposition is retained with the relative really the direct object of (sent). Note for God (emphatic he).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Believe. Faith is put as a moral act or work. The work of God is to believe. Faith includes all the works which God requires. The Jews ‘ question contemplates numerous works. Jesus ‘ answer directs them to one work. Canon Westcott justly observes that “this simple formula contains the complete solution of the relation of faith and works.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Jesus answered and said unto them,” (apekrithe lesous kai eipen autois) “Jesus responded and said directly to them,” as momentary earnest or honest inquirers, Joh 7:17.
2) “This is the work of God,” (touto estin to ergon tou theou) “This is (exists as) the work of God,” not the works” of God, but the “work” of God. This is the preeminent thing required of every responsible human being, as “the work of God,” believing or trusting in Jesus Christ, at which point one receives a pure heart, Act 15:9; is saved, Act 16:31, and becomes a child of God, Gal 3:26; Joh 1:11-12.
3) “That ye believe on him,” (hina pisteuete eis) “That you all believe into him;” Faith is (exists as) “the gift of God,” by which one is saved. It is offered as a gift, through the Spirit, energized in the conviction of a sinner, which when placed by voluntary will or volition in Jesus Christ, is changed from the noun “gift of faith” into the verb of action, belief from the heart, at which point one becomes a child of God, Eph 2:8-9; Joh 1:11-12; 1Jn 5:1; Gal 3:26.
4) “Whom he hath sent.” (hon apesteilen ekeinos) “That one (is) the one whom he sent.” Jesus Christ, as the Savior, Joh 3:17; Luk 19:10. When a sinner receives the gift of faith (Gk. pistis, the power-drive) from God, and places it as belief in Jesus Christ, from his heart, he then, through labor or work (poiein), does the will of God. “For with the heart man believes (eis) into righteousness,” Rom 10:9; and with heart “belief,” as “the work” of God one “believes the report,” that the one Lamb of God will save him, Rom 10:16. Here “obeying the Gospel” is specifically, and definitively, declared to be “believing the report” or testimony, as related Isa 53:1-7. Obeying the Gospel is believing in Jesus Christ, from the heart, not baptism, not good works, not reformation, etc.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
29. The work of God is this. They had spoken of works Christ reminds them of one work, that is, faith; by which he means that all that men undertake without faith is vain and useless, but that faith alone is sufficient, because this alone does God require from us, that we believe For there is here an implied contrast between faith and the works and efforts of men; as if he had said, Men toil to no purpose, when they endeavor to please God without faith, because, by running, as it were, out of the course, they do not advance towards the goal. This is a remarkable passage, showing that, though men torment themselves wretchedly throughout their whole life, still they lose their pains, if they have not faith in Christ as the rule of their life. Those who infer from this passage that faith is the gift of God are mistaken; for Christ does not now show what God produces in us, but what he wishes and requires from us.
But we may think it strange that God approves of nothing but faith alone; for the love of our neighbor ought not to be despised, and the other exercises of religion do not lose their place and honor. So then, though faith may hold the highest rank, still other works are not superfluous. The reply is easy; for faith does not exclude either the love of our neighbor or any other good work, because it contains them all within itself. Faith is called the only work of God, because by means of it we possess Christ, and thus become the sons of God, so that he governs us by his Spirit. So then, because Christ does not separate faith from its fruits, we need not wonder if he make it to be the first and the last. (140)
That you believe in him whom he hath sent. What is the import of the word believe, we have explained under the Third Chapter. It ought always to be remembered that, in order to have a full perception of the power of faith, we must understand what Christ is, in whom we believe, and why he was given to us by the Father. It is idle sophistry, under the pretext of this passage, to maintain that we are justified by works, if faith justifies, because it is likewise called a work First, it is plain enough that Christ does not speak with strict accuracy, when he calls faith a work, just as Paul makes a comparison between the law of faith and the law of works, (Rom 3:27.) Secondly, when we affirm that men are not justified by works, we mean works by the merit of which men may obtain favor with God. Now faith brings nothing to God, but, on the contrary, places man before God as empty and poor, that he may be filled with Christ and with his grace. It is, therefore, if we may be allowed the expression, a passive work, to which no reward can be paid, and it bestows on man no other righteousness than that which he receives from Christ.
(140) “ Proram et puppim,” literally, “stem and stern,” a Latin idiom for the whole. The Author’s French version (ed. 1558) renders the clause, “ il ne se faut point esbahir s’il constitue en elle la fin et le commencement;” — “we must not be astonished if he makes it to be the end and the beginning;” and in ed. 1564, it runs thus, “ ce n’est pas merveille que la foy est tout ce que Dieu requiert;” — “it is not wonderful that faith is all that God requires.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(29) This is the work of God.They speak of works, regarding life as an aggregate of individual deeds. He speaks of work, regarding separate acts as the outcome of principle. His own works (Joh. 5:36) made one complete work (Joh. 17:4). They had one great work to do, which indeed seemed not a work, but which when realised would be the living principle of every work, and would be as food abiding unto eternal life.
That ye believe on him whom he hath sent.Comp. Joh. 5:24. To believe on Him whom God hath sent is already to have the spiritual life which is eternal. The contrast of the words comes to us across the discussions of many centuries, speaking to the angry waves which arise in mens souls and bidding them be still. Faith and work, then, are one. As soul and body, they together make one life. The energy of every work is in the faith which links the soul with God; the outcome of all faith is in the act which links the soul with man. The work of life is faith; and faith worketh by love (Gal. 5:6).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. Believe on him Faith in Christ is the great saving work. Faith is work. Faith and work are one. Faith is the work in which all works is embodied. Be there a true perfect faith, and all works of righteousness will come into it and be one with it. Upon such a faith God forgives; by such a faith a man is graciously held just; consequent upon such a faith is present and eternal salvation.
To these men it was an explanation, too condensed to be overlooked, and too clear to be misunderstood. Fresh from the great miracle under whose influence they were confessedly acting, he places the offer of divine life, through faith in himself as God’s own Son, before their acceptance so plainly, that they completely see it and finally REJECT it.
‘Jesus answered and said to them, “This is God’s work, that you put your full trust in the One Whom He has sent”.
Jesus now came to the main issue. Let their minds concentrate on Him. Let them recognise that He was God’s ‘sent One’. Let them respond to His words and teaching. Let them open their hearts to the work of the Spirit. That was the ‘work’ which God desired of them then and there, that they hear and believe and respond. Concentration on Him was the work that God required until their faith was aroused and fixed on Him and His saving work. Belief itself is, of course, not a ‘work’. It is a response of heart on seeing and coming to know the truth. No one can make himself truly believe. As Jesus will point out, it has to be given them by the Father. But He is pointing out that without that true belief all else is meaningless.
Joh 6:29-30. This is the work of God, The Jews having their minds filled with the notion of the great empire which the Messiah was to erect, expected, no doubt, that Jesus would have bidden them first rise against the Romans, and vindicate their liberties, and then, by the terror of fire and sword, establish the Messiah’s authority in every country. Wherefore, when he told them that the whole work which God required of them towards erecting the Messiah’s kingdom, was, that they should believe on the Messiah, whom he had now sent unto them, they were exceedingly offended, thinking that he could not be the Messiah promised in the law and the prophets: and some, more audacious than the rest, had the confidence to tell him, that since he pretended to be the Messiah, and required them to believe in him as such, (notwithstanding his character appeared to them entirely different from that of the great deliverer whom they expected, being so humble and peaceable as to refuse the crown, which of right pertained to the Messiah, and which they had offered him,) it would be proper that he should shew greater miracles than their law-giver had performed; otherwise they could not be to blame, if, believing Moses and the prophets, they persisted in their ancient faith concerning the Messiah, and concerning the duty which they owed him. The sentiments of those who speak to Christ in this discourse, are so various, (comp. Joh 6:34; Joh 6:41-42.) and the evangelist so expressly declares that there was a debate between them, Joh 6:52 that it would be wrong to imagine the sentiments in the 30th verse to have been those of the whole multitude, who had followed Christ with so much eagerness from place to place for several days. See the following note, and particularly the notes on Joh 6:63 and on Mat 12:38-39.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Ver. 29. This is the work of God ] The . It is an easy matter to believe (thinks the worldling), but he that goes about it shall find it as hard a work to believe the gospel, as to keep the law. a For God must enable to both. Non minus difficile est nobis velle credere It is no less difficult for us to wish to believe than for a corpse to wish to. (saith Beza) quam cadaver; volare. We believe with much conflict, saith another. b The combat was not so great between Michael and Satan about Moses’ dead body, as between Satan and the believer concerning Christ’s living body. Faith is fain to tug and wrestle for it, till it sweat again.
a Rogers of Faith.
b Dike of the Deceitful Heart.
29. ] The meaning is not, that faith is wrought in us by God, is the work of God; but that the truest way of working the work of God is to believe on Him whom He hath sent.
, not , because there is but this one, properly speaking, and all the rest are wrapt up in it (see Jam 1:25 ).
This is a most important saying of our Lord, as containing the germ of that teaching afterwards so fully expanded in the writings of Paul. “I know not,” says Schleiermacher (cited by Stier, iv. 231, edn. 2), “where we can find any passage, even in the writings of the Apostles, which says so clearly and significantly, that all eternal life in men proceeds from nothing else than faith in Christ.”
answered and said. See App-122., and note on Deu 1:41.
believe on. See App-150., and note on Joh 1:7
sent. Greek. apostello. App-174.
29.] The meaning is not,-that faith is wrought in us by God, is the work of God; but that the truest way of working the work of God is to believe on Him whom He hath sent.
, not , because there is but this one, properly speaking, and all the rest are wrapt up in it (see Jam 1:25).
This is a most important saying of our Lord, as containing the germ of that teaching afterwards so fully expanded in the writings of Paul. I know not, says Schleiermacher (cited by Stier, iv. 231, edn. 2), where we can find any passage, even in the writings of the Apostles, which says so clearly and significantly, that all eternal life in men proceeds from nothing else than faith in Christ.
Joh 6:29. , the work of God) That work which is approved by God: comp. ch. Joh 4:34, [Jesus said] My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work. Jesus opposes the singular number to the plural of the Jews, who had said, the works of God, Joh 6:28. He retains, however, their term. In another sense, , the work of God, is used Rom 14:20.[126]-, that ye believe) The thing is expressed plainly, and afterwards is described successively in metaphorical and in plain language.
[126] For meat destroy not the work of God, i.e. the spreading of the Gospel.-E. and T.
Joh 6:29
Joh 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.-The work that God requires of them is to believe in Jesus Christ whom God hath sent to represent him. Believing in Christ is the work of God because appointed by God. It is to be done by man, for man must believe. This is a work performed by the inner, spiritual man. A careful study of this truth will help to solve several difficulties that give trouble in the religious world. The question of salvation by works has troubled the world. A clear understanding of the different senses in which the term works is used would help to settle this difficulty. It is used in two distinct senses-the works of God and the works of man. Salvation is often attributed to the former; never to the latter. The works of God are those works ordained by God for man to do, not works which God himself does. The works of man are those devised by man. A work ordained by God for one dispensation or for one class of persons, taken from this and transferred to another class, becomes in this latter a work of man. The verse illustrates the truth that the works of God are works ordained by God to be performed by man.
This: Joh 3:16-18, Joh 3:36, Joh 5:39, Deu 18:18, Deu 18:19, Psa 2:12, Mat 17:5, Mar 16:16, Act 16:31, Act 22:14-16, Rom 4:4, Rom 4:5, Rom 9:30, Rom 9:31, Rom 10:3, Rom 10:4, Heb 5:9, 1Jo 3:23, 1Jo 5:1
Reciprocal: Exo 4:13 – send Deu 18:15 – unto him Mat 12:50 – do Luk 8:21 – which Joh 6:27 – Labour not 1Co 15:58 – the work Phi 1:6 – begun 1Jo 3:22 – do 1Jo 4:9 – God sent Rev 2:26 – keepeth
9
Much of John’s account of the Gospel shows Jesus using temporal meat and drink to illustrate the spiritual. Work . . . that ye believe. Jesus meant that if a man really believes in Him, he will do the work that is required of him.
Joh 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe in him whom he sent. The one work which God would have them do is believing in Him whom He sent. The people had spoken of works, thinking of outward deeds; but that which God commands is one work, faith in Jesus. This faith leads to union with Him and participation of His Spirit, and thus includes in itself all works that are pleasing to God. We must not suppose that our Lord intends to rebuke their question, What must we do, as if He would say, It is not doing, but believing. The act of believing in Jesus, the souls casting itself on Him with perfect trust, is here spoken of as a work, as something which requires the exercise of mans will and calls forth determination and effort. It is very noticeable that these words of Jesus directly touch that thought in Joh 6:27, which their answer (Joh 6:28) neglected. The work of theirs of which He had spoken was their toil to come to Him: He had prescribed no other work, but had sought to lead them to the higher object,the attainment of the abiding nourishment, unto eternal life offered by the Son of man. So here: every disturbing or extraneous thought is put aside; and, with even unusual directness, force, and simplicity, Jesus shows that the one cardinal requirement of the Father is the reception of the Son by faith.
6:29 {5} Jesus answered and said unto them, {g} This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
(5) Men torment themselves in vain when they try to please God without faith.
(g) That is, this is the work that God requires, that you believe in me, and therefore he calls them back to faith.
The only work that God requires of people for salvation is faith in His Son (cf. Joh 3:11-17). The work that Jesus specified was not something physical at all. It was what God requires, namely, trust in Jesus (cf. Rom 3:28). Jesus’ reply was a flat contradiction of the idea that people can earn salvation with their good deeds. This is another of the many great evangelistic verses in John’s Gospel (Joh 1:12; Joh 3:16; Joh 3:36; Joh 5:24; Joh 6:47; et al.).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)