"NAME" IN JOHN 17

In John 17:6, Jesus says, "I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world." The word "name" in this passage can be understood in a number of ways.

• The character of God. In the Old Testament, God's name is often used to represent his character and nature. For example, when Moses asks God to reveal his name, God says, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). This means that God is the one who is self-existent and eternal. He is the one who is the source of all life and goodness.
• The revelation of God. When Jesus says that he has manifested God's name, he is referring to his own ministry. Jesus came to reveal God to the world. He showed us what God is like by his words and actions. He showed us that God is love, mercy, and forgiveness.
• The salvation of God. Jesus's death and resurrection are the ultimate manifestation of God's name. In these events, God showed us his love for us and his willingness to save us from our sins.

In John 17:6, Jesus is praying that his disciples would come to know God's name in all of these senses. He wants them to know the character of God, the revelation of God, and the salvation of God. He wants them to experience the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God.Here are some of the ways that major commentaries have explained the word "name" in John 17:6:

• The New International Commentary on the New Testament: "The name of God represents the totality of his being and character."
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary: "The name of God is a metonymy for his character, nature, and saving activity."
• The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary: "The name of God is a symbol of his presence, power, and authority."
• The New American Commentary: "The name of God represents his character, nature, and saving activity."
• The Cambridge Commentary on the New Testament: "The name of God is a metonymy for his character, nature, and saving activity."

These commentaries all agree that the word "name" in John 17:6 is a rich and complex term that can be understood in a number of ways. It represents the character of God, the revelation of God, and the salvation of God. Jesus is praying that his disciples would come to know all of these things. 

In his Homilies on the Gospel of John (1-40), Saint Augustine discusses the meaning of the word "name" in John 17. He argues that the name of God is not simply a word or a title, but rather a reality that reveals the nature of God. He writes:

"The name of God is not a word, but a reality. It is the reality of God himself, revealed to us in Jesus Christ. When we speak of the name of God, we are speaking of the very being of God, of his nature and character."

Augustine goes on to say that the name of God is revealed in Jesus Christ in three ways:

• Through his words and deeds, Jesus shows us what it means to be like God.
• Through his death and resurrection, Jesus defeats sin and death, and opens the way for us to be reconciled to God.
• Through his ascension into heaven, Jesus assures us that he is always with us, and that we can always call on his name for help.

Augustine concludes by saying that the name of God is a source of great comfort and hope for us. He writes:

"The name of God is a source of great comfort and hope for us. When we call on the name of God, we are calling on the reality of God himself. We are calling on the one who loves us, who forgives us, and who gives us eternal life."

Augustine's understanding of the name of God is still relevant today. It reminds us that God is not a distant or abstract being, but rather a personal God who loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. When we call on the name of God, we can be confident that he will hear us and answer our prayers.