The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the alternate Gospel Reading for the Commemoration of the Lutheran Reformation (Reformation Day), John 8:31–36, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
II. A discussion with the Jews concerning the office of Christ, concerning the true freedom of the children of Abraham and their characteristics, as well as concerning the divinity of Christ. (v. 12–58)
Annotated Text
31. Then Jesus now said to the Jews who believed in Him, “If * you (steadfastly) remain in My Speech (and My Words remain in you, John 15:7), so you are My true disciples (those to whom the end of faith, eternal salvation, will be gifted).
* John 7:17; 15:10, 14.
32. And you will know the truth (have the faith of God’s elect, the knowledge of the truth according to godliness, in the hope of everlasting life, Titus 1:1–2), and the truth (such blessed knowledge of salvation, which consists in the forgiveness of sins, Luke 1:77) * will make you free (from slavery to sin, John 8:34, and from eternal death, John 8:51).”
* John 8:36ff. (Romans 6:13; Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16)
33. Then they answered Him (namely, the others who were still unbelieving Jews, who were mixed with those believers), “We are Abraham’s seed, * we have never been anyone’s slaves (bondsmen) at anytime (The Jews said this out of lying presumption and a proud mind, for in truth the situation was something much different, as is known from the histories). ** How can You say then, ‘You shall be free?’”
(Matthew 3:9; Jeremiah 2:14)
* Greek: “and” – (By the former, they boast of a free origin, but with one, they boast of a free estate.)
** Nevertheless, it could also be that those who lived at that time and spoke with Christ had wanted it to be understood only of themselves, as those who were indeed subjects of the Emperor, but who were not slaves and still lived according to their own laws.
34. Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, * whoever sins (whoever lets sin reign in his mortal body, gives obedience to its lusts, and gives his members over to sin as instructions of unrighteousness, Romans 6:12–13), he is sin’s slave (and is free concerning righteousness, whose end is eternal death, Romans 6:20–21).
* Romans 6:16, 20; 2 Peter 2:19; 1 John 3:8.
35. However, the * slave (as it goes in common life) does not remain eternally in the house (in this way also whoever is a slave of sins and a bondsman of the devil, 1 John 3:8, 2 Timothy 2:26; and such a one who remains stiff-necked without repentance has no part nor inheritance in the house of God and in the eternal kingdom of heaven, John 14:2, even though he finds himself among the external heap of the congregation of God); the Son (that is, God’s) remains (in the same house of God) eternally (and with Him those also remain therein, who hold fast the confidence and the boast of hope until the end, Hebrews 3:6).
* Genesis 21:10
36. So now, if the Son * makes you free (through the heavenly truth, John 8:32), so you will be truly (and eternally) free (from sin, death, and hell).”
* Romans 6:18, 22; 1 Corinthians 7:22, Galatians 5:1 (Romans 8:2)
Useful Applications
[There are no applications listed for v. 31–36 in the text. AJB]
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 