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NASB | John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 7:38 "He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, 'From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.'" [Is 58:11; John 4:14] |
Bible Question (short): Is Jesus the source? |
Question (full): Thanks to all who responded... The reason I ask this question is because I want to make sure that I understand what is really being said in this scripture. It helps to let "clear heads" think through the problem. Sometimes our understanding of a text is hindered because we receive a traditional interpretation that have may have been based on a flawed exegesis. My problem with the orthodox view of this verse is based on the statement Jesus made in the preceding verse [John 8:37]: 'Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."' Here, Jesus invites anyone who thirsts to come to Him and drink. The strong implication of this statement is that Jesus is the source of the spiritual/living water that is needed to quench the spiritual thirst of the soul. Is it possible that the words "he who believes in me" could be referring to and qualifying (in a grammatical sense) those who, upon hearing Jesus and realizing their spiritual thirst, would indeed come to Him and "drink?" Is it further possible that the phrase "out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water" could be referring to Jesus Himself? He had just invited those that thirst to come to Him and drink. This would seem to indicate that Jesus is strengthening his appeal to those who heard Him, by pointing out that He indeed is the source of that which can quench the thirsting of the soul. Consider verse 39: 'But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.' Those who believe in Christ (i.e., come to Him that He may quench their spiritual thirst) receive His Spirit, which is evidently the "rivers of living water that flowed from his innermost being." Thanks in advance for your patient and kind consideration. Kind regards, Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |