This is my commandment - The special law of Christianity, called hence “the new commandment.” See the notes at John 13:34.As I have loved you - That is, with the same tender affection, willing to endure trials, to practice self-denials, and, if need be, to lay down your lives for each other, 1 John 3:16. read more
John 15:12. This is my commandment This I especially enjoin you, whether as apostles or private Christians; that ye love one another Cordially and constantly; even, if it be possible, with as great fervency and constancy, as I have loved you So as to be ready to sacrifice your lives for each other, as I expose and give up mine for you. It is remarkable, that no one duty is more frequently inculcated, or more pathetically urged upon his disciples, by our Lord, than that of mutual love. ... read more
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
My commandment . My charge to you. As the Father's charge to Me (John 15:10 ) so My charge to you. Compare John 13:34 . as = even as. have loved = loved, as in John 15:9 . read more
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.This is identical with John 13:34, which see. Although not so designated here, it is the "new commandment." read more
John 15:12. This is my commandment,— "As I told you before, ch. John 13:34.—the chief of all the commandments which I enjoin you, whether as apostles or private Christians, is, that ye love one another.—I do not mean after the hypocritical manner of the world, who often love in word, and in tongue, while nothing is more remote from their heart;—but in the sincere, tender, constant, manner of my love to you." Our Lord was thus earnest in pressing them to mutual love, not only because the great... read more
12-16. That ye love one another, &c.—(See on John 15:1). read more
5. The importance of abiding in Jesus 15:1-16Jesus continued to prepare His disciples for His departure. He next taught the Eleven the importance of abiding in Him with the result that they would produce much spiritual fruit. He dealt with their relationships to Himself, one another, and the world around them in chapter 15. Their responsibilities were to abide, to love, and to testify respectively."If in the Discourse recorded in the fourteenth chapter of St. John’s Gospel the Godward aspect of... read more
The exposition of themes in the metaphor 15:9-16Jesus proceeded to expound further on some of the themes that He had introduced in His teaching on the vine and the branches (John 15:1-8). We observed the same pattern in Jesus’ teaching about the Good Shepherd in chapter 10. The subject moves generally from the believing disciple’s relationship with God to his or her relationship with other believers. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:12-15
Our friendship for Christ. Friendship is a relation between two parties. On both sides it is voluntary. It is mutual and reciprocal. We have seen how Christ shows his friendship towards us. We have to consider how we prove our friendship towards Christ, what he justly expects and requires from us. I. OUR FRIENDSHIP FOR CHRIST IS SHOWN IN THE FEELINGS OF OUR HEARTS TOWARDS HIM . 1. We admire his character. In varying degree we admire the principles, the... read more