What does "they are not of the world" mean in John 17:16? “They Are Not of the World” (John 17:16) Key Verse John 17:16 — “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” --- Immediate Context within the High-Priestly Prayer Jesus’ words in John 17 are spoken on the night before the crucifixion. Verses 6–19 focus on the Eleven (and by extension every believer). In v. 15 He prays, “I ask not that You would take them out of the world, but that You would keep them from the evil one.” Verse 16 then grounds that request: because their true sphere of identity is no longer “the world,” they require divine protection and sanctification rather than physical removal. --- Original-Language Analysis • “They are not” — οὐκ εἰσίν (ouk eisin): emphatic negation; utterly excluded. • “of the world” — ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου (ek tou kosmou): “out of, originating from” the κόσμος. The preposition ἐκ stresses source, not merely location. • “World” — κόσμος (kosmos): in John, frequently the organized system of humanity in rebellion against God (cf. 1 John 2:15–17). It can mean the created order (John 1:10); here it denotes the fallen moral order under Satan’s sway (John 12:31; 14:30). --- Biblical-Theological Development of “World” • Pre-Fall creation: God calls the kosmos “very good” (Genesis 1:31), showing the physical realm is not intrinsically evil. • Post-Fall: humanity aligns with the serpent, forging a world-system hostile to God (Genesis 3; James 4:4). • Redemptive solution: the Son enters this hostile realm (John 1:14) to rescue people “out of the world” (John 15:19). --- Union with Christ as the Basis for Non-Worldly Identity Believers are “not of the world” precisely “just as” Jesus is not, highlighting union with Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:3). Regeneration transfers citizenship “from the domain of darkness” to “the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). Adoption, indwelling Spirit, and positional sanctification mark the believer as belonging to a new realm. --- Old Testament Foreshadowing • Israel was called to be “a people set apart” (Exodus 19:5–6), dwelling physically among the nations yet spiritually distinct. • Daniel in Babylon exemplifies living in a pagan empire without defilement (Daniel 1 & 6). • The exile motif culminates in Christians, “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11), awaiting the consummated Kingdom. --- Parallel New Testament Passages • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world.” • Galatians 6:14 — “Through the cross the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” • Philippians 3:20 — “Our citizenship is in heaven.” These reinforce that “not of the world” refers to moral-spiritual separation, not geographical removal or monastic withdrawal. --- Practical and Ethical Outworkings a. Holiness: Believers pursue sanctification (John 17:17) by obedience to revealed truth. b. Mission: “As You sent Me… I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18). The Church is simultaneously distinct and deployed. c. Discernment: Values, entertainment, and ideologies are weighed against Scripture (1 John 4:1). d. Suffering: Alien status explains persecution (John 15:18–20; 1 Peter 4:4). --- Relationship to the Physical Creation “Not of the world” does not endorse Gnostic contempt for matter. Creation remains good (1 Timothy 4:4). The issue is allegiance, not location. Stewardship of the earth, appreciation of beauty, and engagement in culture are legitimate when subordinated to God’s glory. --- Eschatological Horizon The believer’s separation anticipates the consummation when the “kosmos” opposed to God is judged (Revelation 20:11–15) and a new heaven and new earth emerge (Revelation 21:1). Present alienation will give way to visible union with the reigning Christ. --- Summary Definition “To be not of the world” in John 17:16 means that, through union with Christ, believers no longer derive their identity, values, or ultimate loyalty from the rebellious world-system but from God Himself; while still physically present among earth’s peoples, they live under a different sovereignty, pursue holiness, and engage the world as ambassadors of the Gospel until Christ’s return. |
    |