Jesus draws 3 contrasts between our 2 spheres of life followed by 1 command built on 1 reality that clarifies our perspective. He concludes his instruction in the upper room with the familiar refrain, "These things I have spoken to you" (John 16:33; cf. 14:25; 15:11; 16:1,4,6,25,33). This expression (ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν) is not used elsewhere in John (Morris, John, p. 656).
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
There are 3 contrasts in this verse.
In Me vs. In the world
Peace vs. Pressure
Might have vs. Have
We simultaneously experience 2 spheres of life. The "in Me" (εν εμοι) sphere of life should be the dominant reality. The expression is emphatic both in position and form. The "in the world" (εν τω κοσμω) sphere of life, while seemingly the dominant reality, should actually be secondary not primary.
The 2 spheres of life are characterized by 2 contrasting experiences. In Christ we have peace (ειρηνην) while in the world we have pressure (θλιψιν). We can experience peace and pressure at the same time because we live in both spheres simultaneously. Peace and pressure co-exist in the life of every Christian. Peace is not the absence of pressure. We can have peace in the middle of our troubles.
Pressure in the world is a given while peace is a possibility. Jesus says, "you have" (εχετε) pressure in this world. The present tense indicative verb implies an ongoing reality. Jesus says, "you might have" (εχητε) peace in Him. The present tense verb is subjunctive in mood which is the mood of probability or possibility. Peace is not guaranteed unless the following command is obeyed.
The command is to "take courage" (θαρσειτε) which follows a strong adversative "but" (αλλα). Peace under pressure comes from courage under fire. We can have courage because Jesus has established a new reality for us. "I have overcome the world." The "I" (εγω) is not only emphatic but contrastive as well. "I" contrasts strongly with "you" (Robertson, Grammar, p. 677). We might have expected Jesus to say, "Take courage. You have overcome the world." He doesn't say that, of course, because the victory is not in us but in Him.
John 16:33 is the only time John uses the verb νικαω in the Gospel, but he uses it 6 times in 1 John (cf. 1 John 5:4) and 17 times in Revelation (Morris, John, p. 714, fn 82). Here in John 16:33 the verb is a perfect active indicative form (νενικηκα) indicating that Jesus has already won the the victory with ongoing results for us. He states this before the cross so certain is He of the results of the looming battle. Jesus faced the cross with assurance of total victory. He goes to the cross with confidence that He will conquer the enemy despite the horror He faces in battle.
We must take courage in His victory. We have victory because He has victory. We are conquerors because He is conqueror (Romans 8:37). We can have peace under pressure because we take courage that He is the conqueror.
The 2 spheres of life are characterized by 2 contrasting experiences. In Christ we have peace (ειρηνην) while in the world we have pressure (θλιψιν). We can experience peace and pressure at the same time because we live in both spheres simultaneously. Peace and pressure co-exist in the life of every Christian. Peace is not the absence of pressure. We can have peace in the middle of our troubles.
Pressure in the world is a given while peace is a possibility. Jesus says, "you have" (εχετε) pressure in this world. The present tense indicative verb implies an ongoing reality. Jesus says, "you might have" (εχητε) peace in Him. The present tense verb is subjunctive in mood which is the mood of probability or possibility. Peace is not guaranteed unless the following command is obeyed.
The command is to "take courage" (θαρσειτε) which follows a strong adversative "but" (αλλα). Peace under pressure comes from courage under fire. We can have courage because Jesus has established a new reality for us. "I have overcome the world." The "I" (εγω) is not only emphatic but contrastive as well. "I" contrasts strongly with "you" (Robertson, Grammar, p. 677). We might have expected Jesus to say, "Take courage. You have overcome the world." He doesn't say that, of course, because the victory is not in us but in Him.
John 16:33 is the only time John uses the verb νικαω in the Gospel, but he uses it 6 times in 1 John (cf. 1 John 5:4) and 17 times in Revelation (Morris, John, p. 714, fn 82). Here in John 16:33 the verb is a perfect active indicative form (νενικηκα) indicating that Jesus has already won the the victory with ongoing results for us. He states this before the cross so certain is He of the results of the looming battle. Jesus faced the cross with assurance of total victory. He goes to the cross with confidence that He will conquer the enemy despite the horror He faces in battle.
We must take courage in His victory. We have victory because He has victory. We are conquerors because He is conqueror (Romans 8:37). We can have peace under pressure because we take courage that He is the conqueror.
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