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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:21

Verse 21 21.That all may be one. He again lays down the end of our happiness as consisting in unity, and justly; for the ruin of the human race is, that, having been alienated from God, it is also broken and scattered in itself. The restoration of it, therefore, on the contrary, consists in its being properly united in one body, as Paul declares the perfection of the Church to consist in believers being joined together in one spirit and says that apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:22

Verse 22 22.And I have given to them the glory which thou gavest to me. Let it be observed here, that, while a pattern of perfect happiness was exhibited in Christ, he had nothing that belonged peculiarly to himself, but rather was rich, in order to enrich those who believed in him. Our happiness lies in having the image of God restored and formed anew in us, which was defaced by sin. Christ is not only the lively image of God, in so far as he is the eternal Word of God. but even on his human... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:1-26

4. The high-priestly intercession . Audible communion of the Son with the Father . The prayer which now follows reveals, in the loftiest and sublimest form, the Divine humanity of the Son of man, and the fact that, in the consciousness of Jesus as the veritable Christ of God, there was actually blended the union of the Divine and human, and a perfect exercise of the prerogatives of both. The illimitable task which writers of the second century must have set themselves to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20

Neither do I pray ( ἐρωτῶ ) for —concerning these alone, but also for those who believe £ on me through their word . The Lord summons the future into the present. He speaks of having once for all sent them, and he sees rising before his eye the multitudes in all ages who would believe their testimony as if already doing so. The universal Church rejoices in the fullness of his love and the greatness of his wish concerning the individuals who believe. The prayer is an eternal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20

Prayer for persuaders and persuaded. I. PRAYER FOR THE PERSUADERS Jesus says, "Neither pray I for these alone;" that means by implication his prayer for these . Jesus prays for those who will believe on him through the word of his servants; that means his prayer for those who will speak the word which produces the faith. Jesus had spoken to his servants in language of tenderness, energy, and strength, altogether unequalled. They had to go out on a great errand; they had a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-21

Christ's prayer for all believers. Our Lord, having prayed for himself and for his apostles, now prays for the whole body of believers. I. HE PRAYS FOR THE BELIEVERS OF ALL GENERATIONS TILL THE END OF TIME . "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word." 1. All believers have , therefore , an interest in Christ ' s prayer . 2. The word of the apostles—that is , not merely their narrative of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-21

Comprehensive intercession. Human selfishness, narrowness, and hopelessness may well be rebuked by the breadth and brightness of this prayer. The High Priest pleads for his people, and in so doing sweeps the horizon of time, sounds the depths of human need, and grasps the invisible aim of the universe, the yet unrealized purpose of God himself. I. THE EXTENSIVE RANGE OF CHRIST 'S INTERCESSION . At the very time when those nearest to him were about to be exposed to great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-23

Christian unity. Notice it— I. IN ITS IMPORT AND SCOPE . 1. Believers are to be in unity . Many and yet one, one and yet many. Many members, but one body; many bodies, but one Spirit; many believers , but one spiritual community. They are to be one with each other, with Christ, and with the Father. 2. Their union is to be universal . "Tidal they all may be one." There is to be no exception. It is not optional, but the universal rule of the society and law... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-26

(3) Prayer for the Church Catholic in all time . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:21

That they all may be one . My prayer is that the many may become one, form one living glorious unity;—every part of which spiritual organism, while living a separate and differentiated life, is yet a part of a whole. In the natural sphere, as the parts of a whole organism are mere and more developed, and increasingly resemble individualities in their separation, they are in the same proportion dependent on the whole for the life that is in them. Even in a highly organized community, as the... read more

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