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Joh_17:9. I pray for them! Both in ἐγώ and in περὶ αὐτῶν there lies a motive element in reference to God. That which lies in περὶ αὐτῶν is then further made specially prominent, first negatively ( οὐ π . τ . κόσμ . ἐρ .), and then positively ( ἀλλὰ περὶ , κ . τ . λ .).
οὐ περὶ τοῦ κόσμου ] has no dogmatic weight, and is therefore not to be explained in the sense of the condemnation of the world (Melanchthon), or of absolute predestination (Calvin, Jansen, Lampe), or of the negation of such intercession in general (Hengstenberg), but refers simply and solely to this present intercession, which has in truth no relation to those who are strangers to God, but to His own, whom He has given to Jesus,—and this should all the more move Him to fulfil the prayers. Prayer for the unbelieving has been enjoined by Jesus Himself (Mat_5:44), and was, moreover, offered by Himself upon the cross (Luk_23:34), and for them did He die, comp. also Joh_17:20; but here He has only the disciples in view, and lays them, by the antithesis οὐ περὶ τ . κόσμου , the more earnestly on the Father’s heart. Luther well says: “At other times one should pray for the world, that it may be converted.” Comp. Joh_17:21.
ὅτι σοί εἰσι ] Ground of the intercession: because they—although given to me—are Thine, belonging to Thee as my believing ones, since they were Thine (Joh_17:6) already, before Thou gavest them to me.