John 3:34

34 But he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God; for not to measure God giveth the Spirit.

John 3:34 Meaning and Commentary

John 3:34

For he whom God hath sent
Still meaning Christ, who was sent in human nature, in the likeness of sinful flesh, in the fulness of time; to be the Saviour of the world, of that which was lost, of the chief of sinners; and to preach the glad tidings of the Gospel, which is more especially here designed; and for which he was abundantly qualified by the Spirit of God, with which he was anointed: speaketh the words of God;
the words which God gave unto him; the doctrines of grace; the word of truth; the word of faith; the word of righteousness; the word of reconciliation; the words of salvation and eternal life; the whole mind and will of God; and whatever he spoke were as true as the oracles of God, and were such. For God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him],
as he did to the prophets of the Old Testament, and to the apostles of the New; and to the ordinary ministers of the word, who have gifts differing one from another; to one is given one gift of the Spirit; and to another, another gift, as the Spirit pleaseth; and to everyone is given grace, or gifts of grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ, ( Ephesians 4:7 ) . To which agrees what the Jews say F1 of the Holy Spirit, and his gifts.

``Says R. Joden bar R. Simeon, even the waters which descend from above are not given, but, (hdmb) , "in measure".--Says R. Acha, even the Holy Spirit, which dwells upon the prophets, does not dwell, but (lqvmb) , "in weight".''
But the Lord Jesus has every, gift of the Spirit, and the fulness of grace in him: he is anointed with the oil of gladness, with the Holy Ghost above his fellows; and has an immeasurable unction of the holy one; which, like the precious oil poured on Aaron, descends from him to the members of his body.
FOOTNOTES:

F1 Vajikra Rabba, sect. 15. fol. 157. 3.

John 3:34 In-Context

32 And he witnesseth that thing that he hath seen, and heard [And this thing that he saw and heard, he witnesseth], and no man taketh his witnessing.
33 But he that taketh his witnessing, hath confirmed that God is soothfast. [Forsooth he that hath taken his witnessing, hath marked that God is soothfast.]
34 But he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God; for not to measure God giveth the Spirit.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and he hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth in the Son, hath everlasting life; but he that is unbelieveful to the Son, shall not see everlasting life, but the wrath of God dwelleth on him.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.