John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
The Greek word for friend that is used here is philos, and means: Someone dearly prized in a personal, intimate way, or someone held dear in a close bond of personal affection.
Could Jesus have been referring to all of humanity in the verse? Well, does all of humanity live in a close, personal, intimate way with Christ? Of coarse they don’t, the vast majority are actually haters of God. So, let’s dig into this a little deeper.
First, who is the audience? And what is the context? Jesus is speaking these words to His disciples, excluding Judas Iscariot. Any one with limited biblical knowledge knows that Judas Iscariot wasn’t truly saved. So, it needs to be pointed out that Jesus had already excused Judas in chapter 13:21-30, during the last supper, before he speaks these words to the 11 truly saved disciples.
Secondly, in the context of chapter 15, Jesus is instructing His disciples to follow in His footsteps. Just as He willingly laid down His life for His friends on the cross, so also are His chosen people to lay down their lives in serving other believers. Even to the point of death, if God so wills it.
Lastly, the opposite of friend is enemy, so, does the bible declare that God has enemies?
Psalm 92: 9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.
Psalm 139: 20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
Nahum 1: 2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
1 Corinthians 15: 25 For he (Jesus) must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
Philippians 3: 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
James 4: 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
These are but a few of the passages that declare that God does indeed has enemies. And truth be known, most people are enemies of God, because they have broken His Laws, and refuse to acknowledge and repent of their sins, and place saving faith in the Sole Savior Jesus Christ. Instead they rely on their works to save them.
Knowing these things, as we look back at John 15:13, it should become clear that Jesus laid His life down upon the cross for His friends, NOT His enemies or all of humanity. For if his sacrifice was made for His enemies, then no one would be in hell.
I know some will say, “But Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies, just as He does.” The problem is, when people inject this passage, they only quote half of the verse. So, let’s look at the whole thing. Matthew 5:43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. The words following enemies are AND PRAY, not and lay your life down for them. Any honest person would admit that it’s hard to sincerely pray for someone who has hurt you. Yet, Christ is telling us how we are to love our enemies. So again, this passage refers to prayer for an enemy, NOT the cross of Jesus Christ. Therefore, that argument would be mute and void.
When it’s all said and done, John 15:13 is another passage that teaches that Jesus actually saved those in whom He laid His life down for. Those He calls His friends, His chosen, and His elect.
By Daniel C. Rodgers