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I. FOR WHOM IT IS DESIRED. 1, Not for men as men, citizens, subjects, persons allied in trade, politics, &c.

2. But for men as believers (ver. 20). Christ takes in the grand total, a temple in which each of these shall find a place and bear a part. Cf. Paul's vision of a unified Church (Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:21), and Peter's picture of a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4, 5).

II. IN WHAT IT CONSISTS. Generally in a oneness resembling that between the Father and the Son (vers. 21,22), and particularly in a oneness —

1. Of life or community of nature (John 5:26; John 10:30; cf. 1 Corinthians 41:13; Ephesians 4:4-6).

2. Of love, or community of affection (John 3:35; John 5:20; John 14:31; cf. 13:34; 15:12, 17).

3. Of faith or community of sentiment. As the words of the Son were the Father's, so the union of the saints should reveal itself in steadfast adherence to the Father's word given by Christ.

4. Of action or community of labour. As the Son can do nothing but what He seeth the Father do (John 5:19), and the Father in Him doeth the works (John 14:10), so should Christians harmoniously co-operate (Philippians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 1:24; 3 John 1:8; Hebrews 10:24).

III. BY WHAT MEANS IT MAY BE REALIZED? By believers doing three things.

1. Remaining in union with the Father and the Son (ver. 21).

2. Participating in the glory Christ has received from the Father (ver. 22).

3. Pressing forward towards moral perfection (ver. 23).

IV. TO WHAT RESULT IT SHOULD LEAD. It should awaken in the world —

1. Faith in the Divine mission of Jesus (ver. 21),

2. Knowledge that the Divine mission of Jesus was a fact (ver. 23). Lessons:(1) The mission assigned to the Church — that of gathering a people out of the world and unto Christ by the preaching of the Word.

(2) The aim Christ has in thus collecting a people from the world, that they all may be perfected in one body in Him.

(3) The certainty that this aim will be realized, since Christ has both empowered His Church to do the work, and prayed for its successful execution.

(4) The obstruction offered to the realization of this aim by the disunited condition and imperfect character of the Church.

(5) The means of hastening the world's conversion to Christ, the Church striving to attain the complete sanctification and unity.

(6) The destiny awaiting the world when the Church shall have reached its proper manhood, that of being brought to a saving knowledge of the truth.

(T. Whitelaw, D. D.)

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KJV: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

WEB: Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word,