8And when He [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;…
(John 16:8)
The Holy Spirit brings conviction for sin. The word conviction is elegchó (ἐλέγχω) which means: To convict, to reprove, to expose, to refute, to correct or convince. Properly, it means to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).
Thayer's Lexicon adds:
1. to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted
2. to find fault with, correct;
Strong’s Greek 1651 describes a Spirit-energized act of bringing wrong into the open so that it can be acknowledged and forsaken. Whether translated “convict,” “expose,” “reprove,” or “rebuke,” the term always carries the aim of restoring people to God’s design rather than merely shaming them. It is truth spoken with moral authority, intended to move the conscience toward repentance and obedient faith.
The Early church fathers (e.g., Tertullian, Chrysostom) viewed public reproof as an act of love, integral to bringing people to repentance and church purity. The Reformers stressed the Word’s convicting power, seeing it as the engine of revival. Evangelical awakenings have historically been marked by strong preaching that lays bare sin, leading multitudes to confession and renewed obedience.
(John 16:8)
The Holy Spirit brings conviction for sin. The word conviction is elegchó (ἐλέγχω) which means: To convict, to reprove, to expose, to refute, to correct or convince. Properly, it means to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).
Thayer's Lexicon adds:
1. to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted
2. to find fault with, correct;
Strong’s Greek 1651 describes a Spirit-energized act of bringing wrong into the open so that it can be acknowledged and forsaken. Whether translated “convict,” “expose,” “reprove,” or “rebuke,” the term always carries the aim of restoring people to God’s design rather than merely shaming them. It is truth spoken with moral authority, intended to move the conscience toward repentance and obedient faith.
The Early church fathers (e.g., Tertullian, Chrysostom) viewed public reproof as an act of love, integral to bringing people to repentance and church purity. The Reformers stressed the Word’s convicting power, seeing it as the engine of revival. Evangelical awakenings have historically been marked by strong preaching that lays bare sin, leading multitudes to confession and renewed obedience.
