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John Chapter
Fifteen
I. Content of the Chapter
the Son of God the Savior
is the True Vine
A. The Parable of the
True Vine:
1. The relationship among Christ
God and believers (v.1-3).
2. The mystery of bearing
more fruits ---- to abide in the Lord (v.4-8).
B. The Positive Signals
of Abiding in the Lord:
1. Abiding in the Lord’s love (v.9-11).
2. Believers love one
another (v.12-17).
C. The Negative Signals
of Abiding in the Lord:
1. Being hated and prosecuted by the world (v.18-21).
2. They should bear their
sins (v.22-25).
D. The Commission of Abiding in the Lord
---- to bear witness of the Lord (v.26-27).
II. Verse by Verse commentary
John. 15:1 “"I am the true vine
and My Father is the vinedresser.”
YLT:
“I am the true vine
and my
Father is the husbandman;”
Meaning of Words: “true”: truthful; “vinedresser”: husbandman
land – worker;
The Background: in the Old
Testament
the vine was usually employed to symbolize the people of Israel
showing that they were the unique race who was chosen and cultivated by God
who expected they would bear more fruits for Him. However
they disappointed
God so much (see Ps 80:8-19; Is 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Ezek 15:2-4; 19:10-14) that
they finally became the nominal vine.
Literal
Meaning: “I am the true vine.” ---- In the original
it is that “I am
the vine
the true one.” The Lord makes a comparison between Himself and the
vine (the Israelite) in the Old Testament. He is the “true” vine
and life is
in Him (see 1:4). Therefore He can fulfill the purpose of God’s planting.
“And My
Father is the vinedresser.” ---- “The vinedresser” refers to the one who plants and
cultivates the vine ---- loosens the soil
irrigates the land
fertilizes
prunes
weeds and etc.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “I am the true vine”
Christ is the true origin of all the
provision. Grace and truth come through Christ (see 1:17).
2) “And My Father is the
vinedresser.” ---- It means that
God personally takes the responsibility of cultivation and nursing. Since the
Almighty and only wise God looks after our life in Christ
is there anything we
should worry about?
3) Christ and the
church is the centre of God’s dispensation of the ages (see Eph 3:4-11).
John. 15:2 “Every branch in Me that
does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes
that it may bear more fruit.”
YLT: “every branch in me not bearing fruit
He
doth take it away
and every one bearing fruit
He doth cleanse by pruning it
that it may bear more fruit;”
Meaning of Words: “take away”: carry
put away; “prune”: renew;
The Background: vine has two kinds
of branches: (1) one is the branch of futility ---- it absorbs water and nutrients
of the vine but bears no fruit
only making itself grow up for nothing. (2) The
other one is that which bears fruit ---- it bears fruit
but the amount of each
vine is different.
Literal Meaning: “every branch in Me that does
not bear fruit”
there are two
opposite explanations among the Bible exegetes about such branch: (1) the “true
believers” who have been saved
but the divine life has not been distinctly
manifested. (2) The nominal “false believers” who have not been really saved.
Those who regard it as “the true believer” provide
the reasons as below: (1) “in Me” was spoken by the Lord Himself. He would
never regard the false believer as the one who was of Him. (2) The Lord said
these words to His disciples (including not Judas)
and these words had
surpassed the stage of salvation. Instead
they further encouraged believers in
the matter of “witness”. (3) The phrase “take away” does not mean being
rejected by the Lord forever
but that they can no longer obtain the provision
of life from the vine since they have lost the function of life. (4) “He is
cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into
the fire
and they are burned (v.6).” ---- It does not mean the eternal destruction
but that they become withered because of losing the provision and watering of
life and will be punished by the Lord and be cast out
having no part with the
enjoyment of the Kingdom (see Matt25:30). They shall be saved
but so as
through fire. (see 1Cor 3:15).
Those who regard it as “the false believer” provide
the reasons as follows: (1) “In Me” was only nominal
they had no real relation
of life with the Lord. (2) “Take away” refers to the judgment of the Lord. The real
situation will be revealed sooner or later. If they do not leave voluntarily
for being unable to prevail against the temptations
enticements or
persecutions
they will be taken away in the completion of the age
like
gathering the darnel from the filed of the wheat (see Matt 13:40). (3) “They
gather them and throw them into the fire (v.6)”
it refers to the punishment of
the lake of fire
and the darnel will be cast into the furnace of fire (see
Matt 13:42). If they are true believers
they will not suffer such punishment.
(4) The Lord will not allow any of the true believers be lost (see 6:39;
10:27-28).
To make a comprehensive view of the above-mentioned
reasons
the author believes that according to whole paragraph of the Scripture
the branch that does not bear fruit may refer to the “failing true believers”. It
indicates the real situation. Today
in the church
how many Christians ----
the branch that does not bear fruit ---- there are!
“He takes away”
the branch which is taken away
does not refer to the nominal believer who has not really been born again
but
the one who is of the Lord. However
since he has not borne fruit
he is taken
away and is unable to obtain the provision of life from the vine
thus becoming
withered. Therefore
“being taken away” does not mean being rejected for ever
but being temporarily separated from the fellowship with the Lord.
“Take away”
if one takes away the branch
the
branch will receive more sunshine and air
which makes it easier to bear fruit.
Therefore
it can also be regarded as the motivation and encouragement to the
branch that does not bear fruit.
“Every branch that bears fruit”
“fruit” is the
manifestation of the inner life. Every good tree produces good fruits
but the
worthless tree produces bad fruits (see Matt 7:17). Christians absorb the
abundant life from Christ who is the true vine
and thus are bound to bear the
fruit of the divine life.
The “fruit” that Christians bear have at least such
kinds as below: (1) the fruit of the divine life ---- which is the spontaneous manifestation
of the divine life
making other see God or Christ Himself (see Matt 7:20; 1Tim
3:16; Phil 1:20). (2) The fruit of the daily life ---- which means the natural
manifestation
revealing every good virtues (see Gal 5:22-23
Eph 5:9; Phil
1:10; James 3:17-18). (3) The fruit of the works ---- which means bring men to
believe the Lord (see Rom 1:13). (4) The fruit of the lips ---- which refers to
the praise and thanks to God (see Heb 13:15).
“He prunes”
“prunes” means removing the superfluous
leaves
branches and etc. In other words
remove everything that is a hindrance
to the growth of life and bearing fruit.
“That it may bear more fruit”
it indicates that
the purpose of pruning is to make the branches bear fruit.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) In the same vine
there are branches bearing fruit and not bearing fruit. The condition of the
branches decides whether the vine bears fruit or not. The Lord grants us a
significant right to decide what kind Christians we want to be.
2) “And every branch that bears fruit He prunes
that it may
bear more fruit.” ---- “Pruning” refers to not only cleaning off
but also
taking away. Therefore
we have to not only remove every sin from us
but also
receive the necessary work of the cross to get rid of those obstacles which
prevent us from bearing fruit or more fruit.
3) Branches should be
pruned to bear more fruit. A Christian must pay great cost so that he will
become a useful vessel for the Lord and bear witness of the Lord. One who has
been dealt with by the Lord all the time can help others to receive the
salvation.
4) If the Lord does
not prunes us but let us grow
without restraint
we will lose the special quality of Christian life. If we
leave the Lord but live in our own way
we will lose the characteristic of
Christian life.
5) Bearing fruit is
the best manifestation of the life of vine
and is also the greatest
satisfaction of the husbandmen.
6) Though branches
that bear fruit are good
they are still not the best
for they should bear
more fruit. “Bearing more fruit” should be the aim of every Christian.
7) The Father chastens
for profit
in order to the partaking of His holiness (see Heb 12:10-11)
so we
should not be afraid of the chastening of God.
8) The worms
mildew
and fungus in the vine should be removed. We Christians should also clean off
the unnecessary things in us.
John. 15:3 “You are already clean
because of the word which I have spoken to you. ”
YLT: “already ye are
clean
because of the word that I have spoken to you;”
Meaning
of Words: “word”: the abiding word
(logos); “clean”: clear
purify;
Literal
Meaning: “clean”
it means that
the Lord has forgiven our sins
and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (see
13:10; 1John1:9). This verse indicates that the disciples have been saved
because of receiving the Lord’s teaching.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) One shall be
purified through the washing of water by “word” (see Eph 5:26)
not the works of
themselves.
2) If a believer
after being saved
wants to get rid of everything from the old creature in life
and grow up in the new creature
he should have the words of the Scripture
which provides the power and function of purification.
3) One shall be
purified through the word (the Scripture) of the Lord
which is profitable for
teaching
for conviction
for correction
for instruction in righteousness.
That the man of God may be complete fully fitted to every good work. (Tim
3:16-17).
John. 15:4 “Abide in Me
and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
unless it abides in the vine
neither can you
unless you abide in Me. ”
YLT: “remain in me
and I in you
as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself
if it may not
remain in the vine
so neither ye
if ye may not remain in me.”
Meaning
of Words: “abide”:
continue
dwell
and endure;
Literal
Meaning: “abide in Me.” ---- Because of being jointed to the
Lord
believers receive the provision of His life and dwell in Him.
“In the Lord” is different from “abiding in the Lord”. The former
concerns the matter of receiving the salvation
and the latter concerns the
matter of fellowship. Once we have been saved
we are in the Lord. But only
abiding in Him may lead us into the intimate fellowship with the Lord.
“And I
in you.” ---- The life of
the Lord continually works
manages
instructs and guides in us.
“As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself
unless it abides in the vine.” ---- The branch cannot bear fruit through
the union of mere one time or absorbing the abundant sap. Branches can not
survive without the water and nutrients provided by the vine continually
or
let alone bear fruit! Likewise
believers should be jointed to the Lord and
receive provision of life from the Lord continually so that they can bear
fruit.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Abide
in Me”
a Christian has
already been in Christ
to whom he belongs. He should keep close fellowship
with the Lord everyday. We
who are in Christ
shall enjoy the presence of the
Lord constantly through reading the Bible
praying
keeping the word of the
Lord and having fellowship with Him.
2) “Unless it abides in the vine
neither can you”
the fruit of life is truly not borne by
ourselves
so we should hold the status
abide in the Lord and keep intimate
fellowship with the Lord.
John. 15:5 “"I am the vine
you
are the branches. He who abides in Me
and I in him
bears much fruit; for
without Me you can do nothing. ”
YLT: “`I am the vine
ye the branches; he who is remaining in me
and I in him
this one doth bear
much fruit
because apart from me ye are not able to do anything;”
Meaning
of Words: “without”:
beside
by itself
apart;
The
Background: It is meaningful in
the Bible that it uses the vine to symbolize our relationship with the Lord. A
vine has none other functions except for bearing fruit: (1) the flower of the
vine is very small
which men can scarcely see. Besides
the florescence is
short
so it does not live to be appreciated. (2) The trunk of the vine is not
firm
which cannot be used as walking stick
and is even useless to be the
material of burning. (3) There is none other byproduct of the vine for men to utilize
except for grapes or fruit of grapes (raisins
juice of the grape
the wine and
etc). Obviously
the vine lives for only bearing fruit.
Literal
Meaning: “I am the vine
you are the
branches.” ---- The
relationship between the vine and the branches just indicates the close relationship
between the Lord and us
who are inseparable: (1) the vine without branches
cannot be called vine
and the branches without the vine will be withered
immediately. (2) There is a relation of the inner life between the vine and
branches ---- the Lord is the provision of our life
and we are the
manifestation of His life. (3) The vine and branches have the same life. We
Christians have also the same life of God in Christ.
“For
without Me you can do nothing.” ---- One can do nothing without the Lord
for the origin of life
has been cut off.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “I am the vine
you are the
branches.” ---- How the life
quality and vitality of the vine manifest in the branches
so as that of Christ
in His believers.
2) “I am the vine
you are the
branches.” ---- How the
provision of the branches rests with the vine
so as that of us rests with
Christ. His is everything for us. Blessed is he who is jointed to Him!
3) “I am the vine
you are the
branches.” ---- How the vine
relies on the branches to bear fruit
so as the Lord even needs us to bear
fruit for Him. We need the Lord
so does He. The Lord needs us to manifest His
life on the earth.
4) “You are the branches.” ---- No matter how infirm and failing
or
how terrible and falling you are
you are still a “branch” of the Lord and a man who is jointed to the
Lord
as long as you have been saved.
5) “You are the branches.” ---- The word “are” is
much precious. Seeing that we “are” the
branches will bring a favorable turn to our spiritual life. The
founder of China Inland Mission
James Hudson Taylor
was tormented by the
question that how to abide in the Lord but achieved nothing. However
since he
saw that he “was” the branch
he became a
new James Hudson Taylor from then on.
6) “He who
abides in Me
and I in him”
if we abide in the Lord
He will abide in us. The Lord abides in us to be our life
power
joy
peace and everything
thus making
us enjoy Himself and the riches of His life in the practical experience.
7) When we preach the glad tidings
we shall
not only rely on power
but also life. The condition and nature of the life
decide that of the fruit. One should usually have sweet fellowship with the
Lord in life
so that he can bear fruit.
8) The branches of the
vine have only one responsibility of bearing fruit. He who preaches the glad
tidings bears fruit. Therefore
every Christian should do his duty to preach
the glad tidings and save sinners in the daily life.
9) What is important
is not the branches live for the vine
but the life of the vine should be
conveyed to the branches. The more one enjoys Him
the more he can do for Him.
If a man (branch) lives in the vine more
the life of the vine will be more
conveyed to Him. When the sap of the vine flows through the branches
they will
bear fruit thereafter. This is what the Lord asks us to do.
John. 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in
Me
he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw
them into the fire
and they are burned.”
YLT: “if any one may
not remain in me
he was cast forth without as the branch
and was withered
and they gather them
and cast to fire
and they are burned;”
Meaning
of Words: “wither”: dry up
pine away;
“gather”: assemble;
Literal
Meaning: “he is cast out as a branch
and is withered”
the branch is
withered
for it is unable to absorb water and nutrients from the trunk. The “withered”
branch does not refer to the false Christians
for the whole parable refers to
the true Christians.
“And they
gather them and throw them into the fire
and they are burned.” ---- “Are burned”
it does not mean the
eternal perdition
but that if a believer does not abide in the Lord
he will
be worthless like a branch separated from the trunk. It becomes a withered
branch
which can be only used to burn. Men shall not respect those Christians
who have lost the testimony
and even regard them as a word of shame
which
makes them ashamed
just like being burned.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If the fellowship
of a believer with the Lord is cut off
he will be in need of the working
flowing
and provision of life
thus causing his spiritual life be withered.
2) Those believers
whose spiritual life is withered not only have little worth in the Lord
and
even men in the world also despise him.
John. 15:7 “If you abide in Me
and My
words abide in you
you will ask what you desire
and it shall be done for you. ”
YLT: “if ye may
remain in me
and my sayings in you may remain
whatever ye may wish ye shall
ask
and it shall be done to you.”
Meaning
of Words: “abide”:
the transient word. “will”: desire; “ask”: require
call for; “do”: become
come to pass;
Literal
Meaning: “and My words abide in you”
it means the word of the Lord dwell in them richly (see
Col 3:16)
so that the Lord’s word becomes the standard of life
the guidance
of their thought
the motivation of their deeds and the basis of their choices.
“You will ask what you desire
and it
shall be done for you.” ---- The word “will” here means the will of men desires
something actively. “Ask” indicates it is a concentrated prayer. Therefore
it shows that if one desires something
actively and asks the Lord
the matter will be done. In other words
the Lord
believes that the will of some men confirms to the will of God.
The word of the Lord in this verse
indicates that since a believer abides in the Lord
the word of the Lord will abide in him also. Therefore
from the
Lord’s word
he will know what the will of God
is
and what is not. Finally
what such men desires is what God desires
and
their prayer will be according to their inner knowledge. Such prayer surely conforms to the will of God. Therefore
once they ask
it shall be done by the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) A man who abides in
the Lord will not be in want of the revelation of the Lord’s word.
2) The right prayer of
Christians is based on the right knowledge about the Lord’s word.
3) We can see in this
verse that abiding in the Lord and having fellowship with Him are the
conditions that prayers shall be granted. Our prayer shall conform to the will
of the Lord
so that it will be fulfilled. If we want to pray according to the
will of the Lord
we should abide in the Lord and have fellowship with the
Lord
thus enabling us to know the will of the Lord.
4) The secret of
prayers being granted is that ---- if God wants to something
He will firstly
convey His will to men’s
heart through the fellowship of the spirit. Then men pray according to this
will
He will fulfill it.
5) Whether will our
prayer be granted is decided by two points: one is we should abide in Him
and
the other is His word should also abide in us. Therefore
here it mentions that
we can pray with the word of the Scriptures. Reading the Scripture and praying
to the Lord are indispensable for a normal Christian.
6) Here
the word of the Lord is first
and prayer afterwards. But in the Book of Psalms
the prayer of waking up at first
and later is the meditation of the Lord’s word (see Ps 119:147-148). Sometimes
we read the Bible first
and then pray. And sometimes
we pray first and read
the Bible afterwards. Both of them shall be parallel and complementary.
7) When you read the
word of God
it enlightens you inwardly and will become the burden and guidance
of your prayer. This prayer is a pray out of God Himself
which is easily to be
granted.
8) If a man learns to
have fellowship with the Lord and live in the Lord
the word of the Lord will
abide in Him. A man who reads the Scripture in a right and normal way should be
a man who abides in the Lord.
9) A man who prays
should be a man who abides in the Lord. When a man lives before the Lord
which
is obviously good
it is still possible that he has not been really jointed to
the Lord. Only when a man abides in the Lord will he and the Lord become one.
Then
he can tell the Lord that he does not pray in himself
the Lord and
himself pray together.
10) If a prayer has
none impact to my life
and has not made me the one who can bear more fruit
it
will not be true prayer.
11) To abide in the
Lord is the secret of a good prayer. The closer we are to the Lord
the more we
have the mind of Christ in us. The more we know Him in His word
the more we
will know His will
the nearer is our will to God’s will
and the surer that our prayer must
be granted.
12) The most spiritual
prayer of believers is the Lord Himself prays in us ---- His will becomes our
will
and His word becomes our word.
John. 15:8 “By this My Father is glorified
that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. ”
YLT: “`In this was my
Father glorified
that ye may bear much fruit
and ye shall become my
disciples.”
Literal
Meaning: “By this My Father is
glorified
that you bear much fruit”
“glorify” means God has been revealed (see Ex 34:34). Bearing more fruit is
making the life of God be manifested. Therefore
God has been manifested when
believers bear more fruit
thus He has been glorified.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God is glorified by the
work of the Son (see 13:31-32) as well as the believers who bear fruit. In
fact
fruit borne by believers is the fulfillments of the works of the Lord.
2) No matter
manifesting the life of God or multiplying the life of God
the ultimate
purpose is to glorify God. Glorifying God is the purpose as well as the value
of our existence.
John. 15:9 “"As the Father loved
Me
I also have loved you; abide in My love. ”
YLT: “According as
the Father did love me
I also loved you
remain in my love;”
Literal
Meaning: “As the Father loved Me
I
also have loved you.” ---- The Lord’s
love to us is the same as the Father’s love to the Son. Both of them are the
same in the quality and amount.
“Abide
in My love.” ---- “Abiding
in the Lord’s love” is receiving the refreshment and motivation of
the Lord’s love
and regarding the Lord’s love as the basic motivation of our
daily life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We should feel the Lord’s love continually
and enjoy this love in
our life.
2) For the love of the
Christ constrains us
having judged this: that one died for all
and then all
have died. And he died for all
that they who live should no longer live to
themselves
but to him who died for them and has been raised (see 2Cor5:14-15).
3) Only abiding in the
love of the Lord will have more chance to enjoy the Lord’s love and love others by such love of the
Lord.
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.
”
YLT: “if my
commandments ye may keep
ye shall remain in my love
according as I the
commands of my Father have kept
and do remain in His love;”
Literal
Meaning: “If you keep My commandments”
when believers
abides in the Lord
the word of the Lord also abides in us (see v.7). Then the
Lord’s word has become his commandment that we should keep.
“You
will abide in My love”
the basic
motivation of keeping the Lord’s commandment is the Lord’s love. Only abiding in
the Lord’s love will enable us to keep the Lord’s word.
“Just
as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” ---- The Lord’s word indicates that: (1)
He sets Himself as an example to others and takes the lead in keeping the commandment
of the Father. (2) His experience has proved that keeping the commandment of
the Father will surely abide in the Lord’s love. (3) His commandment is not
difficult to keep
just as the Father’s commandment is not difficult to keep
too. (4) His love is precious
just as the Father’s love is precious too.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who has not kept the
commandment has no love. Keeping the commandment and love are indispensible.
2) Life that is jointed to
the Lord is a life guided by love. This life shows the obedience to the Lord’s commandment
thus the Lord’s love in us has been manifested.
3) How the Father sees
Christ
Christ will see us in like manner. How the Father loves Christ
Christ
will love us likewise.
John. 15:11 “"These things I have
spoken to you
that My joy may remain in you
and that your joy may be full. ”
YLT: “these things I
have spoken to you
that my joy in you may remain
and your joy may be full.”
Literal
Meaning: “these things I have spoken
to you”
“these things”
refer to the matters concerning “abiding in the Lord” and “abiding in the Lord’s
love”.
“That
My joy may remain in you”
note that “My joy”
is the Lord’s joy. It pointes that: (1) “abiding in the Lord” and “abiding in the Lord’s
love” will bring joy to the Lord. (2) The Lord’s joy will be transferred into
us and have immediate influence to ourselves
and thus we may have the Lord’s
joy fulfilled in us (see 17:13).
“And that your joy may be full”
it
indicates that: (1) whether the joy
of the Lord can remain in Christians or not decides whether Christians have joy or not. A man without the Lord’s joy has no joy. (2) Our joy produced by the Lord’s
joy is full joy.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord’s joy is out of the heaven
which is not
easily effected by the earthly environment.
2) Love is the origin of
joy. If we want to taste the joy
we shall only let us be immersed in the Lord’s love.
3) The way of Christians
should never be covered with dark clouds
for the Lord is willing to let us be
filled with His joy.
John. 15:12 “This is My commandment
that you love one another as I have loved you. ”
YLT: “`This is my
command
that ye love one another
according as I did love you;”
Literal
Meaning: “you love one another”
“love”: the divine love (agapao)
the sacrificing
love. “Loving one another” of the believers is different from that of the world
(see 13:34).
“As I
have loved you”
the Lord’s love
is the model and standard of loving one another for believers.
“This
is My commandment.” ---- In other
words
if we have the two conditions as below
we have already disobeyed the
Lord’s commandment: (1) we have not loved one another. (2) We do not love
others as we love the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Love hangs the
commandments
and love is the greatest commandment of the law (see Matt
22:37-40).
2) Whether a man loves
God or not can be judged from his love to others. For he that does love his
brother whom he has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen (see 1John
4:20)?
3) There are
three points concerning loving one another of believers: (1) they love in the
same life of the Lord. (2) They love in the same love of the Lord. (3) They
love in the same commission of the Lord.
John. 15:13 “Greater love has no one
than this
than to lay down one's life for his friends. ”
YLT: “greater love
than this hath no one
that any one his life may lay down for his friends;”
Meaning
of Words: “life”:
soul
Literal
Meaning: “lay down one's life for his
friends”
“friends” refers
to those who the Lord loves.
“Greater
love has no one than this”
it is the
greatest action of love that one dies for his beloved ones. According to the
context
it does not emphasize men’s love sacrificing for men
but the Lord’s
life
which is sacrificed because of love
is matchless and surpassing.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The love of Christ is not
only manifested in His words
but also His sacrificing death. Let us not love
with word
nor with tongue
but in deed and in truth (1John 3:18).
2) For scarcely for
just will one die
for perhaps for good some one might also dare to die. But
God commends his love to us
in that
we being still sinners
Christ has died
for us (Rom 5:7-8).
John. 15:14 “You are My friends if you
do whatever I command you. ”
YLT: “ye are my
friends
if ye may do whatever I command you;”
Literal
Meaning: keeping what the
Lord has commanded is the necessary condition and responsibility for a man to
be the Lord’s friend.
John. 15:15 “No longer do I call you
servants
for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have
called you friends
for all things that I heard from My Father I have made
known to you. ”
YLT: “no more do I
call you servants
because the servant hath not known what his lord doth
and
you I have called friends
because all things that I heard from my Father
I
did make known to you.”
Literal
Meaning: “a servant does not know
what his master is doing”
a servant usually
does what his master commands
but many times is ignorant of the master’s
heart.
“But I
have called you friends”
the relationship
of friend is based on the mutual trust and love. They withhold nothing from
each other
pour out their heart
and share their personal feeling without any preservation.
They discuss any matter together.
“For
all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you”
it means that they have been guided by
the Lord to know the will of God the Father
and have received the divine truth
and teaching. Such grace is unduplicated ever before.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “But I have called you friends”
the Lord called us “friends” ---- it on one hand shows that how humble
the Lord is
since He comes to be in the same status with us. On the other
hand
it unveils that He shows mercy to us on everything
sympathizes with us
helps us and even “delivers His life” to us (see v.13).
2) Men usually desire to be
the Lord’s friends instead of
the Lord’s servants. In fact
if a man wants to be the Lord’s
friend
he shall be His servant first. He who is unwilling to be the Lord’s servant shall not be the Lord’s friend. The true servant of the Lord is
the true friend of Him.
3) We shall be the
Lord’s servants as well
as His friends. We should not only be the fellow-workmen of the Lord together
but also be of the same mind with Him
as well as abide with Him and walk with
Him.
John. 15:16 “You did not choose Me
but
I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit
and that your
fruit should remain
that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give
you. ”
YLT: “`Ye did not
choose out me
but I chose out you
and did appoint you
that ye might go away
and might bear fruit
and your fruit might remain
that whatever ye may ask of
the Father in my name
He may give you.”
Meaning
of Words: “choose”: make choice
select;
“appoint”: ordain
put
set (forth)
settle;
Literal
Meaning: “You did not choose Me
but
I chose you”
among the Jews
the disciples usually chose the rabbis whom they wanted to follow. However
the
Lord’s disciples were different
for the Lord chose them Himself.
“And
appointed you that you should go and bear
fruit”
having been
chosen
disciples should be appointed before working for the Lord
namely
the
stage of being appointed. Note that the word of “go” in the original carries a
meaning of “departing for another place”. Therefore
“bearing fruit” here
emphasizes the fruit of the spiritual works ---- to bring men to believe the
Lord
not the fruit of disposition.
“And that your fruit should remain”
the works of believers follow with
them for ever (see Rev 14:13)
so the fruit of bringing men to believe the Lord
remains for ever (see Luke 16:9).
“In My name”
the Lord’s name is the Lord Himself. Therefore
in the
name of the Lord means being jointed to the Lord and withdrawing the authority
of the Lord in Him.
“Whatever you ask the Father He may give you”
note that we usually
expect good praying life so that we can bear more fruit. However
here the
order is contrary ---- the Lord firstly makes us bear fruit
and then the
Father in the heaven hears our prayer.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We follow the Lord
for the Lord has chosen us
not for occasional reasons.
2) It is not because
we have good insight to choose the Lord
but the Lord has chosen us first in
His eternal love. The gifts and the calling of God are not subject to
repentance (see Rom11:29).
3) We shall not only
go out to bring men to believe the Lord (“go and bear fruit”)
but also look after and feed believers
who have been just granted the grace
thus they can not stumble (the fruit should remain).
4) Ask in the Lord’s name means that we will be jointed to the
Lord concerning what we have prayed. Only praying in this way shall be serviceable
to the Lord and easy to receive the answer and fulfillment of the Lord.
5) When we come to
approach the Lord
we can not pray in ourselves
for our natural life is
unacceptable to God. Therefore
we should pray in the Lord and in His name
thus
our prayer will be granted.
6) If we want to ask
in the name of the Lord
we should have intimate fellowship with Him.
Otherwise
we will not understand the Lord’s will. The closer we are to the Lord
the
more we will know His will.
John. 15:17 “These things I command you
that you love one another. ”
YLT: “`These things I
command you
that ye love one another;”
Literal
Meaning: there some Bible
exegetes hold that this verse is not the conclusion of verse 16
but its
foundation. Only by “loving one another”
believers can: (1) bear fruit that
remains; (2) experience that their prayers are granted by God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Love is the motivation of
keeping what the Lord has commanded. Love is also the necessary condition of
fulfilling the Lord’s
commission.
2) The Lord asked His
disciples to love each other
for they must be hated by men in the world (see
v.18). Therefore
we should use love to testify that we are different from the
world.
John. 15:18 “"If the world hates
you
you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ”
YLT: “if the world
doth hate you
ye know that it hath hated me before you;”
Literal
Meaning: “If the world hates you”
“the world”
it refers to the system that
Satan uses to withstand God. Here
it especially refers to the religious world.
“It
hated you”
“hate”
the
perfect tense in the original presented a fixed attitude
which was continual
and so this “hating” attitude was extended to His disciples. The “hating”
attitude carries a meaning of “rejection”.
John. 15:19 “If you were of the world
the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world
but I chose
you out of the world
therefore the world hates you. ”
YLT: “if of the world
ye were
the world its own would have been loving
and because of the world ye
are not -- but I chose out of the world -- because of this the world hateth
you.”
Literal
Meaning: “If you were of the world”
the main distinct point of believer is
his new life of God
so they are different from those who reject God.
Enlightenment
in the Word: once we have been
jointed to Christ
our relationships with the world have been automatically
broken off. That’s why the world hates us. Therefore
even the persecutions may
prove that we have been truly jointed to Christ. As far as one’s experience
concerned
if he has none scars of being persecuted
he may have lost the union
with the Lord.
John. 15:20 “Remember the word that I
said to you
"A servant is not greater than his master.' If they
persecuted Me
they will also persecute you. If they kept My word
they will
keep yours also. ”
YLT: “`Remember the
word that I said to you
A servant is not greater than his lord; if me they did
persecute
you also they will persecute; if my word they did keep
yours also
they will keep;”
Literal
Meaning: “A servant is not greater
than his master.” ---- Since we are
the servants of the Lord
we shall not expect the world treat us better that
the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “A servant is not greater
than his master.' If they persecuted Me
they will also persecute you.” ----
If we are persecuted by the world
it is not abnormal. Instead
it proves that
we are of the Lord
so we have the same experience with the Lord. The Lord says blessed is he who is
persecuted
and so rejoices (see Matt 5:10-12).
2) All the children of
God are servants of God. The words of the Lord tell us that “a
servant is not greater than his master”. Therefore
as the way of the Lord on the earth is
so are ours on the earth. Everything that He had suffered on the earth
we
would also suffer afterwards.
John. 15:21 “But all these things they
will do to you for My name's sake
because they do not know Him who sent Me. ”
YLT: “but all these
things will they do to you
because of my name
because they have not known Him
who sent me;”
Literal
Meaning: “for My name's sake”
the Lord’s name stands for the Lord and
all the teachings of Him. When believers bear witness of the Lord’s name and
walk like Him
the world must hate them.
“All
these things they will do to you”
“all these
things” refer to all the
things about hating and persecuting the disciples. Since Christians are not of
the world
persecutions from the world are unavoidable. The most fundamental
reason is that the world refuses and does not know the Father (see 16:3).
John. 15:22 “If I had not come and
spoken to them
they would have no sin
but now they have no excuse for their
sin. ”
YLT: “if I had not
come and spoken to them
they were not having sin; but now pretext they have
not for their sin.”
Meaning
of Words: “excuse”:
pretext
pretence;
Literal
Meaning: “If I had not come and
spoken to them”
they had seen the
Son of God
and had heard His words.
“But
now they have no excuse for their sin”
right and responsibility are linked together. The Jews had the privilege of the
presence of the Son of God
and had received the special revelation of God from
the Old Testament. Therefore
their rejection of the Lord condemned them
and
they had no excuse. If the Lord Jesus had not come to them
they were still
sinners
but did not have the sin of refusing the Lord directly (see v.24).
Enlightenment
in the Word: if men disobey the
Lord’s word because of ignorance
it is sin. However
if they still disobey
even though they have known the Lord’s word
their sin is even worse.
John. 15:23 “He who hates Me hates My
Father also. ”
YLT: “`He who is
hating me
doth hate also my Father;”
John. 15:24 “If I had not done among
them the works which no one else did
they would have no sin; but now they have
seen and also hated both Me and My Father. ”
YLT: “if I did not do
among them the works that no other hath done
they were not having sin
and now
they have both seen and hated both me and my Father;”
John. 15:25 “But this happened that the
word might be fulfilled which is written in their law
"They hated Me
without a cause.'”
YLT: “but -- that the
word may be fulfilled that was written in their law -- They hated me without a
cause.”
Meaning
of Words: “without a cause”: freely
for nothing
in vain
Literal
Meaning: “the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law”
“their law” here generally
refers to the Old Testament. Even though the sinners thought they have
perfectly rebelled against the Lord
the determinate counsel of God would
ultimately be fulfilled.
“They hated Me without a cause.” ---- It is quoted from the Book of
Psalm (35:19; 69:4).
John. 15:26 “"But when the Helper
comes
whom I shall send to you from the Father
the Spirit of truth who
proceeds from the Father
He will testify of Me. ”
YLT: “`And when the
Comforter may come
whom I will send to you from the Father -- the Spirit of
truth
who from the Father doth come forth
he will testify of me;”
Literal
Meaning: “the Spirit of truth who
proceeds from the Father”
“from the Father”
in the original it means not only “from” the
Father
but also “with” the Father. The Holy Spirit comes to us and has not
left the Father who is the origin
but comes to us with the Father together.
“When the
Helper comes
He will testify of Me.”
---- The main work of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of Christ
and He
testifies in this way: (1) to be our Helper ---- who helps and defends us when
we are persecuted (see v.18-25). (2) To be the truth of the Father and the Son
---- who reveals God and Christ to us and enables us to experience the reality
of the divine Trinity.
Enlightenment
in the Word: the Lord Jesus was
the first Helper sent by God (see 1John 2:1). When he ascended to the heaven
He sent the Holy Spirit to be the second Helper ---- who replaces and
represents the Lord on the earth. In fact
the Holy Spirit who is the Helper is
the embodiment of Christ. He comes to abide in us
bears witness of Christ
reveals Christ into us
makes us know Him and is our life.
John. 15:27 “And you also will bear
witness
because you have been with Me from the beginning.”
YLT: “and ye also do
testify
because from the beginning ye are with me.”
Literal
Meaning: “And you also will bear
witness”
this is emphatic.
Believers receive the testimony of Christ that is borne by the Holy Spirit (see
v.26)
and thus they will also bear witness of Christ.
“Because you have been with Me from the beginning.” ---- The word “because”
indicates that the apostles are responsible to bear witness
for they are especially
chosen and taught by Christ and are the eye-witnesses of His glory. “From the
beginning” referred to the time when the Lord came to preach openly.
Enlightenment
in the Word: the Holy Spirit
comes to
testify of Christ (see v.26).
We have been jointed to Christ in the Holy Spirit in order to bear witness of
Christ. Therefore
the union with the Lord is not only to resolve our problems
---- to receive the infinite origin
but also to fulfill the glorious will of
God ---- the testimony of Christ. If we have seen this mystery
we must be
willing to and be able to fulfill this divine commission.
III. Outlines of the Spiritual
Lessons
I. The Three Great
Relationships of Christians
A.
The relationship
with Christ (v.1-11).
B.
The relationship
with believers (v.12-17).
C.
The relationship
with the world (v.18-27).
II.The Conditions of Bearing Fruit
A.
In the Lord (v.2a).
B.
Being pruned by the Lord (v.2b-3).
C.
Abiding in the Lord
(v.4)
D.
The Lord is also in
him (v.5).
E.
The Lord’s words abide in him
and his pray is granted (v.7-8).
F.
Obeying the Lord
(v.16).
III. The Different
Situations of Bearing Fruit
A.
Bearing fruit (v.2b).
B.
Bearing much fruit (v.2c).
C.
Bearing more fruit (v.5
8).
D.
Remaining fruit (v.16).
IV. The Purposes of
Bearing Fruit
A. He will not be taken away (v.2) ---- to keep
the fellowship of life.
B. Glorifying God (v.8a) ---- to manifest God.
C. Proving that he is the disciple of Christ
(v.8b) ---- to manifest Christ.
D. Making the fruit remain (v.16 b).
E. Whatever I ask anything in the Lord’s name
He
will do it (v.16c).
V. The Meanings of
Abiding in the Lord
A. Keeping the union of life with the Lord (v.4)
B. Having the Lord’s words (v.7a)
C. Being of the same mind with the Lord through
praying (v.7b).
D. Abiding in the love of the Lord and keeping
the commandment of the Lord (v.9-10).
E. Being the friends of the Lord and knowing
what He is doing (v.14-15).
VI. The Several “Abiding”s
in This Chapter
A. Abiding in the Lord (v. 4a).
B. The Lord abides in us (v.4b).
C. The Lord’s words abide in us (v.7b).
D. Abiding in the Lord’s love (v.10).
E. The Lord’s joy remains in us (v.11).
F. The fruit that has borne “remains” (which is
“abide” in Greek) (v.16)
VII. The Signals of
Abiding in the Lord
A. The Positive Signals:
1. The Lord abides in him (v.4-5) ---- he has
the obvious presence of the Lord.
2. The one will bear more fruit (v.5) ---- the
divine life has been manifested
and the glad tidings have been preached.
3. The Lord’s words abide in him (v.7b) ---- he
usually obtains the revelation and guidance of the Lord’s words.
4. He asks
and it shall be done for him (v.7c)
---- the prayer is efficacious.
5. The one abides in the love of the Lord
(v.9-10) ---- he is often moved by the Lord’s love.
6. Keeping the Lord’s commandment (v.10) ----
he is able to keep the Lord’s words.
7. The Lord’s love remains in us
and our joy
may be full (v.11)
8. Loving one another (v.12).
9. Being the Lord’s friends and knowing what
the Lord is doing (v.13-15).
10. Bearing witness of the Lord (v.27).
B. The Negative Signals:
1. Being hated by the world (v.18-19).
2. Being persecuted by the world (v.20).
VIII. The Advantages of
Abiding in the Lord
A. Bearing more fruit (v.5).
B. The Lord’s words abide in us (v.7b).
C. We will ask what we desire
and it shall be
done for us (v.7b).
IX. The Relationships of the Lord With the
Believers
A. The vine and the branches (v.5) ---- the
relationship concerning the inner life
B. The teacher and the disciples (v.8) ---- the
relationship concerning the way
C. Friends (v.14-15) ---- the relationship
concerning the life.
D. The master and the servant (v.15) ---- the
relationship concerning the work.
X. Three Special
Blessings for Believers
A. Their prayers must be fulfilled (v.7
16c).
B. Their joy shall be full (v.11).
C. Their fruit shall remain (v.16b).
XI. The Effects of
Loving One Another
A. The Lord’s joy may remain in us (v.11a).
B. Our joy may be full (v.11b).
C. Keeping the Lord’s commandment (v.12).
D. Being the Lord’s friends (v.13-15).
E. Whatever we ask God in the Lord’s name He
may give us (v.16-17).
XII. The Testimony of the
Lord’s Love
A. He laid down His life for believers (v.13).
B. He revealed all things about the Father to
believers (v.15).
C. He chose and appointed the believers (v.16).
XIII. The Reasons that the
World Hated Christians
A. For they hate Christ (v.18).
B. For Christians are not of the world (v.19).
C. For they persecute the Lord (v.20).
D. For they do not know God (v.21).
E. For they hate without a cause (v.25).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou