John 17:3

Life eternal. With the article : the life eternal. Defining the words in the previous verse. The life eternal (of which I spoke) is this.

That [ι ν α]. Expressing the aim.

Might know [γ ι ν ω σ κ ω σ ι]. Might recognize or perceive. This is striking, that eternal life consists in knowledge, or rather the pursuit of knowledge, since the present tense marks a continuance, a progressive perception of God in Christ. That they might learn to know. Compare ver. 23; John 10:38; 1 John 5:20; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:8.

" I say, the acknowledgment of God in Christ Accepted by thy reason, solves for thee All questions in the earth and out of it, And has so far advanced thee to be wise.

Wouldst thou improve this to reprove the proved ? In life's mere minute, with power to use that proof, Leave knowledge and revert to how it sprung? Thou hast it; use it, and forthwith, or die.

For this I say is death, and the sole death, When a man's loss comes to him from his gain, Darkness from light, from knowledge ignorance, And lack of love from love made manifest. "Robert Browning," A Death in the Desert. "

The relation of perception of God to character is stated in 1 John 3:2, on which see note.

True [α λ η θ ι ν ο ν]. See on 1 9. Compare 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Timothy 6:15.

Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. The Rev. brings out better the emphasis of the Greek order : and Him whom Thou didst send, even Jesus Christ. Didst send [α π ε σ τ ε ι λ α ς]. The aorist tense, emphasizing the historic fact of Christ's mission.