John 15:15–17 (WEL) “From now on, I do not call you servants because the servant does not know what his lord is doing. I have called you friends because everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 16 “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and delegated you that you should go and bring forth much fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you will ask from the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 “I am commanding these things, so that you love one another.”
V15 “From now on, I do not call you servants because the servant does not know what his lord is doing. I have called you friends because everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.”
Concerning servants and slaves in the Bible via ISBE:
“δοῦλος, doúlos): A very common word with a variety of meanings, all implying a greater or less degree of inferiority and want of freedom: (1) The most frequent usage is as the equivalent of “slave” (which see), with its various shades in position (Genesis 9:25; Genesis 24:9; Exodus 21:5; Matthew 10:24; Luke 17:7, and often); but also a hired workman where “hired servant” translates Hebrew and Greek expressions which differ from the above. (2) An attendant in the service of someone, as Joshua was the “servant” ( the Revised Version (British and American) “minister”) of Moses (Numbers 11:28). (3) As a term of respectful self-depreciation referring to one’s self, “thy servant” or “your servant” is used in place of the personal pronoun of the first person: (a) in the presence of superiors (Genesis 19:2; Genesis 32:18, and often); (b) in addressing the Supreme Being (1 Samuel 3:9; Psalm 19:11; Psalm 27:9; Luke 2:29, and often). (4) Officials of every grade are called the “servants” of kings, princes, etc. (1 Samuel 29:3; 2 Samuel 16:1; 1 Kings 11:26; Proverbs 14:35, and often). (5) The position of a king in relation to his people (1 Kings 12:7). (6) One who is distinguished as obedient and faithful to God or Christ (Joshua 1:2; 2 Kings 8:19; Daniel 6:20; Colossians 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:24). (7) One who is enslaved by sin (John 8:34).
A slave has no rights or privileges. A servant has a few depending on whether they are hired servants or born into the household, etc. A bondservant is a willing and voluntary servant. Compare Exodus 21:2–6 and Deuteronomy 15:12–18.
Jesus is not a slave owner; He is a king that has many voluntary servants.
We are bondservants but also considered friends. This is the idea of the closeness of the master and bondservant.
V16 “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and delegated you that you should go and bring forth much fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you will ask from the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
This does not apply to salvation but to saved believers who are servants of Jesus Christ.
All Christians are servants of Jesus Christ and are expected to produce fruit. This is spiritual fruit from the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), converts after preaching the Gospel, and being a light to the truth of Jesus and His worldview, lifestyle, beliefs, rules, etc.
God supplies us with everything necessary to serve Him.
Principle: A good master, boss, supervisor will make sure that his employees will have all the necessary tools, etc., to be able to do the best job.
V17 “I am commanding these things, so that you love one another.
Jesus is the King of kings and gives this command. We are to serve Him rather than serve our earthly desires. Compare Matthew 6:33, 2 Corinthians 8:11, 1 Corinthians 4:2.
Consider this example from Haggai 1:1–15 which demonstrates serving earthly desires: (Illustrated Bible Survey) “The people believed they were too poor and that it was not time to rebuild the temple, but Haggai countered that they were in poverty because of their failure to rebuild it. In their misplaced priorities, the people had devoted themselves to building their own homes rather than the Lord’s house.”
We learn:
- About servants.
- About priorities.
- About bearing spiritual fruit dedicated to God.
Questions:
- Are you a bondservant of Jesus?
- How much spiritual fruit are you bearing?