John 15:17

17 These things I command to you, that ye love together.

John 15:17 Meaning and Commentary

John 15:17

These things I command you
The doctrines which Christ spake, as one having authority, concerning the vine and branches; his love to his disciples, in laying down his life for them, and in accounting and using them as friends, and not servants; in choosing, ordaining, and sending them forth, for the ends above mentioned; these were delivered by him with this view, to promote brotherly love among them: that ye love one another; this lay much upon his heart, he often mentions it; this is the third time it is expressed by him, in these his last discourses; and indeed, since he had declared such strong love and affection for them, it was but right and proper they should love one another; nor does anything more tend to increase mutual love among the saints, than the consideration of their common interest in the unchangeable love of their Lord.

John 15:17 In-Context

15 Now I shall not call you servants, for the servant knoweth not, what his lord shall do; but I have called you friends, for all things whatever I heard of my Father, I have made known to you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I chose you; and I have put you [and put you], that ye go, and bring forth fruit, and your fruit dwell; that whatever thing ye [shall] ask the Father in my name, he give to you.

17 These things I command to you, that ye love together.

18 If the world hate you, know ye, that it had me in hate rather than you [know ye, for it had me in hate first than you].

19 If ye had been of the world, the world should love that thing that was his; but for ye be not of the world, but I chose you from the world, therefore the world hateth you.