Charles Ellicott Commentary John 15:9

"Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love." — John 15:9 (ASV)

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.—Better, As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. He had passed from the thought of their discipleship to the foundation of their union with Him and with God. It was in the eternal love of the Father, ever going forth to the Son, and from the Son ever going forth to all who would receive it. The Father’s love and presence was ever with the Son, because the Son ever did those things which were pleasing to Him. (Compare to the note on John 8:31.) The love of the Son is ever present wherever a willing heart of an obedient disciple is open to its power.

Continue you in my love.—Better, abide you in My love. The word “continue” misses the connection with the context. By “My love” is meant, not “love to Me in your hearts,” but, “My love towards you.” The one produces the other. We love Him because He has first loved us; but what is prominent in the thought here is His love to the disciples, which He has just compared to the Father’s love to Himself.