9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love . 10 " If you keep My commandments , you will abide in My love ; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love . 11 " These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full . 12 "This is My commandment , that you love one another , just as I have loved you. 13 " Greater love has no one than this , that one lay down his life for his friends . 14 "You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 "No 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. 16 " You 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 e e you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 "This I command you, that you love one another .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 15:9-17
Commentary on John 15:9-17
(Read John 15:9-17)
Those whom God loves as a Father, may despise the hatred of all the world. As the Father loved Christ, who was most worthy, so he loved his disciples, who were unworthy. All that love the Saviour should continue in their love to him, and take all occasions to show it. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ's love is a continual feast. They are to show their love to him by keeping his commandments. If the same power that first shed abroad the love of Christ's in our hearts, did not keep us in that love, we should not long abide in it. Christ's love to us should direct us to love each other. He speaks as about to give many things in charge, yet names this only; it includes many duties.