John 17:20

John 17:20. Neither pray I for these alone,-"

For these who are already saved by my word," -

John 17:20. But for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

And so his blessed arm encircled not only the converts gathered to him by his own personal ministry, but also those who should, in after days, be converted under his servants’ ministry; and it always seems to me to have been great condescension on his part to have said, "I pray for them also which shall believe on me through their word." We should have expected that he would have said, "through my word;" and, indeed, it is his Word that leads sinners to repent and to believe; yet Christ puts this honour upon those who speak his Word out of the fullness of their hearts. They have by experience made it their own, so he calls it theirs, and gives them this honourable position as the messengers of the gospel of salvation.