John 15:26

When the Comforter is come.

For discussion of the Comforter, his nature and work, see notes on the preceding chapter. In chapter 14:26, he says that the Father will send the Comforter in his name, while here he says that he will send him from the Father. These passages are in harmony and merely show how intimate the union between the Father and the Son. What one does the other may be said to do, for the same mind is in each. Christ often emphasized the fact that what he did and said was done by the Father. In Acts 2:33, when this promise was first fulfilled, Peter declared that it was Christ "which hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear."

Which proceedeth from the Father.

Christ attributes all the blessed and redemptive powers to his Father as the final cause. As he came himself from the Father so the Holy Spirit is from the Father. He is called the Spirit of God, and also the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11.)

He shall testify of me.

One principal office of the Spirit is to testify of Christ. See chapter 16:13-15. Nor is it difficult to ascertain how the Spirit testifies. Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the apostles "spake as the Spirit gave them utterance." Testimony is given in words, or by acts, and the Spirit speaks through the saints whom he chooses as his agents. Hebrews 10:15-16, shows how the Spirit bears witness: "Whereof the Holy Spirit is. witness to us; for after that he said before, This is the covenant," etc. The words which the Holy Spirit "said before" and by which he became "a witness" were spoken by the prophet Jeremiah. There is not an example recorded in the Bible of the Spirit testifying otherwise than in words spoken by those moved by his power, and in the lives of those in whom he dwells.. emphasize this fact because there is much idle speculation and error on the subject.