Meaning: The quote by John Darby, a clergyman and one of the early leaders of the Plymouth Brethren movement, reflects his belief in the separation of the "children of God" from the world. Darby was a significant figure in the development of dispensationalism, a theological framework that views history as a series of distinct periods or "dispensations" in which God interacts with humanity in different ways. His quote emphasizes the idea that believers should be gathered together as children of God and, consequently, not of the world.

In order to understand the quote in its historical and theological context, it is important to explore the key elements of Darby's beliefs and the broader movement of which he was a part. The Plymouth Brethren, also known as the Exclusive Brethren, emerged in the early 19th century as a reaction against what its founders saw as the corruption and worldliness of established churches. The movement emphasized the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of all believers, and the idea of a pure, separate community of believers.

Darby's quote reflects these core beliefs of the Plymouth Brethren. The phrase "the desire of our hearts" suggests a deep longing for the unity and purity of the community of believers. This longing is rooted in the belief that such unity and purity are not only desirable but also align with "God's will under this dispensation." Here, Darby is expressing the view that the current period in God's plan calls for the gathering of believers as a distinct, separate community.

The concept of being "not of the world" is a central theme in Christian theology, particularly in the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to his disciples about their status in relation to the world, saying, "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:19, English Standard Version). This idea of being "not of the world" is often understood as a call to live in a way that is distinct from the values and priorities of worldly society.

Darby's emphasis on this concept reflects the Plymouth Brethren's commitment to maintaining a separation from the world. This separation was not just a physical or geographical one but also a spiritual and moral one. The Brethren sought to live according to the teachings of the New Testament and to avoid the influences of what they saw as a corrupt and worldly society.

In the context of the quote, "the children of God" refers to believers who have been adopted into God's family through faith in Christ. The idea of being "gathered together as such" suggests a sense of unity and community among these believers. For Darby and the Plymouth Brethren, this unity was to be expressed not in a formal, institutional sense but in the gathering of believers for worship, fellowship, and mutual edification.

The quote also reflects Darby's understanding of the church as a distinct entity separate from the world. This understanding is rooted in the New Testament concept of the church as the "ekklesia," a called-out assembly of believers. The early Christians saw themselves as a community called out from the surrounding culture to live according to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Darby and the Plymouth Brethren sought to recapture this sense of separation and distinctiveness in their own time.

In conclusion, John Darby's quote encapsulates his belief in the separation of the "children of God" from the world and the desire for unity and purity among believers. It reflects the core principles of the Plymouth Brethren movement, including a commitment to the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of all believers, and the idea of a distinct, separate community of believers. Understanding the historical and theological context of Darby's quote helps to shed light on its significance and the beliefs that underpinned it.