Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 13:34 - 13:34

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 13:34 - 13:34


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34. ἐντολὴν καινήν. The commandment to love was not new, for ‘thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Lev 19:18) was part of the Mosaic Law. But the motive is new; to love our neighbour because Christ has loved us. We have only to read the ‘most excellent way’ of love set forth in 1 Corinthians 13, and compare it with the measured benevolence of the Pentateuch, to see how new the commandment had become by having this motive added. Καινήν not νέαν: καινός looks back, ‘fresh’ as opposed to ‘worn out’ (Joh 19:41; 1Jn 2:7-8, which doubtless refers to this passage; Rev 2:17; Rev 3:12; Rev 21:1-5); νέος looks forward, ‘young’ as opposed to ‘aged’ (Luk 5:39; 1Co 5:7). Both are used Mar 2:22, οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς καινούς, new wine into fresh wine-skins. Both are used of διαθήκη: νέα, Heb 12:24; καινή, Luk 22:20. Ἐντολὴν διδόναι is peculiar to S. John (Joh 12:49, Joh 14:31; 1Jn 3:23; comp. Joh 11:57). Καθὼς ἠγάπησα ὑμᾶς belongs to the second half of the verse, being the reason for the fresh commandment;—even as I (have) loved you. Comp. ‘If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another’ (1Jn 4:11). The aorist shews that Christ’s work is regarded as already completed; but the perfect is perhaps more in accordance with English idiom: see on Joh 8:29 and comp. Joh 15:9; Joh 15:12.