---

In this verse Christ repeats the argument used in ver. 14. This repetition is not idle. The reason may be conceived either with respect to the disciples, for whom He prayed, and so it is to inculcate their duty; or with respect to God, the Person to whom He prayed, and so He urgeth their danger.

I. REPETITIONS OF THE SAME POINT ARE SOMETIMES NECESSARY (Philippians 3:1).

1. They may be tedious to nature —

(1) Out of an itch of novelty. Most men love truth while it is new and fresh; there is a satiety that groweth by acquaintedness; the Israelites grew weary of manna, though angels' food.

(2) Out of the impatience of guilt; frequency of reproof and admonition is like the rubbing of a sore, grievous to a galled conscience (John 21:17).

2. But it is profitable to grace.

(1) To cure weakness.

(a) Our knowledge is little. Narrow-mouthed vessels take in liquor by drops, so do we Divine truths, and therefore you have need to hear the same things often, that your understandings may grow familiar with them (Isaiah 28:10).

(b) Our attention is small. We do consider it when we understand it. Study findeth out a truth, meditation improveth it.

(c) Our memories are weak. A man needeth no remembrancer to put him in mind of worldly gain, and to revenge injuries; but as to good things, our memories are as a bag with holes, or as a grate that retaineth the mud, and lets the running water go (Hebrews 2:1).

(d) Our wills are slow and averse (2 Peter 1:12, 13; 1 John 2:21).

(2) To help duties.

(a) Meditation. The mind works freely upon such objects to which it is accustomed; in things rare and seldom heard of there is more need of study than meditation, to search them out.

(b) Application. We hear to do and practise, not only to know. We do not hear to store the head with notions, but that the life and heart might be bettered.

II. THE REASONS OF THIS REPETITION.

1. As regards their constitution and temper of mind. Christ repeats it again; and so learn that we need to be cautioned often and often against the world.

(1) Because of our proneness to it. The love of the world is natural to us.

(a) It is a part of original sin. It is hard for any to say they are not tempted to covetousness; it is their nature.

(b) We are daily conversant about the things of the world; our affections receive taint from the objects with which we usually converse.

(c) It is of a present enjoyment; we have the world in hand and heaven in hope, and think heaven a fancy and the world substance.

(d) It is a sin applauded by men (Psalm 10:3).

(e) It is a cloaked sin. It is hard to discover it and find it out, there are so many evasions of necessity and provision. It is a great part of religion to "keep ourselves unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

(2) Because of the heinousness and danger of it. It is called —

(a)  Adultery (James 4:4).

(b)  Idolatry (Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5).

(c)  Enmity with God (James 4:4).

(3) Because of the unsuitableness of it to the Divine nature.

(a)  To the new nature (1 John 5:4).

(b)  To our hopes. God has provided heaven to draw us off from the world.

(c)  To the aim of Christ (Hebrews 11:16).

(4) Let us then beware the more of worldliness.

(a) Consider our condition — "strangers and pilgrims."(b) We are called to better things (1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12). It is not for princes to embrace the dunghill.

(c) Take the Apostle's argument (1 Timothy 6:7). A man's wealth does not follow him, but his works do. In our birth we are contented with a little cradle, at death with a little grave.

(d) Consider how hard it is to have Christ and heaven and the world (Matthew 16:26).

(e) Thou art as thy love is. If thou lovest this world thou art worldly; if thou lovest God thou art godly. Take a glass, put it to,yards heaven, there you shall see the figure of heaven; put it towards the earth, and you see the figure of the earth, trees, meadows, fruits: thou receivest a figure from the objects to which thou appliest thy heart, earthly things or heavenly.

(5) But you will say, Is it a fault to enjoy the world? No; but to have a worldly spirit. Be not of a worldly spirit —

(a) When thou wantest the world. Be not over-careful; use the means God hath ordained, trust God with the issue and event of all (Luke 12:22).

(b) When thou hast the world. A godly man may be a rich man; but do not trust in riches, &c., for they are vain; nor delight in them, for they are snares; nor be proud of them, they do not make us better; we do not value a horse by the trappings, but by his spirit and courage.

(c) Be not over-sorrowful when thou losest them.

2. As regards the outward condition of the disciples: "They are not of the world, i.e., not respected by it, left out of the world's tale and count.

(1) It is a hard thing to digest the world's neglect and disrespect. We had need be urged again and again; because every one would be somebody in the world.

(a) Let them alone; look after better things (Psalm 17:14).

(b) Remember by whose providence it falleth out. Many times God raises bad men to high places, not because they deserve it, but because the age deserves no better.

(c) If you are favoured by God, why should you trouble yourselves about the world's respects? Thou hast the testimony of God's Spirit, and many now in hell have had much of the world's respects. Their disrespect cannot hurt thee; It may profit thee.

(2) An excellent means to digest the world's neglect is to consider the example of Christ.

(a) It is our duty. In His example we have a taste of His Spirit: "I am not of the world," saith Christ; and we should "imitate Christ as dear children" (Ephesians 5:1).

3. It will be your comfort. It is a sweet comfort in all conditions to remember the similitude of condition between Christ and us (Colossians 1:24).

4. It will be for our profit. First suffer, then enter into glory; winter is before the spring (Romans 8:17).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

WEB: They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.