John 15:16

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, etc.] Not but that they had made choice of him as their Lord and Master, Saviour and Redeemer; but not first, he was before hand with them; he chose them, before they chose him; so that his choice of them was entirely free, did not arise from any character, motive, or condition in them: the allusion is to a custom of the Jews, the reverse of which Christ acted; with whom it was usual for disciples to choose their own masters, and not masters their disciples: hence that advice of R. Joshuah ben Perachiah, said f620 to be the master of Jesus of Nazareth, “br Æl hç[ f621, “make”, provide, or chose “thyself a master”, and get thyself a companion.”…”

“Ye have not chosen me, but I . . . you--a wholesale memento after the lofty things He had just said about their mutual indwelling, and the unreservedness of the friendship they had been admitted to. ordained--appointed. you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit--that is, give yourselves to it. and that your fruit should remain--showing itself to be an imperishable and ever growing principle. (Compare Pro 4:18; Jo2 1:8). that whatsoever ye shall ask, &c.--(See on Joh 15:7).”

“Ye have not chosen me - The word here translated “chosen” is that from which is derived the word “elect,” and means the same thing. It is frequently thus translated, Mark 13:20; Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:31; Colossians 3:12. It refers here, doubtless, to his choosing or electing them to be apostles. He says that it was not because they had chosen him to be their teacher and guide, but because he had designated them to be his apostles. See John 6:70; also Matthew 4:18-22. He thus shows them that his love for them was pure and disinterested; that it commenced when they had no affection for him; that it was not a matter of obligation on his part, and that therefore it placed them…”

“Ye - My apostles, have not chosen me, but I have chosen you - As clearly appears from the sacred history: and appointed you, that ye may go and bear fruit - I have chosen and appointed you for this end, that ye may go and convert sinners: and that your fruit may remain - That the fruit of your labours may remain to the end of the world; yea, to eternity; that whatsoever ye shall ask - The consequence of your going and bearing fruit will be, that all your prayers will he heard. John 15:19”

“have not: Joh 15:19, Joh 6:70, Joh 13:18; Luk 6:13; Act 1:24, Act 9:15, Act 10:41, Act 22:14; Rom 9:11-16, Rom 9:21; Jo1 4:10, Jo1 4:19 ordained: Joh 20:21-23, Joh 21:15-17; Isa 49:1-3; Jer 1:5-7; Mat 28:18, Mat 28:19; Mar 16:15, Mar 16:16; Luk 24:47-49; Act 1:8; Rom 1:5, Rom 15:15, Rom 15:16; Co1 9:16-18; Gal 1:15; Eph 2:10; Col 1:23; Ti1 2:7; Ti2 1:11, Ti2 2:2; Tit 1:5 bring: Joh 15:8; Pro 11:30; Isa 27:6, Isa 55:10-13; Mic 5:7; Rom 1:13, Rom 15:16-19; Co1 3:6, Co1 3:7; Col 1:6; Jam 3:18 that your: Gen 18:18; Psa 71:18, Psa 78:4-6, Psa 145:4; Zac 1:4-6; Act 20:25-28; Rom 15:4; Co1 10:11; Ti2 3:15-17; Heb 11:4; Pe1 1:14-21, Pe1 3:2, Pe1 3:15 that whatsoever: Joh 15:7, Joh 14:13, Joh 14:14,…”