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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 15:18-25

Here Christ discourses concerning hatred, which is the character and genius of the devil's kingdom, as love is of the kingdom of Christ. Observe here, I. Who they are in whom this hatred is found?the world, the children of this world, as distinguished from the children of God; those who are in the interests of the god of this world, whose image they bear, and whose power they are subject to; all those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who would not come into the church of Christ, which he audibly... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 15:18-21

15:18-21 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have picked you out of the world. Remember the word which I spoke to you--the servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours. But they will do these things to you because of my name, because they do not know him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 15:18-21

It was not only that the government persecuted the Christians; the mob hated them. Why? It was because the mob believed certain slanderous things about the Christians. There is no doubt that the Jews were at least to some extent responsible for these slanders. It so happened that they had the ear of the government. To take but two examples, Nero's favourite actor Aliturus, and his harlot empress Poppaea, were both adherents of the Jewish faith. The Jews whispered their slanders to the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 15:18-21

Such were the causes of hatred in the early days. but it is still true that the world will hate the Christian. As we have already said, by the world John meant human society organizing itself without God. There is bound to be a cleavage between the man who regards God as the only reality in life and the man who regards God as totally irrelevant for life. In any event the world has certain characteristics, which are always part of the human situation. (i) The world suspects people who are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 15:19

If ye were of the world ,.... Belonged to the world, were of the same spirit and principles with it, and pursued the same practices: the world would love its own ; for every like loves its like; the men of the world love each other's persons, company, and conversation: but because ye are not of the world : once they were, being born into it, brought up in it, had their conversation among the men of it, were themselves men of carnal, worldly, principles and practices; but being called... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 15:19

Ye are not of the world - therefore, etc. - On this very account, because ye do not join in fellowship with those who know not God, therefore they hate you. How true is that saying: - "The laws of Christ condemn a vicious world, And goad it to revenge!" Gambold. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 15:19

Verse 19 19.If you were of the world. This is another consolation, that the reason why they are hated by the world is, that they have been separated from it. Now, this is their true happiness and glory, for in this manner they have been rescued from destruction. But I have chosen you out of the world. To choose means here to separate Now, if they were chosen out of the world, it follows that they were a part of the world, and that it is only by the mercy of God that they are distinguished from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:17-27

(b) The results of this union with Christ to the unbelieving world . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:17-27

The disciples and the world. Our Lord turns to a new thought—the relation of his disciples to the world. I. THE SCOPE OF ALL CHRIST 'S TEACHING IS TO DEVELOP LOVE . "These things I command you, that ye may love one another." 1. This love is to be the characteristic of the new kingdom , and thus the strong attraction of the gospel. 2. Yet , essentially noble as it is , it will challenge the hostility of a world out of all sympathy with Christ . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:18-21

The world's hatred. Our Lord enjoined that within the Church there should prevail love and brotherhood. But at the same time he foretold that from without Christians should meet with hatred and opposition, enmity and persecution. I. EVIDENCES OF THE WORLD 'S HATRED OF CHRISTIANS . 1. We are constrained by facts to rank with the world, in this respect, the adherents of the Jewish system. As his own countrymen were our Lord's opponents and in truth his real murderers,... read more

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