John 16:8 (ASV)

Passage

And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Nearby Context

John 16:6 But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.

John 16:8 And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

John 16:9 of sin, because they believe not on me;

John 16:10 of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "world", "come", "convict", "respect", "righteousness", and "judgment". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "world" and "come", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "Nevertheless I tell you the truth It..." into verse 9's "of sin because they believe not on...", so "world" and "come" belong inside that flow. In John context, the local focus is the identity of Jesus, new birth, eternal life, and belief and unbelief.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "world" and "come" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.