What can we learn from Jesus use of the term “world” in this prayer and especially in verses 13-19? 

In Greek philosophy the Greek word cosmos which is used here in John 17 is a basic word for the world order.   However it can have several connotations in the New Testament, especially in the writings of John.

Jesus’ use of the term “world”
Meanings of the term “world”	Example verses	Comments
The physical universe	(John 1:3) possibly 17:5	More than just the earth
This physical earth as opposed to heaven.	John 17:15,24 Probably 17:11	Location is the focus
Humanity, the world of humankind	(John 3:16) John 17:21,23	No connotation of good or evil – just a reference to humanity
The world order of humankind with emphasis upon its fallen state and separateness form Christians. Being under the influence of the evil one.	John 17:14; 18	Definite connection with the fallenness of human nature and its results

(see Dictionary of New Testament Theology Vol. 1 pp. 524-526)

In verse 14, how does Jesus describe the antagonism between us and the world?  What does he imply in these descriptions?

It is important to see that in Jesus’ prayer, the world (definition 4) is not a friend to grace.  The prayer only makes sense if we understand this.   It is this antagonism between the world under the influence of the enemy and the purposes of God in our lives that occasions Jesus sincere prayer for his disciples.   The world is what seduces them to be disunited, unsanctified, and in need of spiritual protection.    This is why Jesus describes the relationship between the world and his people as one of hatred and enmity.  It is also why he describes them as “not of the world,” that is, their spiritual life is now focused on and springing from heaven-not the spiritual forces of this realm.  Paul says, “Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

(See Rainsford p. 254)

What does Jesus mean by his request, “Sanctify them?”  How does verse 19 help us to focus Jesus’ meaning?

Chapters 28, 30, 31 in Rainsford are excellent essays on sanctification. He reminds us that the basic meaning of the word sanctify is to set apart for God.  In this sense God set apart the seventh day. He also told the people of the Old Testament times that every firstborn was holy to the Lord. So if something or someone is sanctified, it is set apart for the use of God alone.  The second and the derivative meaning of sanctify is to cleanse, purify and make holy. It is easy to see how these two are related.   If something is set apart for God’s use, it must be fit for that use. To be so, it must be clean, pure and holy.   

Verse 19 helps us to understand which meaning Jesus is using because he speaks of his own sanctification as the reference for his request for us.   Because he was sinless, he did not need the second kind of sanctification.   However he is speaking of his setting apart himself completely for the task that his heavenly Father had given him including his upcoming sacrificial death.  He was completely dedicating himself to his great work for our sake.   So we can conclude that when he is praying for us to be sanctified in the same sentence, he is praying for us also to be completely set apart for God’s service.

Jesus knew that God’s great deposit of his Holy Word with Jesus disciples would come to naught if the disciples were not dedicated to the tasks that Jesus gave them.  He knew that unless they were fully devoted followers, the enemy would easily distract them from the heavenward path.  Such distraction would have disastrous results for ensuing generations.  This is indeed what we are seeing in our own country as people are distracted by the busyness of life, the multitude of activity choices, and the temptations of the enemy.   Because they fail to make following Christ their highest priority, the next generation does not understand its importance and drifts farther away, attending church less and less, understanding and reading the Bible less and less, and reflecting biblical values in their own life choices less and less.   

(See Rainsford p.  330)

 

Insight question: why is the word “truly” there?  (John 17:19  NIV)

The Greek expression is “in truth.”  It is almost the same expression as in verse 17 except that the definite article is missing.   So the NIV has chosen to translate the meaning in parallel with passages such as John 4:23, 24 and 1 John 3:18 rather than as a repetition of the meaning of verse 17.    So what does the word “truly” mean?    Our discussion opened two possibilities.

1. 1.      One is that Jesus was contrasting the kind of lasting sanctification that he desired for his followers with the kind of transitory sanctification found in Temple ceremonies.   The sacrifices of the Old Testament had to be repeated over and over. Jesus thank the occasion of himself would make possible a sanctification of our lives — both a setting apart and purification — that was way more effective and lasting than the Old Testament sacrifices (Hebrews 9:11-14).
2. 2.      The second possibility is that he is desiring for them a kind of sanctification that greatly exceeds the external and completely faults setting apart demonstrated by the contemporary holy men — the Pharisees.   He had already warned them that unless they are righteousness speaks seeded that of the Pharisees they would never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20).

In what way does sanctification happen “by the truth?”

How do we come to faith? – Through the word of God (Rom. 10:17; John 15:3) How do we hear of the truth of heaven? — Through the word of God (Colossians 1:5) what is one key thing that motivates us and helps us to correct our lives and live as God wants us to?   –It is the truth taught in God’s word (2 Corinthians 7:1; Psalms 119:11; 1 Peter 1:22)

Titus 2:11-14 expressed this truth.  Though it does not use the key words– truth, Word, or sanctify—it is summarizing the relationship between them. 

 

What is implied about himself and his earthly life when Jesus says, “You sent me into the world?”

1. He pre-existed 2. He is not from this world. 3. He has been expressly commissioned by his heavenly Father 4. He was sent to us for a purpose

What do we learn when he relates his having been sent to our being sent by him (v. 18)?

§  Note that there are three parallels in this section of the prayer between Jesus and his disciples.

I am not of the world — they are not of the world.  V. 14

You sent to me into the world — I have sent them into the world.  V. 18

I sanctify myself — I pray that they may be truly sanctified.  V. 19

§  We also have a purpose.

It is the same purpose for which his father sent him and which he has now passed on to us (John 20:21).

What is the relationship between Jesus sanctifying himself and our sanctification (v. 19)?

 

Jesus strongly connects his own sanctification with ours.  “The words evidently imply that his own sanctification was to be the source, ground, reason, and measure (p. 335)” of our sanctification.   Consider the following verses Hebrews 10:10; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 13:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21.   “From all these Scriptures it is divinely evident that our sanctification is the fruit and result of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (p. 343)   The Holy Spirit works in us to make effective what Jesus’ sacrifice has made possible.  The Holy Spirit “supplies us with no ground of confidence apart from Christ, sets up no standard for the soul to rest in, or find comfort from, as a rival to Him. The mission of the Comforter is not to supply an independent, additional, or even a concurrent ground of peace and confidence, but simply to discover to us and give us grace to avail ourselves of the discovery, of the boundless salvation laid up for us in Christ.”  (Rainsford P. 344)