Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Ye have not chosen me - Ye have not elected me as your Teacher: I have called you to be my disciples; witnesses and depositories of the truth. It was customary among the Jews for every person to choose his own teacher.
And ordained you - Rather, I have appointed you: the word is , I have Put or placed you, i.e. in the vine.
Theodorus Mopsuensis, as quoted by Wetstein, observes that is here used for ; (I have planted); "and, in saying this, our Lord still makes use of the metaphor of the vine; as if he had said: I have not only planted you, but I have given you the greatest benefits, causing your branches to extend every where through the habitable world."
The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.
To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must -
1.Be chosen of God to the work.
2.He must be placed in the true vine - united to Christ by faith.
3.He must not think to lead an idle life, but labor.
4.He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.
5.He must labor so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.
6.He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labor, and blessed him in his work.
7.He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain - that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.
8.He must continue instant in prayer, that his labors may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God - Whatsoever ye shall Ask.
9.He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. - Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, etc. See Quesnel.
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