Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 17:22-23

"And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we [are] one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me." — John 17:22-23 (ASV)

And the glory which you gave me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and them in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me.

This is a wonderful expression; where will you find anything like it! It is indeed marvellous that God should have loved his people even as he loved Christ his Son, yet that is what the Lord Jesus here says: You have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me.

That they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, and you have loved me.

What a glorious assurance is that! It amazes us to know that the Father has loved us even as he loved his Son.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Surely the passage seems to culminate here. These words rise like the peak of a mighty Alp almost out of our sight into the clear brightness of heaven – hast loved them as thou hast loved me.

Now, believer, you cannot fully comprehend this, but believe it – that as surely as the Father loves the Son, so in the same manner he also loves you – without beginning, without measure, without change, without end, Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me.

And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one;

Christ is the incarnation of God, and the Church should be the incarnation of Christ. Oh, when will this great prayer be answered?

And the glory which thou givest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; –

That is the real secret of the saints' unity: I in them, together with the everlasting union of Christ Jesus with the Father: and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; –

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, –

Do you understand this wonderful union? Jesus Christ in you: I in them, and then the Father in Christ: and thou in me, –