If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.
The servant is not greater than the Lord. You cannot expect better usage from men than Christ received; they persecuted Him with words and deeds, and they will do the same to you in like manner. Their spiteful observation of His words, twisted to harm Him, will be matched by their malicious scrutiny of yours.
AI summary
Hatred marks the devil's kingdom as love marks Christ's. The world, those devoted to this world and its god, whether Jew or Gentile, forms one body against Him. But mark the difference: God's people, taught to hate the sins of sinners, still love their persons and do them good. A spiteful, malicious spirit belongs to the world, not to Christ.
AI summary
Commenting on John 15:18-25
The Gospel stirs the world to instant rage, so godly teachers cannot escape its hatred. Christ tells them this beforehand not to shock them when battle comes, and He confirms it by His own example: the world hated Him, so why should His representatives expect better treatment from an unchanging world?
AI summary