rwp - John:15:1-17

rwp@John:15:1 @{The true vine} (\h ampelos h althin\). "The vine the genuine." Assuming that the Lord's Supper had just been instituted by Jesus the metaphor of the vine is naturally suggested by "the fruit of the vine" (Mark:14:25; strkjv@Matthew:26:29|). \Ampelos\ in the papyri (Moulton and Milligan's _Vocabulary_) is sometimes used in the sense of _ampeln_ (vineyard), but not so here. Jesus uses various metaphors to illustrate himself and his work (the light, strkjv@8:12|; the door, strkjv@10:7|; the shepherd, strkjv@10:11|; the vine, strkjv@15:1|). The vine was common in Palestine. See strkjv@Psalms:80:8f|. "On the Maccabean coinage Israel was represented by a vine" (Dods). Jesus is the genuine Messianic vine. {The husbandman} (\ho gergos\) as in strkjv@Mark:12:1; strkjv@James:5:7; strkjv@2Timothy:2:6|. cf. strkjv@1Corinthians:3:9|, \theou gergion\ (God's field).

rwp@John:15:2 @{Branch} (\klma\). Old word from \kla\, to break, common in LXX for offshoots of the vine, in N.T. only here (verses 2-6|), elsewhere in N.T. \klados\ (Mark:4:32|, etc.), also from \kla\, both words meaning tender and easily broken parts. {In me} (\en emoi\). Two kinds of connexion with Christ as the vine (the merely cosmic which bears no fruit, the spiritual and vital which bears fruit). The fruitless (not bearing fruit, \m pheron karpon\) the vine-dresser "takes away" (\airei\) or prunes away. Probably (Bernard) Jesus here refers to Judas. {Cleanseth} (\kathairei\). Present active indicative of old verb \kathair\ (clean) as in verse 3|, only use in N.T., common in the inscriptions for ceremonial cleansing, though \kathariz\ is more frequent (Hebrews:10:2|). {That it may bear more fruit} (\hina karpon pleiona pheri\). Purpose clause with \hina\ and present active subjunctive of \pher\, "that it may keep on bearing more fruit" (more and more). A good test for modern Christians and church members.

rwp@John:15:3 @{Already ye are clean} (\d humeis katharoi este\). Potentially cleansed (Westcott) as in strkjv@13:10| which see and strkjv@17:19|.

rwp@John:15:4 @{Abide in me} (\meinate en emoi\). Constative aorist active imperative of \men\. The only way to continue "clean" (pruned) and to bear fruit is to maintain vital spiritual connexion with Christ (the vine). Judas is gone and Satan will sift the rest of them like wheat (Luke:22:31f.|). Blind complacency is a peril to the preacher. {Of itself} (\aph' heautou\). As source (from itself) and apart from the vine (cf. strkjv@17:17|). {Except it abide} (\ean m meni\). Condition of third class with \ean\, negative \m\, and present active (keep on abiding) subjunctive of \men\. Same condition and tense in the application, "except ye abide in me."

rwp@John:15:5 @{Ye the branches} (\humeis ta klmata\). Jesus repeats and applies the metaphor of verse 1|. {Apart from me} (\chris emou\). See strkjv@Ephesians:2:12| for \chris Christou\. There is nothing for a broken off branch to do but wither and die. For the cosmic relation of Christ see strkjv@John:1:3| (\chris autou\).

rwp@John:15:6 @{He is cast forth} (\eblth ex\). Timeless or gnomic use of the first aorist passive indicative of \ball\ as the conclusion of a third-class condition (see also verses 4,7| for the same condition, only constative aorist subjunctive \meinte\ and \meini\ in verse 7|). The apostles are thus vividly warned against presumption. Jesus as the vine will fulfil his part of the relation as long as the branches keep in vital union with him. {As a branch} (\hs to klma\). {And is withered} (\exranth\). Another timeless first aorist passive indicative, this time of \xrain\, same timeless use in strkjv@James:1:11| of grass, old and common verb. They gather (\sunagousin\). Plural though subject not expressed, the servants of the vine-dresser gather up the broken off branches. {Are burned} (\kaietai\). Present passive singular of \kai\, to burn, because \klmata\ (branches) is neuter plural. See this vivid picture also in strkjv@Matthew:13:41f.,49f|.

rwp@John:15:7 @{Ask whatsoever ye will} (\ho ean thelte aitsasthe\). Indefinite relative with \ean\ and present active subjunctive of \thel\, to wish, to will, and aorist middle imperative of \aite\, to ask. This astounding command and promise (\gensetai\, future middle of \ginomai\, it will come to pass) is not without conditions and limitations. It involves such intimate union and harmony with Christ that nothing will be asked out of accord with the mind of Christ and so of the Father. Christ's name is mentioned in strkjv@15:16|; cf. strkjv@14:13; strkjv@16:23|.

rwp@John:15:8 @{Herein} (\en touti\). That is in the vital union and the much fruit bearing. It points here backwards and forwards. {Is glorified} (\edoxasth\). Another gnomic or timeless first aorist passive indicative. {Bear} (\pherete\). Present active subjunctive, "keep on bearing" much fruit. {And so shall ye be} (\kai gensesthe\). Rather "become." Future middle indicative of \ginomai\, though B D L read \gensthe\ (after \hina\ like \pherte\). "Become" my disciples (learners) in the fullest sense of rich fruit-bearing according to the text in

rwp@John:15:9 @{Abide} (\meinate\). Constative first aorist active imperative of \men\, summing up the whole. {In my love} (\en ti agapi ti emi\). Subjunctive possessive pronoun, "in the love that I have for you." Our love for Christ is the result of Christ's love for us and is grounded at bottom in the Father's love for the world (3:16|). John has \emos\ 37 times and always in the words of Jesus (Bernard). But he uses \mou\ also (verse 10|).

rwp@John:15:10 @{Ye will abide} (\meneite\). Future tense of \men\, conclusion of the third-class condition (\ean\ and first aorist active subjunctive \trste\). The correlative of strkjv@14:15|. Each involves the other (love and keeping the commandments of Jesus). {And abide} (\kai men\). The high example of Jesus (the Son) in relation to the Father is set before us as the goal.

rwp@John:15:11 @{That my joy may be in you} (\hina h chara h em en humin i\). Purpose clause with \hina\ and the present subjunctive \i\ (some MSS. have \meini\, may remain), Christ's permanent absolute joy in the disciples. {And that your joy be fulfilled} (\Kai h chara humn plrthi\). Same construction with first aorist (effective) passive subjunctive of \plro\, consummation of the process preceding.

rwp@John:15:12 @{That ye love one another} (\hina agapte alllous\). Non-final use of \hina\, introducing a subject clause in apposition with \entol\ (commandment) and the present active subjunctive of \agapa\, "that ye keep on loving one another." See strkjv@13:34|.

rwp@John:15:13 @{Than this} (\tauts\). Ablative case after the comparative adjective \meizona\ and feminine agreeing with \ts agaps\ (love) understood. {That a man lay down his life} (\hina tis tn psuchn autou thi\). Object clause (non-final use of \hina\ in apposition with the ablative pronoun \tauts\ and the second aorist active subjunctive of \tithmi\. For the phrase see strkjv@10:11| of the good shepherd. Cf. strkjv@1John:3:16; strkjv@Romans:5:7f|. {For his friends} (\huper tn philn autou\). "In behalf of his friends" and so "in place of his friends." "Self-sacrifice is the high-water mark of love" (Dods). For this use of \huper\ see strkjv@John:11:50; strkjv@Galatians:3:13; strkjv@2Corinthians:5:14f.; strkjv@Romans:5:7f|.

rwp@John:15:14 @{If ye do} (\ean poite\). Condition of third class with \ean\ and the present active subjunctive, "if ye keep on doing," not just spasmodic obedience. Just a different way of saying what is in verse 10|. Obedience to Christ's commands is a prerequisite to discipleship and fellowship (spiritual friendship with Christ). He repeats it in the Great Commission (Matthew:28:20|, \eneteilamn\, I commanded) with the very word used here (\entellomai\, I command).

rwp@John:15:15 @{No longer} (\ouketi\). As he had done in strkjv@13:16|. He was their Rabbi (1:38; strkjv@13:13|) and Lord (13:13|). Paul gloried in calling himself Christ's \doulos\ (bond-slave). {Servants} (\doulous\). Bond-servants, slaves. {I have called you friends} (\humas eirka philous\). Perfect active indicative, permanent state of new dignity. They will prove worthy of it by continued obedience to Christ as Lord, by being good \douloi\. Abraham was called the Friend of God (James:2:23|). Are we friends of Christ?

rwp@John:15:16 @{But I chose you} (\all' eg exelexamn humas\). First aorist middle indicative of \ekleg\. See this same verb and tense used for the choice of the disciples by Christ (6:70; strkjv@13:18; strkjv@15:19|). Jesus recognizes his own responsibility in the choice after a night of prayer (Luke:6:13|). Songs:Paul was "a vessel of choice" (\skeuos eklogs\, strkjv@Acts:9:15|). Appointed (\ethka\). First aorist active indicative (\k\ aorist) of \tithmi\. Note three present active subjunctives with \hina\ (purpose clause) to emphasize continuance (\hupagte\, keep on going, \pherte\, keep on bearing fruit, \meni\, keep on abiding), not a mere spurt, but permanent growth and fruit-bearing. {He may give} (\di\). Second aorist active subjunctive of \didmi\ with \hina\ (purpose clause). Cf. strkjv@14:13| for the same purpose and promise, but with \pois\ (I shall do). See also strkjv@16:23f.,26|.

rwp@John:15:17 @{That ye may love one another} (\hina agapte alllous\). Repetition of strkjv@13:34; strkjv@15:12|. This very night the disciples had been guilty of jealousy and wrangling (Luke:22:24; strkjv@John:13:5,15|).