John 15:17-21 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

These things I command you, &c. Again I would remind you, that if you would continue thus to be the objects of these my Father's gracious regards, you must carefully practise your duty to each other, as well as to him; you must continue to love one another; and this you should the rather do, as you will be the mark of common hatred and persecution. Yet, if the world hate you You will have no reason to be offended or surprised at it; for ye know that it hated me Mild and benevolent as my conduct has always been; before it hated you Before it discharged its venom and malignity on you. If ye were of the world If your dispositions and actions were like those of the bulk of mankind; or if your doctrines and practices were conformable to its customs and maxims; the world would love its own No doubt you would meet with general approbation, and be much caressed; but because ye are not of the world Because your desires and designs, your spirit and conduct, are quite opposite to theirs, and I have chosen you out of the world Have called you not only to separate yourselves from, but to oppose its vices and follies, and even to be leaders in that holy and necessary opposition; therefore the world hateth you Notwithstanding that the cause in which you are engaged is most honourable, and your lives most useful and beneficent. And for the very same reason must the world in all ages hate those who are not of the world. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant, &c. To reconcile you to the persecutions you are to meet with, you ought always to bear in mind what I told you on this subject the first time I sent you out, (see Matthew 10:24,) that no servant can expect to be better treated than his master; and therefore, seeing they have persecuted me, they will naturally persecute you. If they have kept my saying Have conformed themselves to my doctrine; they will keep yours also Will be properly influenced by it, and will walk according to it; therefore, by the reception my doctrine meets with, you may judge how yours will be relished. But all these things will they do unto you All the opposition which they will show to your persons and ministry, will be exerted for my name's sake Because of the enmity which they have to me, and the cause in which I am engaged; because they know not him that sent me Because they are not acquainted with the nature and perfections of that God to whom they boast so near a relation, and who has sent me into the world to declare and establish a religion which shocks their prejudices, and is contrary to their carnal and worldly spirit. And in all ages and nations, they who know not God will, for this cause, hate and persecute those that do.