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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:16

Verse 16 16.Verily, verily, I tell you. These are indeed proverbial sayings, which admit of a far more extensive application, but which ought to be accommodated to the case in hand. In my opinion, therefore, they are mistaken who suppose them to have a general acceptation, as if Christ were now exhorting his disciples to bear the cross; for it is more correct to say that he employed them to serve his purpose. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 13:17

Verse 17 17.If you know these things. He declares that they are happy, if they know and do these things; for knowledge is not entitled to be called true, unless it produce such an effect on believers as to lead them to conform themselves to their Head. On the contrary, it is a vain imagination, when we look upon Christ, and the things which belong to Christ, as separate from ourselves. We may infer from this that, until a man has learned to yield to his brethren, he does not know if Christ be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:1-38

A. The inner glorification of the Christ in the presence of those who received and believed on him . *** The Loges incarnate as life, light, love, and sacrifice, lavishing all his grace upon his own (Jn 13-17.). B. The outer glorification of the Christ in his Passion and resurrection . *** The fully manifested love laying down life that he might take it again, and lift these disciples into vital union with the risen life (Jn 18-21.). A. THE INNER GLORIFICATION OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:12-17

The Lord gives other practical instructions based on his own humble self-obliterating discharge of a duty which it was obvious that, in their desire to be great, they had one and all abstained from doing even for their Lord. Out of it he draws the great lesson of mutual love and brotherly regard. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:12-17

The explanation of the washing of the disciples feet. I. THE ARGUMENT BY WHICH OUR LORD ENFORCES THE LESSON OF HIS ACT . "Know ye what I have done unto you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." The titles the disciples gave to him have a decisive force. 1. As he is a Teacher, they were bound to learn in his school with all docility and meekness of wisdom . 2. As a Master, they were bound to give him subjection in all matters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:14-15

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet; ye ought also to wash one another's feet: for I have given £ you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you . καθώς , "as," "like as," was used by our Lord rather than ὅ , "that which." The ὑπόδειγμα £ shows that he had set before his disciples a parallel, an example, a symbolic type of the service they were to render to one another, and was not establishing a custom or exact ordinance. The washing of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:15

The supreme example. Imitation is a principle of human nature. It is natural, and therefore the means by which a great part of our knowledge and many of our habits are acquired. It is universal, prevailing in all ranks and conditions of society. It is powerful, molding character, and controlling and directing life. It is ultimate, not to be explained, but to be accepted upon its own authority. Upon this principle human life develops itself; upon this principle education for the most part... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:16

The v erily, verily reveals the solemnity with which our Lord touched the frequently quoted aphorism ( Matthew 10:24 ; Luke 6:40 ; and again John 15:20 ). The servant —the slave— is not greater than his lord ; you have already called me Lord, and so I am; neither is ( one that is sent ) an apostle greater than he that sent him on his great mission. Therefore if I, your Lord and Teacher, have set forth this principle of self-abnegating service, a fortiori should ye in love... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 13:17

If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them . Knowing and doing are often perilously divorced (cf. Matthew 7:21 , etc.; Luke 6:46 ; Luke 12:47 ; and James 1:25 ). The sublime principle by itself may be something, but if it be never put into practice, the last great beatitude is forfeited. Mere admiration of an ethical or a Christian principle degenerating into a heartless and fruitless ceremony is hardening to the heart and deadening to the conscience. The same truths had... read more

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