John Chapter 15:1-11 by Mark Dunagan

The Gospel Of John Chapter 15:1-11

I. Outline Of Chapter 15: I. The Vine And The Branches: 15:1-11 II. Exhortations To Love One Another: 15:12-17 III. Warnings Concerning Future Persecution: 15:18-27

II. Introductory Comments: ‘Jesus had just told His disciples that He was going away, but He gave encouragement by the assurance that the Holy Spirit, who is “another Comforter” (14:16), would come and be an abiding presence. Now He teaches this allegory of a vine and branches to illustrate the relationship they must have with their unseen Lord.’ (Harkrider p. 103) The words in this chapter had been uttered at some point between the upper room and arriving at the garden of Gethsemane (14:31; 18:1). Let the reader be impressed with the various truths that are found in this chapter, truths which many modern religious groups have either abandoned or declared to be unspiritual. This chapter stresses obedience as a condition for abiding in Christ (15:10) and abiding in the love of God. That a Christian can lose their salvation (15:6), and that one who has been in Christ can find themselves cut off. Christians need to be spiritually productive. There is a hell (15:6). Christianity will be hated by a certain segment of the world (15:18).

III. Commentary: John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” “I am”-This is the seventh ‘I am’ in the Gospel of John (6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6).

“the true vine”-that is, the genuine and real vine, as opposed to all false vines. Points To Note: 1

1. ‘the culture of the vine was one of the common occupations of that day in Palestine. Vineyards were everywhere, and it may be that they passed several on the road from Jerusalem to Gethsemane. The vine was also known as an emblem of their own nation, just as the eagle is the emblem of the United States.’ (Tenney p. 226) 2. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was often described as a vine (Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1). 3. ‘Since the word “true” in verse 1 means “genuine” or “real”. Jesus claimed to be the one true stock…He alone is the source of the heavenly life of the spiritual vine.’ (Tenney p. 227) 4. Therefore, the nation of Israel isn’t the true vine, and physical ancestry is no guarantee of salvation. 5. Once again, Jesus is very black and white, very exclusive. He is the true vine, which means that He is the only source of spiritual life, spiritual growth, spiritual nourishment and so on. Outside of Him, there are no spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). This also means until a person comes to Jesus Christ, they won’t find the spiritual refreshment which their soul requires. It also means that if a Christian is unhappy or unfulfilled, that they have cut themselves off from the vine.

“My Father”-The Father and the Son always work together, united on the same purpose. ‘Father and Son are never regarded as separate entities each going His way regardless of the other.’ (Morris p. 669)

“is the vinedresser”-which necessary infers that abiding in the vine has some conditions (15:2). You see, a vinedresser has a specific task to perform. His presence means that this vine with its branches is going to be cared for. This isn’t some wild plant which is just left to grow in any direction, or sprawl at will. Barclay notes that the vine, ‘is a plant which needs as great deal of attention if the best fruit is to be got out of it… drastic pruning is necessary…It bears two kinds of branches, one fruit-bearing, and one non-bearing; and the non-fruit bearing branches are drastically and mercilessly pruned back, so that they will drain away none of the strength of the plant. The vine will never produce the crop of which it is capable without this drastic pruning—and Jesus knew that.’ (pp. 202-203) The Father isn’t some hired laborer in this vineyard, rather He is the owner, ‘whose interests in his own possession prompt to the closest attention and effort.’ (Woods p. 321)

John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.” “Every branch”-The branches are individual Christians (15:5). Points To Note: 1.

The denominational world has tried to defend itself by arguing that each ‘branch’ is a entire religious body. But the branches are individual Christians, just as individual Christians compose the body of Christ, and not entire religious bodies (Romans 2

12:5; 1 Corinthians 11:27). 2. Notice the word “every”, God has no favorites. Our charm, good looks, or personality can’t make up for disobeying God. In addition, God won’t force us to remain in the vine, if we chose otherwise (Romans 2:6-11).

“in Me”-Which means that the branches under consideration are Christians, those who are “in Christ”. Which also means that one isn’t a branch in the vine, until one is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Point To Note: A popular argument among those who advocate the doctrine of once-saved-always-saved, is the contention that if a person falls away, then such means that they were never really saved in the first place. But this chapter has branches “in Christ”, which are then removed. One cannot be “in Christ” and at the same time, it be said that they were never saved. Woods notes, ‘They (the advocates of once-saved-always-saved) seek to avoid it by the ridiculous suggestion that these branches are “suckers” and not real branches! It should be noted, however, that they are IN the vine; they draw their vitality from the vine…These non-fruit bearing branches differ from the rest, not in the manner of their existence, nor in the source from which they draw their life, but in their failure to bear fruit.’ (p. 322)

“that does not bear fruit”-Such “fruit” includes the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:2223) and the good words in which God wants us involved (Ephesians 2:10). Unfortunately, apostate disciplining congregations have narrowly defined fruit-bearing as making converts. Teaching people is involved in bearing fruit, but this isn’t the sum total of what is means to bear fruit, see 1 Timothy 5:10.

“He takes away”-obviously, Calvinism with it’s doctrines of predestination and oncesaved-always-saved, isn’t something which Jesus believed or taught. In fact, He taught the exact opposite. 1. The Father removes unfruitful Christians from being “in Christ”. Some people will be lost, not because they engaged in some overt immorality, or believed some terrible false doctrine, but because they failed to use their abilities (Matthew 25:25ff). Being too busy in other things, in material and secular pursuits, can send us to hell! (Luke 8:14) 2. God knows that if Christianity is going to survive and be effective upon this earth, then the dead wood must be removed. ‘Dead wood harbors insects and disease and may cause the vine to rot.’ (Tenney p. 227) In like manner, apathetic members only hurt a congregation, they set the wrong example for children, new converts and they can suck the life out of those who are trying to motivate them. 3. BE IMPRESSED, GOD ISN’T MERELY INTERESTED IN NUMBERS. Rather, God is interested in maximum productivity by the branches. In order for individuals to grow as they should, in order for the congregation to be healthy, we will from time to time need to remove members who could poison the group (1 Corinthians 5:1ff). 4. PRUNING WILL ALWAYS BE NECESSARY: There will never become a time when church discipline will no longer be needed. And losing members is at times a discouraging thing, but often it is a necessary thing if the group is going to survive. 5. Obviously, there is no predestination

in the above passages. 6. Whose fault is it if I don’t bear fruit? Neither is there any direct operation of the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t force me to bear fruit!

“and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit” Points To Note: 1.

Notice that you either remain in the vine or are removed, based on what you did or what you didn’t do. 2. SPIRITUAL GROWTH CAN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT SOME PRUNING: Or, no pain, no gain. 3. This pruning would include such things as the Father allowing us to experience trials (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4). The Hebrew writer said, ‘He scourges every son whom He receives’ (12:6), see also Hebrews 12:11. 4. This means that hardship, difficulties in life, are not signs that one is necessarily unfaithful. Some times we complain, ‘I’m doing everything right, so why are these things happening to me, why isn’t God giving me a hand?’ The point is, God is giving you a hand. FAITHFUL BRANCHES WILL BE PRUNED! ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’ (Acts 14:22) ‘For maximum fruitfulness extensive pruning is essential.’ (Morris p. 669) This should tell us something. Some times we might wish that we could live a trouble-free life. But Jesus is telling us that for the branch to be left to itself, would only result in a lot of unproductive growth. Like many people who end up with a lot of “stuff” but no real character. God is after some real fruit, not a bunch of leaves. GOD REALLY EXPECTS SOMETHING FROM US: Not just a little fruit, but serious production (Mark 4:8). 5. Some of this pruning is also accomplished by preaching which cuts to the heart, and cuts deep (2 Timothy 4:2). Superficial and watered-down preaching isn’t pruning! God wants these branches pruned back, He doesn’t have any use for people who massage the branches.

“may bear more fruit”-which means that we cannot rest on our past accomplishments. Christians need to have some definite spiritual goals. Unless you have something to aim at, you won’t find the motivation to succeed and you will end up hitting nothing of real importance. Christian, when you look at the future do you see yourself accomplishing greater things that you accomplished in past years, or lesser things?

John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” “You are already clean”-In the context, this “cleansing” seems to be equivalent to the pruning of the previous verse. This cleansing or pruning is inherently connected with the preaching of the words of Jesus. There is no substitute for book, chapter and verse

preaching, when it comes to doing some pruning among God’s children. And every preacher must realize that PRUNING IS CONSTANTLY NECESSARY (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

Point To Note: The above verse does bring up the question, ‘At what point were these disciples saved?’ Obviously, they weren’t saved without the sacrifice of Christ, and yet they were displaying the right attitude, a receptiveness to the truth. We aren’t told when they were baptized, but the necessary inference would be: 1. They were baptized after the death and resurrection of Jesus, for that is where Jesus places the command to be baptized in view of the fact that salvation is now available (Mark 16:16). 2. They were baptized, for obviously the disciples are not exempted from what they will require of others (Matthew 28:19-20). At the point of the events described in John 15:3, the disciples were as clean as one could be prior to the sacrifice of Christ, that is, up to this point they were seeking to do everything that God had expected of them.

John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” “Abide in Me”-This is the language of choice. The word “abide” means to settle down, remain. But this remaining is conditional, and it is ultimately up to us. The verse infers that this condition could be broken. Lenski notes, ‘This remaining and receiving will invariably manifest itself in two ways: it will turn against every influence that would draw us away from Jesus and would substitute something in place of him and his Word; likewise, it will constantly respond with good works or fruit.’ (Lenski p. 1033)

“and I in you”-This isn’t a personal indwelling by Jesus in the believer, just as the first part of the sentence clearly doesn’t mean that the believer personally indwells in Jesus Himself. Rather, it is the language to describe an intimate relationship, a relationship like the one that exists between the Father and the Son (14:20). Carefully note, this relationship doesn’t exist between Jesus and the unfaithful!

“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine” Points To Note: 1.

‘The word “abide” which occurs ten times in this passage (1-10), means the maintenance of an unbroken connection rather than repose, and bespeaks the necessity of a constant active relationship between the believer and his Lord.’ (Tenney p. 228) 2. In addition, the word “abide” places the responsibility for remaining upon the believer’s freewill and not some mysterious compulsion from God. 3. The above verse is saying that true good works, real spiritual fruit cannot be generated outside of Christ. While non-Christians will do some nice or kind 5

things, real spiritual growth cannot happen until one becomes a Christian. 4. In like manner, denominations teach some truth, and their members are involved in various humanitarian purposes, like most people. And yet, they are not producing the fruit which God requires. 5. Unlike the claim of some, we cannot, independent of God, find the truth and live in a manner that pleases God (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 16:25). The verse makes it clear that we don’t have some inner light which guides us, or that man will always do the right thing if left to himself. The tremendous number of false religions in the world PROVES than apart from God, man is spiritually unable to direct his own steps. The verse also reminds us that trying to be spiritual, trying to do the right thing, is a lost cause, is a waste of time, if at the same time we refuse to become a Christian.

“so neither can you, unless you abide in Me”-a rule to which there are no exceptions. And yet, people are always trying get around this verse. Many people profess that they can be “good people” and yet not be a follower of Christ.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

“I am the vine”-which naturally excludes all other professed sources of spiritual nourishment.

“you are the branches”-individual Christians, not denominations. In addition, Jesus didn’t say, ‘abide in a branch’.

“he bears much fruit”-which automatically means that there is something wrong with our current relationship with God, if we aren’t growing spiritually and bearing fruit. Notice the word “much”. An isolated good deed now and then isn’t fruit-bearing! Lenski notes, ‘This is the glory of the vine, and no true branch will attempt to make it less. Those who are bearing but little fruit have reason to examine their connection with the vine.’ (p. 1035) Jesus didn’t envision a Christianity which was nothing more than a group of unproductive people. Neither did He envision a relationship between Himself and His people which stifled their talents or stunted their growth. Be impressed that God expects us to be VERY FRUITFUL!

“you can do nothing”-Which means that God sees all the activities engaged in by various other religious groups and labels them as “nothing”. This same truth is found in Matthew 7:21-23. The greatest humanitarian efforts are completely worthless if they are

unrelated to submission to Christ. Paul taught the same truth in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. The word “nothing” here means, “nothing of real and lasting value”.

John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

“If anyone”-God is no respector of persons (Acts 10:34-35). There is no predestined group that will end up saved, no matter what they do or don’t do.

“he is thrown away as a branch and dries up”-an unproductive or apathetic Christian is a person who has made themselves useless. Barclay notes that the branches cut from the vine and then dried were completely worthless. ‘It is too soft to use for any purpose…The only thing that could be done with the wood pruned out of a vine was to make a bonfire of it.’ (p. 203) These passages remind us that the apathetic Christian is a great hindrance to the truth. In fact, the unfaithful or hypocritical Christian is doing more damage to the cause of Christ, than any unbeliever in the world could inflict (1 Corinthians 5:1ff; 1 Timothy 5:14). The verse also suggests that in reality a person outside of Christ “dries up”. Jesus isn’t trying to keep us from having fun, rather, Jesus is trying to keep us from destroying our character (Titus 3:3).

“they gather them”-compare with Matthew 13:30 and 3:10. “and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” Points To Note: 1.

A clear reference to hell. 2. Note, hell is an unavoidable destiny for those who chose not to bear fruit. In the end, the lost will be like helpless withered branches which cannot keep themselves out of the fire. 3. If one is going to choose a life of apathy towards Jesus, then you will end up in a place of eternal waste. A place where there is not such thing as improvement or productivity. 4. Also note, this is a burning which doesn’t cleanse the branch. This burning doesn’t have any redemptive properties. This isn’t a temporary place of punishment. The burning here is the final destiny for such branches, and it is eternal in nature (Matthew 25:46). Many other passages teach the same truth, especially (Matthew 13:41,42; Mark 9:43; Revelation 21:8). 5. Please note that the unproductive Christian isn’t given a lesser reward in heaven, put is punished just like all other unrepentant sinners, even those who are fornicators, murderers, and so on.

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” “If”-once again, we have the choice. “My words abide in you”-not that a Bible or New Testament actually indwells in the body of the Christian, but that the Words of Jesus are influencing our actions and attitudes, because we have chosen to accept them as truth (John 8:37). Jesus abiding in us and His word abiding in us are part of the same relationship, in fact they are inseparable. We cannot have a relationship with Jesus, if we are disobedient (Matthew 7:21). Jesus didn’t have the attitude that one could have a wonderful relationship with Him apart from obeying His commands. The above verse is the exact opposite of the popular phrase, ‘preach the man, not the plan.’

“ask whatever you wish”-It is obvious that if the Words of Jesus abide in us, then we are not going to ask for things which contradict His revealed will. ‘This is far from being an unconditional promise; the blessing is dependent on abiding in Christ and harboring his teaching in the heart. The promise follows because those who keep his words, and live in close union with him, will know to ask, and will desire to ask only that for which he desires us to seek.’ (Woods p. 325) In these verse we see two fruits that the person who abides in Christ will produce: 1. Faithfulness to the Word of God. 2. Prayer. ‘if he is really abiding in Christ he will live in obedience to the words of Christ. We should not overlook the importance of the reference to “my words”. The teaching of Christ is important and is not lightly to be passed over in the interests of promoting religious feeling.’ (Morris p. 672)

“it shall be done for you”-God does hear and answers the prayers of the faithful. Please note that the most intimate relationship that a person can have with God, inherently includes OBEDIENCE to the will of God. There isn’t a relationship with God on some higher plane which makes obedience unnecessary. There isn’t some “spirit” of the Law which goes beyond what the commands of Christ plainly declare. The person who obeys the teachings of Jesus is automatically a person with the mind of Christ, for Jesus always obeyed the Father. Disobedience to the will of God is an attitude which God has always condemned (Hebrews 3:18-19).

John 15:8 “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

“By this is My Father glorified”-‘This is how’ (Phi); ‘My Father is honored in this’ (Ber) Points To Note:

Bearing fruit thus becomes a way that we manifest not only our love for God (John 14:15), but also the fact that we take Him seriously, that we believe He is worthy of our obedience, that we believe that His way is right, that we recognize the fact that He is God and we aren’t. 2. The reverse is also true, God is dishonored by apathetic and unfaithful Christians. Apathy is to say that God is unimportant, that God has no more value than watching T.V. or recreating (Hebrews 10:26ff).

“bear much fruit”-not only would the Apostles bear much fruit, but this certainly also applies to all Christians. God expects every Christian to bear “much” fruit. God doesn’t appreciate the attitude of, ‘What is the least I have to do in order to make it to heaven?’ (1 Corinthians 15:58; Titus 3:1 ‘ready for every good deed’; 3:14).

“so prove to be My disciples”-‘To go on bearing fruit is to prove conclusively that we are disciples.’ (Lenski p. 1043). In fact, this whole section is on “proving” that you are a true follower of Jesus. Which means that being a disciple and continuing to be a real disciple is conditional. Notice, that Jesus doesn’t have the attitude that a Christian reaches the point that they no longer have to “prove” themselves.

John 15:9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” “Just as the Father has loved Me”-We should be inspired by this statement! Jesus simply doesn’t put up with us. Rather, He loves us, like His Father loves Him. Which means that Jesus is pleased with us, when we keep His commandments (Matthew 3:17) ‘This same love filled Jesus and evidenced itself at every turn in his relation to the disciples and in his dealings with them. Looking back to the day when they first met Jesus, they had to say, “He did love us.”’ (Lenski p. 1044)

“abide in My love”-Which means that this love is conditional. We have the choice as to whether we remain the object of Jesus’ favor.

John 15:10 “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.”

Points To Note:

So much for the idea that God will continue to be pleased with me no matter what I do or don’t do. 2. Jesus isn’t giving us an impossible task to perform. ‘Jesus was not asking His disciples to do more than He did; obedience confirmed His love too (Heb. 5:8).’ (Harkrider p. 104) 3. This verse defines what it means to “abide in the love of Jesus”. ‘It is when a man keeps Christ’s commandments that he abides in Christ’s love.’ (Morris p. 673) 4. Therefore, the ‘love of Jesus’, will never prompt a person to neglect, disobey, or argue that a command that Jesus gave isn’t important or essential. In contrast, Jesus demonstrated His overwhelming love for the Father, by cherishing and guarding the Father’s precepts, in like manner, we demonstrate our great love for Jesus, by prizing, cherishing, elevating and following His will.

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

“that My joy may be in you”-Some view this as meaning that, Jesus looks for their conduct to be such that He can rejoice in them. But I think the real meaning is, ‘He means that He had the joy of living the completely fruitful life and He wants the joy that He already has to be in them too as they live fruitfully.’ (Morris p. 673) Wow! What a statement. Jesus is saying, ‘I have had a wonderful life here on this earth, it has been a life of satisfaction, fulfillment, and rich joy in serving the Father. I want you to enjoy serving Me as much as I have enjoyed serving the Father!’ Do you enjoy your life, Christian?

“and that your joy may be made full”-‘Frequently we are tempted to believe that sin will produce happiness. To the contrary, joy, and peace are the fruit of obedience to Christ.’ (Harkrider p. 104) ‘It is thus far from true, as some people today allege, that Christianity creates in its devotees a sour and gloomy disposition and requires of them a life devoid of pleasure; quite the contrary. Christians are privileged to experience the greatest joy possible to people in this world.’ (Woods p. 326) ‘It is no cheerless barren existence that Jesus plans for His people. But the joy of which He speaks comes only as they are wholehearted in their obedience to His commands. To be half-hearted is to get the worst of both worlds!’ (Morris p. 674)

Points To Note: 1. This last statement must give us cause to seriously reflect upon our own lives. Do we portray to the world a joyful Christianity or a reluctant and gloomy Christianity? 2. Am I happier than the person who isn’t serving Christ? I am more fulfilled and satisfied, more optimistic than people in the world? 3. Do I really enjoy serving God? Do I rejoice in being allowed to serve Him and bring others to Him? Do I exult in my current relationship with Him, do I rejoice in the fact that heaven awaits me? Do I realize everyday that the victory is ours, that God has won? 4. Do I rejoice 10

worshipping Him, or do I tolerate it? Butler notes, ‘Why are so many Christian people not finding joy and fulfillment in their Christianity? Why are they withered and dead? Because they have not allowed the life-giving, fruit-bearing sustenance of the Word of God…to flow through them. Further, they do not allow the Word to flow out of them as a river of living water, quenching the thirst of the souls of the unsaved; nor are they lights unto the world; nor are they the salt of the earth.’ (p. 276)