John Calvin Commentary John 15:12

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you." — John 15:12 (ASV)

This is my commandment. Since it is proper that we regulate our lives according to the commandment of Christ, it is necessary, first of all, that we should understand what it is that He wills or commands. He now therefore repeats what He had formerly said: that it is His will, above all things, that believers should cherish mutual love among themselves.

True, the love and reverence for God comes first in order, but as the true proof of it is love toward our neighbors, He emphasizes this point. Besides, as He formerly presented Himself as a model in maintaining the general doctrine, so He now presents Himself as a model in this particular instance, because He loved all His people, so that they might love each other.

As for the reason why He lays down no express rule in this passage about loving unbelievers, we have spoken of this in the previous chapter.