John:15

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* Verse 1-8 - Jesus Christ is the Vine , the true Vine . The union of the human and Divine natures , and the fulness of the Spirit that is in him , resemble the root of the vine made fruitful by the moisture from a rich soil . Believers are branches of this Vine . The root is unseen , and our life is hid with Christ ; the root bears the tree , diffuses sap to it , and in Christ are all supports and supplies . The branches of the vine are many , yet , meeting in the root , are all but one vine ; thus all true Christians , though in place and opinion distant from each other , meet in Christ . Believers , like the branches of the vine , are weak , and unable to stand but as they are borne up . The Father is the Husbandman . Never was any husbandman so wise , so watchful , about his vineyard , as God is about his church , which therefore must prosper . We must be fruitful . From a vine we look for grapes , and from a Christian we look for a Christian temper , disposition , and life . We must honour God , and do good ; this is bearing fruit . The unfruitful are taken away . And even fruitful branches need pruning ; for the best have notions , passions , and humours , that require to be taken away , which Christ has promised to forward the sanctification of believers , they will be thankful , for them . The word of Christ is spoken to all believers ; and there is a cleansing virtue in that word , as it works grace , and works out corruption . And the more fruit we bring forth , the more we abound in what is good , the more our Lord is glorified . In order to fruitfulness , we must abide in Christ , must have union with him by faith . It is the great concern of all Christ 's disciples , constantly to keep up dependence upon Christ , and communion with him . True Christians find by experience , that any interruption in the exercise of their faith , causes holy affections to decline , their corruptions to revive , and their comforts to droop . Those who abide not in Christ , though they may flourish for awhile in outward profession , yet come to nothing . The fire is the fittest place for withered branches ; they are good for nothing else . Let us seek to live more simply on the fulness of Christ , and to grow more fruitful in every good word and work , so may our joy in Him and in his salvation be full . * Verse 9-17 - Those whom God loves as a Father , may despise the hatred of all the world . As the Father loved Christ , who was most worthy , so he loved his disciples , who were unworthy . All that love the Saviour should continue in their love to him , and take all occasions to show it . The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment , but the joy of those who abide in Christ 's love is a continual feast . They are to show their love to him by keeping his commandments . If the same power that first shed abroad the love of Christ 's in our hearts , did not keep us in that love , we should not long abide in it . Christ 's love to us should direct us to love each other . He speaks as about to give many things in charge , yet names this only ; it includes many duties . * Verse 18-25 - How little do many persons think , that in opposing the doctrine of Christ as our Prophet , Priest , and King , they prove themselves ignorant of the one living and true God , whom they profess to worship ! The name into which Christ 's disciples were baptized , is that which they will live and die by . It is a comfort to the greatest sufferers , if they suffer for Christ 's name 's sake . The world 's ignorance is the true cause of its hatred to the disciples of Jesus . The clearer and fuller the discoveries of the grace and truth of Christ , the greater is our sin if we do not love him and believe in him . mhcc @John:15:26 ,27 . @ Verse 26 ,27 . - The blessed Spirit will maintain the cause of Christ in the world , notwithstanding the opposition it meets with . Believers taught and encouraged by his influences , would bear testimony to Christ and his salvation . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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