King James Version

What Does John 15:19 Mean?

John 15:19 in the King James Version says “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of... — study this verse from John chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 15:19 · KJV


Context

17

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own (εἰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ἦτε, ὁ κόσμος ἂν τὸ ἴδιον ἐφίλει/ei ek tou kosmou ēte, ho kosmos an to idion ephilei)—Jesus uses a contrary-to-fact condition, assuming the opposite is true: disciples are NOT of the world. The phrase of the world (ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου) indicates origin and essential nature, not mere physical location. Kosmos here represents humanity organized in rebellion against God (1 John 2:15-17).

The verb "would love" (ephilei) uses phileō, affectionate friendship love, not agapaō. The world embraces its own with natural affection—those who share its values, pursue its goals, speak its language. But because ye are not of the world (ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου οὐκ ἐστέ/hoti ek tou kosmou ouk este) establishes the opposite: believers possess different origin, nature, and citizenship.

But I have chosen you out of the world (ἀλλ' ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην ὑμᾶς ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου/all' egō exelexamēn hymas ek tou kosmou)—exelexamēn is aorist middle, emphasizing both completed action and personal agency: "I myself chose." The prefix ex means "out from"—believers are extracted from the world system. This is sovereign election unto salvation and separation.

Therefore the world hateth you (διὰ τοῦτο μισεῖ ὑμᾶς ὁ κόσμος/dia touto misei hymas ho kosmos)—the logical conclusion (dia touto/therefore) follows inevitably. Present tense misei (hates) indicates ongoing hostility, not occasional opposition. Being chosen out of the world creates permanent antagonism, as light exposes darkness (John 3:19-20).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke these words in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion, preparing disciples for persecution after His departure. Within hours, the world's hatred would manifest brutally: Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten, crucified. Within decades, disciples would face systematic persecution—stoning (Stephen), execution (James), exile (John), and martyrdom (tradition records most apostles died violent deaths).

First-century disciples confronted world-hatred from multiple sources: Jewish religious authorities excommunicated believers from synagogues (John 9:22, 12:42), Rome persecuted Christians as atheists and enemies of the state (refusing emperor worship), and pagan society ostracized them as antisocial (rejecting immoral entertainment, idolatrous commerce, and corrupt business practices).

The concept of being "chosen out" echoes God's election of Israel from among the nations (Deuteronomy 7:6-8), but now applied to the church—both Jew and Gentile united in Christ. Just as Israel's separation provoked hostility, so the church's different nature generates antagonism.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what specific ways does being "not of the world" create conflict with contemporary culture and values?
  2. How does understanding that Christ chose you "out of the world" reshape your expectations regarding acceptance and rejection?
  3. What is the difference between appropriate Christian distinctiveness and unnecessarily offensive behavior that provokes hostility?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
εἰ1 of 31

If

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

ἐκ2 of 31

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ3 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος4 of 31

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἦτε5 of 31

ye were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

6 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος7 of 31

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἂν8 of 31

would

G302

whatsoever

τὸ9 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἴδιον10 of 31

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

ἐφίλει·11 of 31

love

G5368

to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;

ὅτι12 of 31

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

δὲ13 of 31

but

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐκ14 of 31

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ15 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος16 of 31

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

οὐκ17 of 31

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐστέ18 of 31

ye are

G2075

ye are

ἀλλ'19 of 31

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐγὼ20 of 31

I

G1473

i, me

ἐξελεξάμην21 of 31

have chosen

G1586

to select

ὑμᾶς22 of 31

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐκ23 of 31

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ24 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος25 of 31

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

διὰ26 of 31
G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο27 of 31

therefore

G5124

that thing

μισεῖ28 of 31

hateth

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

ὑμᾶς29 of 31

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

30 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος31 of 31

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 15:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 15:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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