Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

What exactly does "they kept your word" mean in John 17:6-7?

This text of Scripture is drawn from Jesus' prayer for His disciples and for those who will come to the faith. The prayer stretches through John 17:6-26. 

In the above context, Jesus was praying for His disciples. His statement in vv. 16-17 is an affirmation that the disciples had received the teachings of Jesus and had faithfully walked in obedience to their calling in ministry till this point. 

Jesus' statement in v.8 serves to amplify his words in vv.6-7. He says "For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me."

Jesus had taught His disciples the kingdom truths and they had faithfully followed and served with Him until He went to the cross. The disciples were therefore His divine agents for the advancement of the kingdom of God. They were charged with the gospel mandate. 

The disclaimer given in v.12 refers to Judas Iscariot who would shortly betray Jesus (John 18:1-11). He was not counted among the faithful followers of Jesus because His destiny was sealed. He is described as "the son of perdition", a phrase that describes his destiny of doom. Judas was not a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He was under the influence of Satan and his mission was confirmed in John 18. He betrayed Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15). 

Jesus was therefore praying for the 11 disciples who would spearhead the gospel ministry upon His ascension to heaven. 

This prayer cascades to all believers who would come to Christ. Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23, saying, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." (NKJV). 

He prayed for the unity of believers. This is significant for the growth of the church and the success of the gospel mandate. God is calling us to keep His word even as we proclaim Christ in our generation.

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Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What exactly does "they kept your word" mean? John 17:6-7

"They kept your word," often referencing John 17:6-8, means followers have received, cherished, and faithfully obeyed God's teachings through Jesus. It signifies holding fast to divine truth, guarding it, and letting it guide actions and lifestyle rather than just intellectual understanding. 

Some Key aspects of this phrase include:

Active Obedience: It implies putting teachings into practice, not merely hearing them.

Valuing the Message: It means taking the word to heart, meditating upon it, and treating it as a precious treasure.

Faithful Adherence: It refers to remaining loyal to a covenant, often prioritising it over personal relationships or worldly desires.

Spiritual Recognition: The disciples kept the word because they recognised it came from the Father through Christ. 

In a spiritual context, this indicates a deep, enduring commitment to God's message. 

In the Bible, this phrase is most famously used by Jesus in his prayer for his disciples: "They were yours; you gave them to me, and they have kept your word." 

Reliability: Doing exactly what you said you would do.

Integrity: Ensuring that your actions align with your statements, even if it costs you something.

What does Jesus mean by "keep my word"?

It means in the original language "to hold onto, to treasure, to cling to," like Mary who "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." It doesn't simply mean "obey." It involves taking Jesus' words to heart, meditating upon them, inwardly digesting them, trusting in them, and following them.

The words of Jesus are translated, "Those who love me will 'obey my teaching.' "These possible alternatives for 'keep my word' essentially mean the same thing: that the words of Jesus are to be highly regarded by his followers.

Those who love Jesus are to hold his words in such high regard that we observe them, obey them, pay attention to them, guard them, and hold firm to them. That is what it means to keep the words of Jesus.

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Donna Williams Supporter

The word "kept," simply means in the Greek, "observe". I believe Jesus was talking about, how the disciples believed the word that the Father gave Him to speak.

We see in Matthew 28:20, where the word "observe", is used in the KJV and NKJV, as Jesus was instructing His disciples, or as it is known as the "Great Commission" before His Ascension.

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Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

I believe that this is explained in John 6:35-39. 

John 6:37: "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."

They have heard Jesus word, and have believed that He is the Christ.

At least that is what I understand.

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