A Few Thoughts about John 14:15

 

John 14:15 ESV If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Judas has left Jesus and his fellow apostles. He has joined with satan and turned against the Lord Jesus.

Jesus brings His farewell message to His followers. This is recorded in John 13:31-John 16:33.

In John 13:31-16:33, the Lord Jesus uses the word love 19 times. 18 times it is the Greek word ἀγαπάω agapáō, which is the highest love. It is a choosing to love and loyalty. 1 time it is the Greek word φιλέω philéō, which means personal affection and personal attachment.

Jesus teaches them that if they really love Him, they will keep His commandments.

The Greek word for keep is τηρέω tēréō. It means to guard in the sense of

B1 Some thoughts

C1 Wuest Word Studies: Keep" is tēreō, "to keep by guarding, to guard by exercising watchful cafe." It speaks of guarding something which is in one’s possession.

C2 Examples:

D1 John 17:12 CSB While I was with them, I was protecting them by your name that you have given me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled. [Emphasis added. The word guarded is φυλάσσω phylássō, which means be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid].

D2 John 17:15 CSB I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

B2 In a sense, there is the idea of conforming our lives in body, soul, and spirit to do His commandments in love and loyalty for Him.

The Greek word for commandments is ἐντολή entolḗ. It means

B1 generally, a charge, injunction, order, command [Source is Greek Lexicon Of The New Testament, Abbott-Smith].

B2 From TDNTa

C1 entolḗ in the General Usage of the Greek and Hellenistic World. The meaning is “command,” “commission,” a. as the command of a king or official, b. as the instruction of a teacher, c. as a commission, and d. as authorization.

C2 Keeping Christ’s entolaí is a mark of love for Christ (Jn. 14:15, 21). If we love him, we both “have” and “keep” them. In view of the basis, the plural entolaí is not legalistic. The many commands are summed up in the one command of love, which comes to expression in the multiple spheres of the obedient life. In the light of Jn. 15:10 “task” or “commission” might also be embraced by entolḗ, but tereín tás entolás means “keeping the commandments,” not “fulfilling a commission.” Comparison of the disciples’ keeping of the commandments with the Son’s doing of the Father’s work shows that a personal relationship is involved, especially in view of the common abiding in love. [Source is TDNTa]

B3 Commandment is the verbal or written desire of an authority and backed by that authority. Law is the sum of verbal or written commands. Command is to one person or more depending on the context, while law is for all those under that authority. It is the set of commands.

Some thoughts

B1 Robertson: Continued love prevents disobedience.

B2 Adam Clarke: Do not be afflicted at the thought of my being separated from you: the most solid proof ye can give of your attachment to and affection for me is to keep my commandments. This I shall receive as a greater proof of your affection than your tears.

B3 One of the proofs that we are a believer is to conform, do, keep, observe the commandments and rules of the Lord Jesus. One of the purposes of 1 John is for us to examine our lives to see if we are in the faith. We cannot be sinless but can be blameless. If we sin, we confess and with God’s help do not sin again. We often do but we must ask forgiveness again. 1 John 5:1-3 NRSV Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

B4 This might seem impossible, but the Lord Jesus reveals something: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:1 ESV). [Emphasis added]. Jesus was the helper while ministering on earth. He now intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:23-25 ESV The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them). The Holy Spirit is our helper now. He encourages, reminds, gives strength to resist, protects, etc. Note, too, that He will be with us forever. God’s grace never ends. We need grace every moment of our life. See Hebrews 4:16, 2 Corinthians 12:9-12, James 4:6, and John 1:16.

John 14:15 ESV If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

B1 With God’s help our love will be seen in what we do.

B2 The standard of these doings is Jesus’s commands.

B3 We are loyal to God because of love, not force, bullying, gun, sword, fist, abuse, threats, etc.

B4 To John there is only one test of love and that is obedience. It was by his obedience that Jesus showed his love of God; and it is by our obedience that we must show our love of Jesus. C. K. Barrett says: "John never allowed love to devolve into a sentiment or emotion. Its expression is always moral and is revealed in obedience." We know all too well how there are those who protest their love in words but who, at the same time, bring pain and heartbreak to those whom they claim to love. There are children and young people who say that they love their parents, and who yet cause them grief and anxiety. There are husbands who say they love their wives and wives who say they love their husbands, and who yet, by their inconsiderateness and their irritability and their thoughtless unkindness bring pain the one to the other. To Jesus real love is not an easy thing. It is shown only in true obedience. [Source Barclay Daily Bible Study. Be cautious].

B5 Let us be joyful, be encouraging to each other, be helping each other, be faithful and steadfast until the end utilizing God’s good grace. Colossians 3:12 NLT Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

We grow by reading, studying, and living the Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:18 GNB But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.

We are to be a light to the world of God’s best ways for living. Ephesians 5:8-9 GNB You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, 9 for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Pray: Psalms 86:6 ESV Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings and help. Give us strength to live for you.