I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15: 1-5)
- Abide means to remain or stay around. (v, 4)
- What is fruit? – The evidence of our salvation.
- Godly attitudes (the fruit of the Spirit)
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Ga. 5:22-23)
- Righteous behavior
- filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Pp. 1:11)
- Praise
- Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Heb. 13:15)
- Leading others to faith (Rom. 1:13-16)
- I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Rm. 1:13-16)
- Godly attitudes (the fruit of the Spirit)
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (Jn. 15:5)
- A picture of judgment for those who are never saved
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (Jn. 15:7-8)
- v.8 Connects back to the love commandment
- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35)
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (Jn. 15:9-17)
Who is speaking?
Jesus
What is happening?
We are in Jesus’s last week before the crucifixion.
This section of scripture is known as Jesus’s final discourse. (Chapters 13-17 or 14-17 depending on who you ask).
These are Jesus’s final words to his disciples.
What is the theological principle in the text?
Apart from God, we can do no good thing (v. 4-5), and we are as good as dead (v. 6). He desires that we walk in close relationship with Him so that He can mold us and shape us to be more like Him (v. 1-4), and that our lives would bear witness to His glory (v. 7-8). It all boils down to love. Because He loves us, we can also love others, and he commands us to do just that (v. 9-17). In doing so, we bring glory to His name. He chose us specifically for this purpose (v.16).