John 15:16-17

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:16

From the thirteenth to the fifteenth verse, our Lord, in a brief digression, has justified a portion of the great commandment of mutual love. That love is to correspond with his love to the disciples, and to explain his self-sacrifice to them; tie proves to them that they are his "friends," and therefore the objects of his dying love. Then the appeal is still further clenched by showing the origin and purport of his friendship for them. Ye did not choose me ( ἐξελέξασθε … ἐξελεξάμην ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:16

Choice and appointment. That these words refer in the first place, and indeed, in their complete application, altogether to the apostles, seems unquestionable. Yet there is a great principle embodied in them which has its working out in the experience of all Christ's people in every place and through the whole dispensation. I. THE DIVINE SELECTION . Notwithstanding that the Lord Jesus had just expressly repudiated speaking of and treating his disciples as servants, and had just... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:16

Jesus, the Decider and Provider. We have here the statement of a plain historical fact. Jesus, from the general body of his disciples, did pick out a special company for special work. No doubt they also had to choose, but their choice simply amounted to recognition; they could not put any one else in the place which Jesus held. And he invites them here to a retrospect of the hour in which he had chosen them . They would have liked in most things, practically in all things, to get their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:17

These things do I command you —clearly pointing back to John 15:12 — that ye may love one another . This entire meditation culminates where it began. The digression comes back to the main theme Westcott regards it as the starting-point of a new theme, but our Lord did not return upon the idea of mutual love, but discusses the effect upon the world of that love to each other and to him which blended their personalities into one mystic unity. This verse shows how the new topic links itself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:17-27

(b) The results of this union with Christ to the unbelieving world . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:17-27

The disciples and the world. Our Lord turns to a new thought—the relation of his disciples to the world. I. THE SCOPE OF ALL CHRIST 'S TEACHING IS TO DEVELOP LOVE . "These things I command you, that ye may love one another." 1. This love is to be the characteristic of the new kingdom , and thus the strong attraction of the gospel. 2. Yet , essentially noble as it is , it will challenge the hostility of a world out of all sympathy with Christ . ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 15:16

Ye have not chosen me - The word here translated “chosen” is that from which is derived the word “elect,” and means the same thing. It is frequently thus translated, Mark 13:20; Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:31; Colossians 3:12. It refers here, doubtless, to his choosing or electing them to be apostles. He says that it was not because they had chosen him to be their teacher and guide, but because he had designated them to be his apostles. See John 6:70; also Matthew 4:18-22. He thus... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 15:13-16

John 15:13-16. Greater love To his friends, (of whom here he only speaks,) hath no man than this That is, a greater degree of love than this never existed in the world; that a man lay down his life for his friends That a man should be willing, not only on some sudden alarm, or in some extraordinary and unexpected danger, to hazard his life on their account; but on the coolest deliberation, to submit to lay it down for their preservation and happiness. Ye are my friends Ye are the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 15:17-21

John 15:17-21. These things I command you, &c. Again I would remind you, that if you would continue thus to be the objects of these my Father’s gracious regards, you must carefully practise your duty to each other, as well as to him; you must continue to love one another; and this you should the rather do, as you will be the mark of common hatred and persecution. Yet, if the world hate you You will have no reason to be offended or surprised at it; for ye know that it hated me Mild... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 15:1-27

145. Union with Jesus (John 15:1-27)In themselves believers have no life, strength or spiritual power. All that they have comes from Jesus Christ. If he is likened to a vine, they are likened to the branches, which means that they can bear spiritual fruit only as they are united in him. As they allow the Father to remove the hindrances of sin from their lives, they will bear even more fruit (John 15:1-5).Those who bear no fruit are like the dead branches of a vine. Though attached to it, they... read more

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