At the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles. He just said they must remain in his care.
John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
John 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
When you take care of these commands of mine, you will remain in this care of mine even as I myself of the Father. Even as I have taken care of these commands and I remain of him in this care.
We need to work harder at taking care of Jesus's commands.
The verse uses a play on words between the words translated as "keep" and "love." The word translated as "keep" means "take care of." The word "love" means "care for." Both words are about taking responsiblity for something, not simply obeying or feeling affection. The word translated as "love" hear is the noun that means "care," "caring," and similar ideas of responsibility. Another verb, also translated as "love" means enjoying the pleasure of someone's company.
Another problem with Biblical translation is that translators consistently ignore his changes of phrasing. They want to simplify the text. Jesus repeats phrases a lot, but when he changes a phrase it isn't an accident. It means something that we shouldn't ignore. Here, he says "these commands of mine, you take care of." The "of mine" clearly modifies "these commands."Then he changes it the phrase to: "I myself of the father, these commands I take care of." The "of the Father" clearly modifies the subject pronoun, "I." He does this again at the end of each sentence. He says "you remain in this care of mine." The "of mine" modifies "love" or "care." Then, at the end, the punchline, he changes it to "I remain of him in this care." The "of him" modifies the verb, "remain" and is outside of the prepositional phrase.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "love" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "my" should be something more like "the."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "his" doesn't appear here but before the pronoun, after "abide."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "love" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "love" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "my" should be something more like "the."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "his" doesn't appear here but before the pronoun, after "abide."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "love" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.
If -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
keep - The word translated as "keep" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
commandments, -- The word translated as "commandments" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
abide - -- The word translated as "abide" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." This word is usually translated as "abide" in the KJV and "continue" in other Biblical translations. Though translated as "abide," it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
love; -- (CW) The noun translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "caring of spouses" "caring of God" and "charity" in the sense of giving to the poor. In the Gospels, it is usually translated as "love" or "beloved." The "love" is confusing because two different words are translated as "love," This word implies a sense of responsibility. The other word means enjoying one another. Translating this word as "caring" or "compassion" often works best. See this article on love for more information.
even as -- "Even as" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
kept - The word translated as "keep" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for."
my -- (WW) The word translated as "my" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father's -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father. The possessive comes from the words genitive form.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
commandments, -- The word translated as "commandments" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
abide -- The word translated as "abide" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." This word is usually translated as "abide" in the KJV and "continue" in other Biblical translations. Though translated as "abide," it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
his -- (WP) The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his." This word comes before the preposition and doesn't modify "love."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
love. -- (CW) The noun translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "caring of spouses" "caring of God" and "charity" in the sense of giving to the poor. In the Gospels, it is usually translated as "love" or "beloved." The "love" is confusing because two different words are translated as "love," This word implies a sense of responsibility. The other word means enjoying one another. Translating this word as "caring" or "compassion" often works best. See this article on love for more information.
If -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
keep - The word translated as "keep" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
commands, -- The word translated as "commands" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
remain - -- The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." This word is usually translated as "abide" in the KJV and "continue" in other Biblical translations. Though translated as "abide," it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
love; -- (CW) The noun translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "caring of spouses" "caring of God" and "charity" in the sense of giving to the poor. In the Gospels, it is usually translated as "love" or "beloved." The "love" is confusing because two different words are translated as "love," This word implies a sense of responsibility. The other word means enjoying one another. Translating this word as "caring" or "compassion" often works best. See this article on love for more information.
even as -- "Even as" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
kept - The word translated as "keep" means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe." Jesus uses this word seventeen times, almost always with the idea of "keeping" in commandments or words. "Keep" works well because it combines the idea of "guarding" and "observing," but "take care of" works even better when this verb is used with related ideas such as "cares for."
my -- (WW) The word translated as "my" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father's -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father. The possessive comes from the words genitive form.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
commands, -- The word translated as "commands" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
remain -- The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." This word is usually translated as "abide" in the KJV and "continue" in other Biblical translations. Though translated as "abide," it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
his -- (WP) The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his." This word comes before the preposition and doesn't modify "love."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
love. -- (CW) The noun translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "caring of spouses" "caring of God" and "charity" in the sense of giving to the poor. In the Gospels, it is usually translated as "love" or "beloved." The "love" is confusing because two different words are translated as "love," This word implies a sense of responsibility. The other word means enjoying one another. Translating this word as "caring" or "compassion" often works best. See this article on love for more information.
ἐὰν [162 verses](conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when."
τὰς [821 verses](article pl fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
ἐντολάς [23 verses](noun pl fem acc) "Commandments" is entole which means "injunction," "order," and "command."
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
τηρήσητε, [17 verses](verb 2nd pl aor subj act) "Keep" is tereo, which means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe."
μενεῖτε [27 verses](verb 2nd pl fut ind act) "Abide" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τῇ [821 verses](article pl fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀγάπῃ [12 verses] (noun sg fem dat) "Love" is agape, which means "the love of a husband and wife," "love of God by man," "brotherly love," "charity," and "alms." Jesus uses it to describe the people and things that we care about or should care about.
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "Even as" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "My" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατρὸς [191 verses](noun sg masc gen) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
τὰς [821 verses](article pl fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
ἐντολάς [23 verses](noun pl fem acc) "Commandments" is entole which means "injunction," "order," and "command."
τετήρηκα [17 verses](verb 1st sg perf ind act) "Have kept" is tereo, which means "to watch over," "to guard," "to take care of," "to give heed to," "to keep," "to test by observation or trial," and "to observe."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
μένω [27 verses](verb 1st sg pres/fut ind act) "Abide" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His" (adj sg masc acc) "Him" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." In the plural, "they," "them," and "their." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τῇ [821 verses](article pl fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
ἀγάπῃ [12 verses] (noun sg fem dat) "Love" is agape, which means "the love of a husband and wife," "love of God by man," "brotherly love," "charity," and "alms." Jesus uses it to describe the people and things that we care about or should care about.
The meaning of the verb translated as "keeps" as "take care of" plays agains the meaning of the verb translated as "love" as "care for."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "love" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "my" should be something more like "the."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "commandments" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "his" doesn't appear here but before the pronoun, after "abide."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "love" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.