John 15:9-17

John 15:9-17
Sixth Sunday of Easter B

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As the Father has lovedA me, so I have loved you; abideB in my love.C 

Notes on verse 9

A “loved” = agapao. Perhaps from agan (much). This is love, longing for, taking pleasure in. It is divine love or human love that echoes divine love.
B “abide” = meno. This is to stay, remain, wait, await, continue, abide, endure. It can mean to literally stay in a place or to remain in a condition or to continue with hope and expectation.
C “love” = agape. Related to “loved” in v9. From agapao (see note A above). This is love, goodwill, benevolence. It is God’s divine love or human love that mirrors God’s love.

10 If you keepD my commandments,E you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joyF may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.G

Notes on verses 10-11

D “keep” = tereo. From teros (a guard or a watch that guards keep); perhaps related to theoreo (gazing, beholding, experiencing, discerning; looking at something to analyze it and concentrate on what it means; the root of the word “theatre” in that people concentrate on the action of the play to understand its meaning); from theaomai (to behold, look upon, see, contemplate, visit); from thaomai (to gaze at a spectacle; to look at or contemplate as a spectator; to interpret something in efforts to grasp its significance); from theoros (a spectator or envoy). This is to guard, observe, keep, maintain, or preserve. It can also be used figuratively for spiritual watchfulness. It is guarding something from being lost or harmed – keeping an eye on it. Contrast the Greek phulasso, which is to guard something so that it doesn’t escape. Also contrast koustodia, which generally denotes a fortress or military presence. This word can mean fulfilling commands, keeping in custody, or maintaining. It can also figuratively mean to remain unmarried.
E “commandments” = entole. From entellomai (to charge, command, give orders or instructions) {from en (in, on, at, by, with) + tellomai (to accomplish) [from telos (an end, aim, purpose, completion, end goal, consummation, tax; going through the steps to complete a stage or phase and then moving on to the next one)]}. This is an order, command, ordinance, or law. It focuses on the purpose of the command and its end result.
F “joy” = chara. From chairo (to rejoice, be glad or cheerful; a greeting); from char– (to extend favor, lean towards, be inclined to be favorable towards). This is joy, delight, gladness. Can be understood as the feeling you get when you are aware of grace.
G “be complete” = pleroo. From pleres (to be full, complete, abounding in, occupied with). This is to fill, make full or complete. Properly, this is filling something up to the maximum extent that it can be filled – an appropriate amount for its individual capacity. So, this is used figuratively for furnish, influence, satisfy, finish, preach, perfect, and fulfill.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay downH one’s lifeI for one’s friends.J 14 You are my friends if you doK what I commandL you. 

Notes on verses 12-14

H “lay down” = tithemi. This is to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense. Properly, it is placing something in a passive or horizontal position.
I “life” = psuche. From psucho (to breathe, blow). This is breath, the breath of life, the self, individual, soul. This is the word for that which makes a person unique – their identity, will, personality, affections. This isn’t the soul as the immortal part of us, but as our individuality. It is also not life as a general concept, but specific to people. This is where the words psyche and psychology come from.
J “friends” = philos. This is dear, beloved, a friend, an associate; friendship with personal affection, a trusted confidante; love from personal experience with another person.
K “do” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
L “command” = entellomai. Related to “commandments” in v10. 15x in NT. See note E above.

15 I do not call you servantsM any longer, because the servant does not knowN what the masterO is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made knownP to you everything that I have heardQ from my Father. 

Notes on verse 15

M “servants” = doulos. Perhaps from deo (to tie, bind, fasten, impel, compel; to declare something against the law or prohibited). This is used for a servant or for a slave, enslaved. It refers to someone who belongs to someone else. But, it could be voluntary (choosing to be enslaved to pay off debt) or involuntary (captured in war and enslaved). It is used as a metaphor for serving Christ. Slavery was not inherited (i.e. the children of slaves were not assumed to be slaves) and slaves could buy their way to freedom. Slavery was generally on a contractual basis (that is for the duration of how long it took you to pay your debt and/or save up enough money to buy your freedom).
N “know” = eido. This is to know, consider perceive, appreciate, behold, or remember. It means seeing with one’s eyes, but also figuratively, it means perceiving – seeing that becomes understanding. So, by implication, this means knowing or being aware.
O “master” = kurios. From kuros (authority, supremacy). This is a respectful address meaning master or sir. It refers to one who has control or power greater than one’s own. So, it was also applied to God and Jesus as Master or Lord.
P “made known” = gnorizo. From ginosko (to know, recognize, realize, perceive, learn; gaining knowledge through personal experience). This is to declare, know, discover, make known.
Q “heard” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.

16 You did not chooseR me but I chose you. And I appointedS you to goT and bearU fruit,V

Notes on verse 16a

R “choose” = eklego. From ek (from, from out of) + lego (to speak, tell, mention). This is to choose, select, elect.
S “appointed” = tithemi. Same as “lay down” in v13. See note H above.
T “go” = hupago. From hupo (by, under, under the authority of) + ago (lead, bring, guide, spend, drive, carry). This is to lead under so to depart, go away, or die. It is to lead away under the command of someone else, being given a mission or objective to carry out.
U “bear” = phero. This is to bear, bring, lead, or make known publicly. It is to carry in a literal or figurative sense.
V “fruit” = karpos. Perhaps from harpazo (to seize by force, snatch away); from haireo (to choose, take). This is a fruit or vegetable, through sometimes it refers to an animal. Figuratively, it is deeds, results, profits, or gain.

fruit that will last,W so that the Father will give you whatever you askX him in my name.Y 17 I am giving you these commandsZ so that you may love one another.

Notes on verses 16b-17

W “will last” = meno. Same as “abide” in v9. See note B above.
X “ask” = aiteo. This is to ask, demand, beg, desire.
Y “name” = onoma. Related to “made known” in v15. May be from ginosko (see note P above). This is a name, authority, cause, character, fame, reputation. The name was thought to include something of the essence of the person so it was not thought to be separate from the person.
Z “giving…commands” = entellomai. Same as “command” in v14. See note L above.


Image credit: “On this Rock” by Lambsongs – Jill Kemp and Richard Gunther.

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