John 15:19

KJV

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1487} ye were {G2258} of {G1537} the world {G2889}, the world {G2889} would {G302} love {G5368} his own {G2398}: but {G1161} because {G3754} ye are {G2075} not {G3756} of {G1537} the world {G2889}, but {G235} I {G1473} have chosen {G1586} you {G5209} out of {G1537} the world {G2889}, therefore {G5124}{G1223} the world {G2889} hateth {G3404} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world — on the contrary, I have picked you out of the world — therefore the world hates you.

Berean Standard Bible

If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

American Standard Version

If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this pivotal verse from Jesus' Farewell Discourse, He articulates a profound truth regarding the distinct identity and experience of His followers. He explains that because His disciples are not inherently "of the world" – a term denoting the fallen human system alienated from God – but have been divinely chosen out of it by Him, they will inevitably face the world's animosity and hatred. This statement serves as both a warning and an assurance, clarifying the spiritual chasm between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world, and validating the persecution believers would endure as a mark of their true allegiance to Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' extended Farewell Discourse to His disciples, spanning [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Immediately preceding [John 15:19](/john/15-19 "John 15:19 - The World's Hatred"), Jesus has used the powerful metaphor of the true vine and branches in [John 15:1-11](/john/15-1-11 "John 15:1-11 - Jesus the True Vine"), emphasizing the necessity of abiding in Him to bear fruit. He then issues the "new commandment" to love one another as He has loved them in [John 15:12-17](/john/15-12-17 "John 15:12-17 - The Command to Love"). The transition to the world's hatred in [John 15:18-25](/john/15-18-25 "John 15:18-25 - The World's Hatred") is logical: if disciples bear fruit and love as Christ did, they will naturally encounter the same opposition Christ faced, because their very nature and mission are antithetical to the world's values. This verse thus prepares them for the reality that their divine election and Christ-like conduct will not lead to worldly acclaim but to antagonism.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' discourse takes place in Jerusalem during the Passover week, just hours before His arrest and crucifixion. The disciples, being Jewish, lived in a society under Roman occupation, navigating complex religious and political tensions. While they were accustomed to Jewish sectarianism, Jesus' teachings were radical, challenging not only Roman authority but also the established religious traditions and societal norms of their own people. The concept of "the world" (κόσμος, _kosmos_) in this context refers not merely to the physical earth or its inhabitants, but to the human system organized apart from God, characterized by sin, rebellion, and values opposed to God's kingdom. This "world" includes both the pagan Roman culture and the religious establishment of Judaism that would ultimately reject Jesus. For the disciples, being "chosen out of the world" meant a fundamental reorientation of their allegiance and identity, setting them on a collision course with the prevailing powers and popular opinions of their day.
* **Key Themes:** [John 15:19](/john/15-19 "John 15:19 - The World's Hatred") powerfully articulates several core themes central to John's Gospel and Christian theology. First, it highlights the **Antithesis Between Christ's Kingdom and the World's System**, establishing an irreconcilable conflict between the values and principles of God's reign and those of a fallen world. Second, it underscores the theme of **Divine Election and Sovereign Choice**, as Jesus explicitly states, "I have chosen you out of the world," emphasizing that their separation is not self-initiated but a result of God's gracious and purposeful calling. This echoes earlier statements about God drawing people to Christ, as seen in [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent him draws him"). Third, the verse introduces the theme of **Persecution as a Mark of Discipleship**, presenting the world's hatred not as an anomaly but as an expected consequence of belonging to Christ. This theme is further developed in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In the world you will have tribulation") and serves to prepare the disciples for future trials, assuring them that their suffering aligns with Christ's own experience, as He states in [John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - A servant is not greater than his master").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** (G2889) While _kosmos_ can refer to the physical universe or humanity, in this Johannine context, it signifies the fallen, human-centered system of values, beliefs, and institutions that stands in opposition to God and His kingdom. It represents humanity organized apart from God, dominated by sin and rebellion.
* **chosen (Greek, _eklégomai'_):** (G1586) This verb, meaning "to select" or "make choice," highlights the sovereign initiative of Jesus in calling His disciples. It emphasizes that their belonging to Him and their separation from the world is not a result of their own merit or decision alone, but a divine act of election, setting them apart for a specific purpose.
* **hateth (Greek, _miséō'_):** (G3404) This strong verb means "to detest" or "to persecute." It conveys a deep-seated animosity, not merely indifference or disagreement. The world's hatred for believers is presented as a direct, inevitable consequence of their being chosen out of and therefore no longer belonging to, the world's system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:"** This opening clause establishes a hypothetical condition, emphasizing the natural affinity that exists within the "world's" system. If the disciples shared the world's values, priorities, and spiritual allegiance, they would be embraced and affirmed by it. The world loves what is "its own," meaning that which conforms to its ungodly standards and serves its purposes. This highlights the principle that like attracts like in the spiritual realm.
* **"but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,"** This crucial antithesis reveals the reason for the world's animosity. The disciples' identity is fundamentally altered: they are no longer "of the world" in terms of their spiritual origin, allegiance, or values. This transformation is not self-generated but is the direct result of Christ's sovereign act of election ("I have chosen you out of the world"). This divine choice separates them from the world's dominion and places them under Christ's authority, making them distinct and alien to the world's system. The preposition "out of" (G1537, _ek_) emphasizes a decisive separation and extraction.
* **"therefore the world hateth you."** This concluding clause presents the inevitable consequence of the disciples' new identity and divine election. Because they are no longer "of" the world and have been chosen "out of" it, the world's natural response is hatred. This hatred is not arbitrary but a logical outcome of the spiritual conflict between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, God's kingdom and the world's rebellion. It is a sign of their true belonging to Christ, mirroring the world's hatred for Jesus Himself.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [John 15:19](/john/15-19 "John 15:19 - The World's Hatred") is **Antithesis**. Jesus sets up a stark contrast between two opposing states: being "of the world" versus being "not of the world" and "chosen out of the world." This creates a clear dichotomy, highlighting the fundamental incompatibility between the values and allegiances of Christ's followers and those of the fallen human system. The parallel structure of "the world would love his own" versus "the world hateth you" further emphasizes this opposition. There is also an element of **Irony** in that the very act of divine love (Christ choosing them) leads to worldly hatred, underscoring the upside-down nature of God's kingdom compared to human expectations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 15:19 is a profound theological statement on the nature of Christian identity and the inevitable conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. It teaches that true discipleship involves a radical separation from the world's values, not through physical withdrawal, but through a spiritual re-alignment rooted in divine election. The world's hatred, therefore, is not a sign of failure but a confirmation of authentic belonging to Christ. This passage underscores God's sovereign initiative in salvation, where believers are not merely reformed but are fundamentally re-positioned "out of" a hostile system "into" Christ's loving embrace, even if that means facing the world's animosity. It prepares believers to understand that their allegiance to Christ will naturally alienate them from a world that rejected Him first.

* [John 17:14](/john/17-14 "John 17:14 - Not of the World"): "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
* [1 John 4:5](/1_john/4-5 "1 John 4:5 - They are of the World"): "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them."
* [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Do Not Be Conformed to This World"): "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as both a sobering warning and a powerful source of assurance for believers across all generations. In a world that often prioritizes popularity, acceptance, and conformity, Jesus' words remind us that following Him faithfully will inevitably lead to friction with the prevailing culture. The "world" here represents any system, ideology, or set of values that operates apart from God, often actively opposing His truth and His people. When we live out Christ's love, uphold His truth, and refuse to compromise on biblical principles, we become alien to this world's system, and its natural response is often hostility. This understanding liberates us from the exhausting pursuit of worldly approval and encourages us to find our validation solely in Christ. The hatred we may experience is not a sign of our failure, but a testament to our true identity as those chosen by God and set apart for His purposes. It calls us to courageous faithfulness, knowing that our allegiance is to a higher kingdom, and that our suffering for Christ's sake aligns us with His own path.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I experience friction or opposition from "the world" because of my faith in Christ?**
* **How does understanding that I am "chosen out of the world" impact my sense of identity and belonging?**
* **Am I more concerned with gaining the world's approval or living faithfully to Christ, even if it means facing its hatred?**
* **How can I respond to worldly opposition with grace and truth, reflecting Christ's character even when persecuted?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "the world" in this verse, and why does it "hate" believers?**

Answer: In John's Gospel, "the world" (Greek: _kosmos_) often refers not to the physical earth or humanity in general, but to the fallen, rebellious human system that is organized apart from God and stands in opposition to His will and kingdom. It embodies values, desires, and principles that are contrary to God's truth and righteousness. The world "hates" believers because they are no longer "of" this system; they have been chosen "out of" it by Christ. Their new allegiance to Christ, their transformed values, and their commitment to God's truth expose the world's sin and challenge its authority. Just as the world hated Jesus because He was light exposing darkness ([John 7:7](/john/7-7 "John 7:7 - The World Hates Me")), it hates His followers for the same reason. Their very existence as Christ's chosen ones is a silent indictment of the world's spiritual rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 15:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. He is the quintessential "one chosen out of the world," set apart by the Father for a divine mission, and consequently, the primary object of the world's hatred. Jesus' entire earthly ministry was marked by the world's rejection and animosity, culminating in His crucifixion. He declared, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" ([John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - A servant is not greater than his master")), making His own experience the paradigm for His followers. The world's hatred for believers is therefore a participation in Christ's suffering, a sign that they truly belong to Him and are walking in His footsteps. Furthermore, Christ's act of choosing His disciples "out of the world" is a direct expression of His redemptive work. Through His death and resurrection, He conquered the "prince of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The ruler of this world will be cast out")) and delivered His people from its dominion, as foreshadowed in passages like [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness"). Thus, the world's hatred, while painful, paradoxically confirms the believer's liberation and new identity in Christ, who has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - I have overcome the world")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 4:4

¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 4:5

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

John 17:14

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:16

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 1:11

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.