John 15:18-21
If the world hateth you ( ε ο κοσμος υμας μισε ). Condition of the first class. As it certainly does.Ye know ( γινωσκετε ). Present active second person plural indicative of γινωσκω or present active imperative (know), same form.
Hath hated ( μεμισηκεν ). Perfect active indicative, "has hated and still hates."
Before it hateth you ( πρωτον υμων ). Ablative case υμων after the superlative πρωτον as with πρωτος μου in 1:15.
The world would love its own ( ο κοσμος αν το ιδιον εφιλε ). Conclusion of second-class condition (determined as unfulfilled), regular idiom with αν and imperfect indicative in present time.
But because ye are not of the world ( οτ δε εκ του κοσμου ουκ εστε ). Definite and specific reason for the world's hatred of real Christians whose very existence is a reproach to the sinful world. Cf. 7:7; 17:14; 1Jo 3:13. Does the world hate us? If not, why not? Has the world become more Christian or Christians more worldly?
Remember ( μνημονευετε ). Present active imperative of μνημονευω, old verb from μνημων, in John again in 16:4, 21. See 13:16 for this word.
If they persecuted me ( ε εμε εδιωξαν ). Condition of first class. They certainly did persecute (first aorist active of διωκω, to chase like a wild beast like the Latin persequor, our "persecute") Jesus (5:16). They will persecute those like Jesus. Cf. 16:33; Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; 1Co 4:12; 2Co 4:9; Ga 4:29; 2Ti 3:12 for proof that this prophecy came true. But the alternative is true and is stated by Jesus with a like condition of the first class, "if they kept my word" ( ε τον λογον μου ετηρησαν ). The world does praise the word of Jesus, but dreads to follow it.
Unto you ( εις υμας ). Like the dative υμιν (Textus Receptus) as in the papyri and modern Greek (Robertson, Grammar, p. 594).
For my name's sake ( δια το ονομα μου ). See verse 20. See this same warning and language in Mt 10:22; Mr 13:13; Mt 24:9; Lu 21:17). There is little difference in meaning from ενεκεν μου (Mr 13:9; Lu 21:12). Loyalty to the name of Christ will bring persecution as they will soon know (Ac 5:41; Php 1:29; 1Pe 4:14). About the world's ignorance of God see Lu 23:34; Ac 3:17; Joh 16:3.
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