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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_15:12-17
12"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17This I command you, that you love one another."
Joh_15:12 "This is My commandment" Jesus repeated this theme often (cf. Joh_13:34; Joh_15:17; 1Jn_3:11; 1Jn_3:23; 1Jn_4:7-8; 1Jn_4:11-12; 1Jn_4:19-21; 2Jn_1:5).
▣ "that you love one another" This is a present active imperative, a continual command. Love is the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal_5:22). Love is not a feeling, but an action. It is defined in practical terms (cf. Gal_5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13).
▣ "just as I have loved you" This is an aorist active indicative. This was possibly a figurative reference to the cross (cf. Joh_15:13). Again, it was Jesus' special type of self-giving love that believers are to exhibit (cf. 2Co_5:14-15; Gal_2:20; 1Jn_3:16).
Joh_15:13 "that one lay down his life for his friends" This refers to Jesus' vicarious, substitutionary atonement (cf. Joh_10:11; Joh_10:15; Joh_10:17-18; Mar_10:45; Rom_5:7-8; 2Co_5:21; Isaiah 53). This is love in action! This is what disciples are called on to do (cf. 1Jn_3:16).
Joh_15:14 "You are my friends" This is the Greek noun philos, which is often associated with friendship love (phileô). In Koine Greek "agapaô " and "phileô " are often synonymous verbs for divine love (compare Joh_11:3 [phileô] and 5 [agapaô]); phileô also is used of God's love in Joh_5:20.
▣ "if you do what I command you" This is a third class conditional sentence which means potential action. It gives the condition for friendship, which is obedience (cf. Joh_14:15; Joh_14:23-24; Joh_15:10; Luk_6:46). As Jesus abided in the Father and remained in His love, so too, must His disciples!
Joh_15:15 Jesus informs the disciples of (1) truths about God and (2) future events. He demonstrates His power so that the disciples will grow in faith and trust. Jesus shared with His disciples what He had heard from the Father (cf. Joh_3:32; Joh_8:26; Joh_8:40; Joh_12:49; Joh_15:15); they were to pass this on to others (cf. Mat_28:20).
Joh_15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you" There are several key grammatical items.
1. both verbs are aorist middle indicative - Jesus, Himself, once and for all chose them (cf. Joh_6:70; Joh_13:18; Joh_15:16; Joh_15:19)
2. the strong "alla" (but) adversative
3. the emphatic "ego" or "I" statement
Here is the balance between human response and election. Both are biblical teachings. God always initiates (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65; Joh_15:16; Joh_15:19), but humans must respond (cf. Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Joh_15:4; Joh_15:7; Joh_15:9). God's dealings with mankind are always in a covenant relationship ("if. . .then"). See Special Topic at Joh_3:16.
The verb "chosen" in this context refers to the Twelve. The term "chosen" has the connotation of "chosen for service" in the OT and only in the NT does the added concept of "chosen for salvation" come into the semantic range. NT believers are chosen for Christlikeness which is service, selflessness, and sacrifice for the Kingdom of God, the body of Christ, the corporate good. It is a clear demonstration that the self-centeredness of the Fall has been broken.
It is characteristic in John that what Jesus says regarding the Twelve has implications and applications to all believers. They represent the first fruits of discipleship, but their relationship is
1. unique in its eyewitness testimony (i.e., inspiration)
2. applicable to all believers in that Jesus' will for them is His will for all who believe and follow
▣ "appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain" These are three present active subjunctives: (1) go; (2) bear fruit; and (3) fruit remains (abides). Believers are on a mission (cf. Mat_28:19-20; Luk_24:46-47; Act_1:8). The theological aspect of the term "appointed" can be seen in Act_20:28; 1Co_12:28; 2Ti_1:11. It was also used of Christ's death on believers' behalf (cf. Joh_10:11; Joh_10:15; Joh_10:17-18; Joh_15:13).
▣ "in My name" Believers are to reproduce Jesus' character. This phrase is synonymous with "the will of God" in 1Jn_5:14. Love and answered prayer are linked here as in Joh_14:13-15. See Special Topic: The Name of the Lord at Joh_14:13-14.
Joh_15:17 "This I command you , that you love one another" See note on Joh_15:12. Answered prayer is linked to love and mission!