John 17:3

“And this is life eternal, etc.] That is, the beginning and pledge of it, the way unto it, and means of it, and what will certainly issue in it: that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. The knowledge of God here spoken of, is not the knowledge of him by the light of nature, and works of creation; for a man may know God in this sense, and not know him in Christ, nor anything of Christ; yea, may know God and profess him in words, and in works deny him, as the Heathens did; nor is eternal life known hereby, nor connected with it: nor is it such a knowledge of God as is to be obtained by the law of Moses, in which God is represented as a righteous and…”

“this is--that. life eternal, that they might--may. know, &c.--This life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ (Job 22:21). thee, the only true God--the sole personal living God; in glorious contrast equally with heathen polytheism, philosophic naturalism, and mystic pantheism. and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent--This is the only place where our Lord gives Himself this compound name, afterwards so current in apostolic preaching and writing. Here the terms are used in their strict signification--"JESUS," because He "saves His people from their sins"; "CHRIST," as anointed with the measureless fulness of the Holy Ghost for…”

“This is life eternal - This is the source of eternal life; or it is in this manner that it is to be obtained. The knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ is itself a source of unspeakable and eternal joy. Compare John 11:25; John 6:63; John 12:50. Might know thee - The word “know” here, as in other places, expresses more than a mere speculative acquaintance with the character and perfections of God. “It includes all the impressions on the mind and life which a just view of God and of the Saviour is fitted to produce.” It includes, of course, love, reverence, obedience, honor, gratitude, supreme affection. “To know God as he is” is to know and regard him as a lawgiver, a sovereign, a…”

“To know - By loving, holy faith, thee the only true God - The only cause and end of all things; not excluding the Son and the Holy Ghost, no more than the Father is excluded from being Lord, Co1 8:6; but the false gods of the heathens; and Jesus Christ - As their prophet, priest, and king: this is life eternal - It is both the way to, and the essence of, everlasting happiness. John 17:4”

“17:3 to know you: The Hebrew idea of knowing encompassed experience and intimacy, which for Christians means love for God and obedience to him. • sent to earth: Jesus originated in heaven and was returning there (17:5), so he exercises divine authority as the agent of God.”

“this: Joh 17:25, Joh 8:19, Joh 8:54, Joh 8:55; Ch1 28:9; Psa 9:10; Isa 53:11; Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24, Jer 31:33, Jer 31:34; Hos 6:3; Co1 15:34; Co2 4:6; Th2 1:8; Heb 8:11, Heb 8:12; Jo1 4:6, Jo1 5:11, Jo1 5:20 the only: Joh 14:9, Joh 14:10; Ch2 15:3; Jer 10:10; Co1 8:4; Th1 1:9; Ti1 6:15, Ti1 6:16; Jo1 5:20 and Jesus: Joh 3:17, Joh 3:34, Joh 5:36, Joh 5:37, Joh 6:27-29, Joh 6:57, Joh 7:29, Joh 10:36, Joh 11:42, Joh 12:49, Joh 12:50, Joh 14:26; Isa 48:16, Isa 61:1; Mar 9:37; Luk 9:48; Jo1 4:14, Jo1 4:15, Jo1 5:11, Jo1 5:12 John 17:4”