John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Study Note
Study Note
The petition that believers 'may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me' gives Christian unity an explicitly missiological purpose: the oneness of the church is meant to be the Father's love made visible and legible to the world. The astonishing equation 'hast loved them, as thou hast loved me' extends the Father's eternal love for the Son to all who are in the Son — a basis for profound assurance of divine acceptance. The Greek 'hina ōsin teteleiōmenoi eis hen' (that they may be perfected into one) suggests unity is eschatological completion, not merely institutional agreement. This verse grounded the ecumenical movement's theological rationale and has been cited in every major ecumenical document from Faith and Order (1927) onward.
Other Translations
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.
I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be perfected into one, and that the world may know that Thou didst send me, and didst love them as Thou didst love me.
I in them, and you in me, so that they may be made completely one, and so that it may become clear to all men that you have sent me and that they are loved by you as I am loved by you.
Cross References
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might …
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto …
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will …
For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may …
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may …
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me …
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of …