INTRODUCTION The theme of “love and friendship” is one of the topics that has been treated widely by various scholars such as theologians, philosophers, poets and novelists. This wide interest in the theme of love and friendship shows its importance for the human existence. In our postmodern world, love and friendship have taken on new meanings. The notion of sacrifice, which is an integral part of mutual love and friendship, seems to have been lost. The adage, “each one for himself and God for us all” seems to be the guiding principle of most love and friendship relationships. This new way of practicing love and friendship, have not only infiltrated our societies but it has also entered into Christian communities and churches. The common …show more content…
The Upper Room Discourse and the theme of Love (Jn 13-17) In the Upper Room Discourse, John presents a well-developed discourse with important instructions and teachings of Jesus to his disciples, which are supposed to be the guiding principles for their future lives and ministry after his ascension. Our text of study (Jn 15, 9-17) is one of the several discourses of the Upper Room Discourse, which is often referred to a Jesus’ farewell Speech and a testament to his disciples (Jn 13-17). The theme of our text of study is mutual love and friendship. The theme of love occurs frequently in the upper Room Discourse than any other theme. It occurs 30 times in Jn 13, 1-17, 26. The Upper Room discourse has three inclusions formed by the love theme (αγαπη/αγαπαω). An inclusion is a literary device where words or concepts begin and end biblical text. The general inclusion of Jn 13, 1- 17, 26 begins with “Jesus’ love for the disciples as the motivating factor in his discussion (Jn 13, 1) and ends with a record of Jesus’ prayer that his love would be expressed in his disciples (Jn 17, 26).” The first inner love inclusion (Jn 13, 34-15, 17) emphasizes Jesus’ command to love one another, while the second inner inclusion (Jn 13, 35 -15, 8) stresses the importance of love with regard to fruit …show more content…
The majority of scholars begin the pericope at Jn 15, 9 because it treats the theme of love (agape) while Jn 15, 1-8 talks of the vine and the branches. However, Brown and Moloney do not agree with this delimitation and have each proposed a different beginning for the pericope. Brown begins the pericope at Jn 15, 7-17 and considers it as an explanation of the figure of the vine and the branches. Moloney begins the pericope at Jn 15, 12 arguing that Jn 15, 1-11 stresses the importance of abiding in Jesus the true vine whilst Jn 15, 12-17 highlights the command to love one