Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; (John 8:31 KJV)
Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, [then] are ye truly my disciples; (John 8:31 ASV)
Jesus therefore said to the Jews who believed him, If ye abide in my word, ye are truly my disciples; (John 8:31 DBY)
Jesus, therefore, said unto the Jews who believed in him, `If ye may remain in my word, truly my disciples ye are, and ye shall know the truth, (John 8:31 YLT)
Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. (John 8:31 WEB)
Interlinear
Then <oun> said <lego> Jesus <Iesous> to <pros> those Jews <Ioudaios> which <ho> believed <pisteuo> on him, <autos> If <ean> ye <humeis> continue <meno> in <en> my <emos> word, <logos> then are ye <este> my <mou> disciples <mathetes> indeed; <alethos> (John 8:31 KJV)
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
Verse 31. If ye continue in my word. If you continue to obey my commandments and to receive my doctrines.
Then are ye, &c. This is the true test of Christian character. Joh 14:21. “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” See 1Jo 2:4; 3:24; 2Jo 1:6. In this place Jesus cautions them against too much confidence from their present feelings. They were just converted–converted under a single sermon. They had had no time to test their faith. Jesus assures them that if their faith should abide the test, if it should produce obedience to his commandments and a holy life, it would be proof that their faith was genuine, for the tree is known by its fruit. So we may say to all new converts, Do not repress your love or your joy, but do not be too confident. Your faith has not yet been tried, and if it does not produce a holy life it is vain, Jas 2:17-26.
{a} “continue” Ro 2:7; Col 1:23; Heb 10:38,39
Matthew Henry’s Commentary
I. A comfortable doctrine laid down concerning the spiritual liberty of Christ’s disciples, intended for the encouragement of those Jews that believed. Christ, knowing that his doctrine began to work upon some of his hearers, and perceiving that virtue had gone out of him, turned his discourse from the proud Pharisees, and addressed himself to those weak believers. When he had denounced wrath against those that were hardened in unbelief, then he spoke comfort to those few feeble Jews that believed in him. See here,
1. How graciously the Lord Jesus looks to those that tremble at his word, and are ready to receive it; he has something to say to those who have hearing ears, and will not pass by those who set themselves in his way, without speaking to them.
2. How carefully he cherishes the beginnings of grace, and meets those that are coming towards him. These Jews that believed were yet but weak; but Christ did not therefore cast them off, for he gathers the lambs in his arms. When faith is in its infancy, he has knees to prevent it, breasts for it to suck, that it may not die from the womb. In what he said to them, we have two things, which he saith to all that should at any time believe:–
(1.) The character of a true disciple of Christ: If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed. When they believed on him, as the great prophet, they gave up themselves to be his disciples. Now, at their entrance into his school, he lays down this for a settled rule, that he would own none for his disciples but those that continued in his word.
[1.] It is implied that there are many who profess themselves Christ’s disciples who are not his disciples indeed, but only in show and name.
[2.] It highly concerns those that are not strong in faith to see to it that they be sound in the faith, that, though not disciples of the highest form, they are nevertheless disciples indeed.
[3.] Those who seem willing to be Christ’s disciples ought to be told that they had as good never come to him, unless they come with a resolution by his grace to abide by him. Let those who have thoughts of covenanting with Christ have no thoughts of reserving a power of revocation. Children are sent to school, and bound apprentices, only for a few years; but those only are Christ’s who are willing to be bound to him for the term of life.
[4.] Those only that continue in Christ’s word shall be accepted as his disciples indeed, that adhere to his word in every instance without partiality, and abide by it to the end without apostasy. It is menein–to dwell in Christ’s word, as a man does at home, which is his centre, and rest, and refuge. Our converse with the word and conformity to it must be constant. If we continue disciples to the last, then, and not otherwise, we approve ourselves disciples indeed.