What is the definition of John 15:18? 🙋 🔍
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this incredibly powerful verse from John 15:18: “If the world hates you, then it has hated me before 💎you💎.”
Here's a simple explanation in layers:
1. The Core Idea:
This verse is about
vulnerability and the impact of negativity.
It’s saying that when people are hateful or unkind to us, it means they’ve likely disliked us 💎before💎 we even started interacting with them.
2. Let's unpack the parts:
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“If the world hates you…”
: This is a direct statement about the possibility of negativity. It acknowledges that someone might be feeling against you.
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“…then it has hated me before [it hated] you.”
: This is the crucial part. The phrase “before [it hated] you” is incredibly significant. It means that 💎we💎 are the target of this hate. It’s not just about the world being unhappy with us; it's that they have already held a negative view of us.
3. What does this mean practically?
This verse speaks to several important things:
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Our worth is not defined by others:
It reminds us that our value isn’t determined by how someone else feels about us. It's not about our reputation, their opinion, or their actions.
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We are the focus of negativity:
We are often the subject of criticism, judgment, and hostility. This verse acknowledges that we are a central point of concern for those who don’t like us.
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We need to be prepared for rejection:
It's a gentle but serious reminder that sometimes, we may face challenges or disapproval from others.
4. The Significance – A Larger Message
This verse is often interpreted as:
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Jesus’s own experience:
Many believe this was said by Jesus himself, anticipating the suffering and rejection he would face. He understood that his followers would be persecuted, and he knew they would be targeted with negativity before they even met them.
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Our responsibility to respond positively:
It encourages us to respond to negative treatment with love, patience, and forgiveness – because it means we’re part of a larger story of good versus evil.
In short, it’s a powerful reminder that negativity can have roots in the past, and our response to that negativity matters greatly.
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Do you want me to:
💎 Explain this verse further with examples?
💎 Discuss its connection to other Bible passages?
💎 Talk about how we can respond to someone who is being unkind?