John 8:51

τὸν ἐμὸν λόγον for τ. λ. τ. ἐμ. (S. John’s common use).

51. ἐμὸν λόγον τηρήση. Keep My word. The connexion with John 8:31; John 8:43 and John 5:24 must be preserved by retaining the same translation for λόγος: ‘keeping My word’ here corresponds to ‘abiding in My word’ in John 8:31. Τὸν λόγον τηρεῖν is a phrase of frequent occurrence in S. John; John 8:52; John 8:55; John 14:23; John 15:20; John 17:6; Revelation 3:8; Revelation 3:10 : τοὺς λόγους τηρεῖν, John 14:24; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:9 : so also the analogous phrase τὰς ἐντολὰς τηρεῖν; John 14:15; John 14:21; John 15:10; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 5:2-3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12. Of the three phrases the first is the most comprehensive; τὸν λόγον τ. is to observe the Divine revelation as a whole; τοὺς λ. or τὰς ἐντ. τ. is to observe certain definite injunctions. Τηρεῖν is not merely keeping in mind, but being on the watch to obey and fulfil. Comp. φυλάσσειν (τὸν νόμον, τὰ δόγματα, τὴν παραθήκην), which is being on the watch to guard and protect. By ‘keeping His word’ they may escape the judgment just mentioned. There is no need to suppose, therefore, that John 8:49-50 are addressed to His opponents, and John 8:51 to a more friendly group; a change of which there is no hint.

θ. οὐ μὴ θ. εἰς τ. αἰῶνα. Shall certainly not behold death for ever: i.e. shall never behold or experience death. Εἰς τ. αἰῶνα belongs like οὐ μή to θεωρήσῃ, not to θάνατον: it does not mean ‘he shall see death,’ but ‘death shall not be eternal.’ This is evident from John 4:14, which cannot mean ‘shall thirst,’ but ‘the thirst shall not be eternal,’ and from John 13:8, which cannot mean ‘shalt wash my feet,’ but ‘the washing shall not be eternal.’ In all three cases the meaning is ‘shall certainly never.’ Comp. John 10:28; John 11:26; 1 Corinthians 8:13.

θεωρήσῃ. Θεωρεῖν θάνατον occurs here only in N.T. It is stronger than ἰδεῖν θαν. (Luke 2:26; Hebrews 11:5) and ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν (Acts 2:27; Acts 2:31; Acts 13:35), expressing fixed contemplation and full acquaintance. Just as ‘keep My word’ here corresponds to ‘abide in My word’ in John 8:31, so ‘exemption from death’ here corresponds to ‘freedom’ there: εἰς τ. αἰῶνα occurs in both passages. The firm believer has (not shall have) eternal life and real freedom, and shall never lose either. Of this Christ solemnly (ἀμὴν� John 8:34; John 8:51) assures them.