John 4:14

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, etc.] Meaning, the Spirit and his grace; (see <430738>John 7:38,39); and which he more than once speaks of, as his gift here, and in the context: of which, whoever truly partakes, shall never thirst; either after sinful lusts and pleasures, and his former vicious way of living, which he now disrelishes: not but there are desires and lustings after carnal things in regenerate persons, as there were lustings in the Israelites, after the onions, garlic, and flesh pots in Egypt, when they were come out from thence; yet these are not so strong, prevalent, and predominant; they are checked and restrained by the grace of God; so that they…”

“The water that I shall give him - Jesus here refers, without doubt, to his own teaching, his “grace,” his “spirit,” and to the benefits which come into the soul that embraces his gospel. It is a striking image, and especially in Eastern countries, where there are vast deserts, and often a great want of water. The soul by nature is like such a desert, or like a traveler wandering through such a desert. It is thirsting for happiness, and seeking it everywhere, and finds it not. It looks in all directions and tries all objects, but in vain. Nothing meets its desires. Though a sinner seeks for joy in wealth and pleasures, yet he is not satisfied. He still thirsts for more, and seeks still for…”

“Will never thirst - Will never (provided he continue to drink thereof) be miserable, dissatisfied, without refreshment. If ever that thirst returns, it will be the fault of the man, not the water. But the water that I shall give him - The spirit of faith working by love, shall become in him - An inward living principle, a fountain - Not barely a well, which is soon exhausted, springing up into everlasting life - Which is a confluence, or rather an ocean of streams arising from this fountain. John 4:15”

“4:14 The notion of a fresh, bubbling spring was a powerful image in the dry climate of Israel. Those who come to God will neither hunger nor thirst (see Isa 49:10; 55:1-3; Jer 2:13).”

“shall never: Joh 6:35, Joh 6:58, Joh 11:26, Joh 17:2, Joh 17:3; Isa 49:10; Rom 6:23; Rev 7:16 shall be: Joh 7:38, Joh 7:39, Joh 10:10, Joh 14:16-19; Rom 5:21, Rom 8:16, Rom 8:17; Co2 1:22; Eph 1:13, Eph 1:14; Eph 4:30; Pe1 1:22; Jo1 5:20 John 4:15”