John 15:19

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

This verse from John 15 is part of Jesus' final discourse to His disciples before His crucifixion. He has just spoken about the importance of abiding in Him (the true vine) and commanded them to love one another as He has loved them. Here, He explains why they will face opposition from the world.

Context

Coming after the powerful imagery of the vine and branches (John 15:1-8) and the command to love (John 15:12-17), Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality that their relationship with Him will set them apart from the dominant culture and values of the world around them. He forewarns them that the same rejection He experienced will be directed towards them.

Key Themes

  • Separation from the World: The verse highlights a fundamental distinction between those who belong to Christ and those who belong to "the world."
  • Divine Election: Jesus states, "I have chosen you out of the world," emphasizing that their separation is not self-initiated but a result of God's sovereign choice and calling.
  • The World's Hatred: A direct consequence of being chosen out of the world is incurring the world's animosity and hatred. This is presented as an expected outcome, not an anomaly.
  • Identity in Christ: Believers' identity is rooted in being "not of the world" but belonging to Christ, which defines their relationship with the world.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "world" here is kosmos (κόσμος). While it can mean the physical universe, in this context, it refers to the fallen human system, organized apart from God, characterized by sin, rebellion, and values opposed to God's kingdom. Jesus' followers are called to be in the world but not of the world.

Reflection

This verse serves as both a warning and an assurance for believers. The warning is that living faithfully according to Christ's teachings will inevitably lead to friction with a world that rejects Him. The assurance is that this opposition is a sign that you truly belong to Christ and have been chosen by Him. Understanding this can help believers navigate misunderstanding, criticism, or even persecution, knowing that their identity is secure in Christ, not dependent on the world's approval. It encourages faithfulness even when it is unpopular.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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