Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Sanctify them—As the former prayer, "Keep them," was "negative," asking protection for them from the poisonous element which surrounded and pressed upon their renewed nature, so this prayer, "Sanctify them," is positive, asking the advancement and completion of their begun sanctification.
through—in.
thy truth—God's revealed truth, as the medium or element of sanctification; a statement this of immense importance.
thy word is truth—(Compare John 15:3; Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13).
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world—for that, though it would secure their own safety, would leave the world unblessed by their testimony.
but . . . keep them from the evil—all evil in and of the world.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing John 17:17:
Daniel 10:21
Zechariah 8:3
John 17:19
Ephesians 1:13
Ephesians 5:26
Colossians 1:12
1 Timothy 2:4
Titus 1:3
Hebrews 2:11
Hebrews 9:23
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