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??JOHN 15

JOHN 15

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
Jesus the True Vine The True Vine The Pattern of the Christian Believer's Life Jesus the Real Vine The True Vine
15:1-10 15:1-8 15:1-11 15:1-4 15:1-17
  Love and Joy Perfected   15:5-10  
  15:9-17      
15:11-17     15:11-17  
    15:12-17    
The World's Hatred The World's Hatred   The World's Hatred The Disciples and the World
        15:18-16:4a
15:18-25 15:18-25 15:18-25 15:18-25  
  The Coming Rejection      
15:26-16:4a 15:26-16:4 15:26-27 15:26-16:4a  

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO JOHN 15:1-27

  1. This is a wonderful and troubling passage! It gives believers great encouragement of God's love and the promise of effectiveness, but it also has dire warnings! Theological traditions are so difficult to discuss in this area; let me quote one of my favorite commentators, F. F. Bruce in his book Answers to Questions.

    John 15:4,6. 'What is meant by the expressions "unless you abide" and "if a man does not abide" in John 15:4,6? Is it possible not to abide in Christ?'

    Passages like these are not difficult in themselves; the difficulty arises when we try to make them and other Scriptures square with our theology, instead of using them as the basis for our theology. At the very time when our Lord was speaking there was a glaring example of one who failed to abide in Him—Judas Iscariot, who had just left them. Judas was chosen as his eleven colleagues were (Luke 6:13; John 6:70); their association with the Lord brought them no privileges which were not equally open to him. The plain passages of Scripture which teach the final perseverance of the saints should not be misused as an excuse for soft-pedaling the equally plain passages which speak of the danger of apostasy" (pp. 71-72).

    SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY

  2. It is surprising how many AORIST TENSES are used in this context where one would theologically expect PRESENT TENSES. The AORISTS seem to be used in the sense of summing up all of one's life and viewing it as a whole. The AORIST TENSE is the most plastic of all the Greek VERB TENSES.
    SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK GRAMMATICAL TERMS, I. C.

  3. The paragraph divisions of John 15 are uncertain. John, like 1 John, is a tapestry of various colors. The patterns appear again and again.

  4. The term "abide" (menō) is used in the NT about 112 times. Forty of these appear in John's Gospel and 26 in his letters. This is a major theological term for John. Although John 15 is the classic expression of Jesus' mandate that we abide in Him, this term has a wider focus in John.
    1. the Law abides forever (Matt. 5:17-18)
    2. the Christ abides forever (Matt. 12:34)
    3. the book of Hebrews points toward a new means of revelation, not through a servant but through an abiding Son (Heb. 1:1-3, so too, John 8:35)
    4. Jesus is said to provide food that abides (John 6:27)
    5. Jesus produces fruit that abides (John 15:16). Both of these images (i.e., #4, 5) express the same truth, our need for Christ both:
      1. initially
      2. continuously (cf. John 6:53)
    6. John the Baptist saw the Spirit coming down and abiding on Jesus at His baptism (John 1:32)

  5. Please look at the crucial theological SPECIAL TOPIC: "ABIDING" IN JOHN'S WRITINGS.

  6. In John 15:11-16 the disciples are promised Jesus' joy, while in John 15:17-27 the disciples are promised Jesus' persecution. The context of persecution runs through John 16:4a. However, through it all believers are to love one another as He loved them!

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

?JOHN 15:1-11

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOHN 15:1-11
 1"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4Abide 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. 5I 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. 6If 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. 7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

15:1 "I am the true vine" This is one of Jesus' famous "I Am" statements in John's Gospel (cf. John 4:26; 6:35; 8:12; 10:7,9,10,11,14; 11:25; 14:6). In the OT the grapevine was a symbol of Israel ( Ps. 80:8-16; Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 15; 19:10; Hosea 10:1; Matt. 21:33ff; Mark 12:1-12, Rom. 11:17ff). In the OT these examples always have a negative connotation. Jesus affirms that He was the Ideal Israelite (cf. Isa. 52:13-53:12). As Paul used the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the building of God as imagery for the church, so John used the vine. This implies that the church is the true Israel because of its relationship to Jesus, the true vine, (cf. Gal. 6:16; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6). See note at John 8:12.

Some interpreters have asserted that the upper room discourse ends with John 14:31, "let us go from here." If so, then John 15-17 was taught along the way to Gethsemane. Again, if so, then possibly the "vine" imagery was a visual sign taken from the golden vines on the temple buildings as Jesus and the eleven walked through its courts that night.

SPECIAL TOPIC: "TRUE" (the term) IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

▣ "and My Father is the vinedresser" Again Jesus affirms His intimate relationship with the Father and at the same time His subjection to the Father's will.

15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away . . .that bears fruit" The PRESENT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE occurs twice in this verse. Fruit bearing, not germination, is the evidence of salvation (cf. Matt. 7:16,20; 13:18ff; 21:18-22; Luke 6:43-45). The context implies that Jesus was speaking of

  1. Judas' betrayal (cf. John 15:6; 13:10; 17:12)
  2. false disciples (cf. John 2:23-25; 8:30-47; 1 John 2:19; 2 Peter 2)
  3. There are levels of belief in John.

▣ "He prunes it" This is literally "cleanses." The word was used by Philo for pruning grapevines (BDB 386). It is found only here in the NT. It is another word chosen by John for its dual connotations (i.e., pruning and cleansing, cf. John 15:3; 13:10). This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. Suffering has a purpose in believers' lives (cf. John 15:17-22). It maximizes fruit bearing, exposes fakes, and keeps them dependent on God (cf. Matt. 13:20-23; Rom. 8:17; 1 Pet. 4:12-16). For two good practical books on this difficult subject see

  1. Principles of Spiritual Growth by Miles Stanford
  2. The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whithall Smith

It is possible because of the unified context of John 13-17 to relate this cleansing back to the foot washing of chapter 13. They were already bathed (saved), but their feet needed to be washed (continual forgiveness).

This PRESENT TENSE VERB addressed the disciples as 1 John 1:9 seems to confirm. It is not only obedience that is required for "abiding," but also ongoing repentance!

The purpose of suffering in the life of the believer may have several aspects.

  1. develop Christlikeness (cf. Heb. 5:8)
  2. temporal punishment for sin
  3. simply life in a fallen world
  4. a way of sharing Christ's human experience (cf. Rom. 8:17)

It is always difficult to identify God's purpose, but #1 is always a possible result.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?

15:3 "You are already clean" The term "prunes" (kathairō) in John 15:2 is the same Greek root as "clean" (katharos). This entire context develops the evidences of true discipleship. The term "already" is emphasized in the Greek text which gave the remaining eleven disciples confidence of their secure position in Christ (compared to the same root used of Judas Iscariot in John 13:10).

▣ "because of the word which I have spoken to you" This refers to the gospel (cf. John 17:17; Eph. 5:26; 1 Pet. 1:23).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL

15:4
NASB, NKJV  "Abide in Me, and I in you"
NRSV  "Abide in Me, as I abide in you"
TEV  "Remain united to me, and I will remain united in you"
NJB  "Remain in me, as I in you"
REB  "Dwell in me, as I in you"
Peshitta  "Remain with me and I with you"

This is an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE PLURAL (cf. John 6:56; 1 John 2:6). The grammatical question is whether the second phrase is a description or a comparison. Numerous times in this passage the theological doctrinal emphasis on perseverance of the true saint is stressed (cf. John 15:4,5,6,7,9,10,14; Mark 13:13; 1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 6:9; Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7). True salvation is both an initial and a continuous faith and repentance response. This theological truth is often ignored in our enthusiasm for personal assurance of salvation. Biblical assurance is linked to

  1. perseverance in faith
  2. a lifestyle of repentance
  3. ongoing obedience (cf. James and 1 John)
  4. fruit bearing (cf. Matt. 13:23)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE NEED TO PERSEVERE

SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP

SPECIAL TOPIC: "ABIDING" IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

▣ "the branch cannot bear fruit" This shows the priority of divine provision. For "fruit" see note at John 15:5.

▣ "unless it abides. . .unless you abide" These are both THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, which means potential action. Our spiritual effectiveness is inseparably linked to our continuing relationship with Jesus.

15:5 "he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE followed by a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. The continual fellowship (i.e., personal faith relationship) is the source of continual fruit. "Fruit" could refer to believers' attitudes as well as actions (cf. Matt. 7:15-23; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13). Believers are promised effective, lasting fruit if they abide (cf. John 15:16).

SPECIAL TOPIC: "ABIDING" IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

▣ "for apart from Me you can do nothing" This is a strong DOUBLE NEGATIVE. This is a negative statement of the positive truth of John 15:5 and Phil. 4:13.

15:6 "If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. Vine wood was useless for any domestic purpose (firewood) because it burned too fast and too hot (cf. Ezekiel 15). This seems to be a reference to

  1. Judas
  2. possibly Israel
  3. If not, it must refer to false faith (cf. Matt. 13:41-42,50; and 1 John 2:19).

This is surely eschatological imagery! There will be a "gathering day" and a "burning day." How we live reveals the source of our lives (i.e., God or Satan). By ones fruit you know them (cf. Matthew 7; Gal. 6:7).

▣ "fire" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE

15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which means potential action. Prayer is not automatically answered! Jesus switches imagery from Himself abiding in the disciples to His words abiding in the disciples. Jesus reveals the Father and, so too, do His teachings. They are interchangeable sources of revelation (i.e., like Psalm 119). The gospel is both a person and a message.

▣ "ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" This is an AORIST MIDDLE IMPERATIVE (cf. John 15:16). This phrase has been badly proof-texted (i.e., pulled out of its context). Be careful to seek the teaching of all Scripture and do not emphasize isolated texts (cf. note on John 14:13).

SPECIAL TOPIC: PRAYER, UNLIMITED YET LIMITED

15:8 "My Father is glorified" Believers Christlike living brings glory to God and proves that they are true disciples. In John 13:31-32; 14:13; 17:4; and Matt. 9:8; 15:31 the Father was glorified in the Son's work and now in the believer's works (cf. Matt. 5:16). See note at John 1:14.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (doxa, NT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT)

NASB  "so prove to be My disciples"
NKJV  "so you will be My disciples"
NRSV, TEV  "become my disciples"
NJB  "be my disciples"
REB  "so be my disciples"
NIV, Goodspeed  "showing yourselves to be my disciples"
NET  "show that you are my disciples"
JB  "then you will be my disciples"
Peshitta  "and be my disciples"

The differences are caused by a TENSE variation in the VERB.

  1. AORIST SUBJUNCTIVE, MSS P66, B, D, L
  2. FUTURE INDICATIVE, MSS א, A

The lives (fruit) of believers reveal who they are! The VERB TENSE is not as important as the reality of a changed and effective life of love, obedience, and service. These are marks of a true believer! We are not saved by our love, obedience, service (cf. Eph. 2:8,9), but they are the evidence that we are believers (cf. Eph. 2:10).

The term "disciples" is used in John's Gospel to denote those true believers and followers who do God's will and reflect His character. John does not use the term "church" (ekklēsia) even one time, therefore, "disciples" becomes the way he denotes Christian fellowship and gatherings. Discipleship is the daily life of the New Age lived out in the old age. This is why the early church is called "the Way" in Acts. It is supremely characterized by love, light, obedience, and service! By these others know them as Jesus' disciples.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY

SPECIAL TOPIC: DISCIPLES

15:9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you" This chain of loving relationships characterizes God's family.

  1. the Father loves the Son
  2. the Son loves His followers
  3. His followers love one another
  4. true believers love a lost world (cf. John 3:16; Matt. 28:19-20)

▣ "abide in My love" This is an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. Believers are commanded to abide in

  1. prayer (John 15:7; 14:14)
  2. obedience (John 15:10,14,17; 14:15,21,23,24)
  3. joy (John 15:11)
  4. love (John 15:12; 14:21,23,24)

These are all evidences of a personal relationship with God.

SPECIAL TOPIC: "ABIDING" IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

15:10 "If you keep My commandments" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which means potential action. Obedience is evidence of true discipleship (cf. John 8:31; 14:15-21, 23-24; Luke 6:46). Jesus uses it as an example of His fidelity to the Father.

SPECIAL TOPIC: "COMMANDMENT" IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP

▣ "love" This Greek term for love (agapē) was not used much in Classical or Koine Greek literature until the church began to use it in a specialized sense. It began to be used as a description of YHWH's character: selfless, sacrificial, loyal, active love. Love is an action, not an emotion (cf. John 3:16). The NT term agapē is theologically analogous to OT term hesed, which meant covenant love and loyalty.

SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE (agapē)

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed)

▣ "just as I have kept my Father's commandments" This is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. As Jesus relates to the Father, believers are to relate to Him. There is a unity between Father and Son that is meant to be reproduced among believers (cf. John 14:23; 17).

15:11 "your joy may be made full" Believers are to have Jesus' joy (cf. John 17:13). Joy is another evidence of true discipleship (cf. John 15:11 [twice]; 16:20,21,22,24; 17:13). In this world there are pain and crises; in Christ there is joy, full joy, His joy.

The NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 741, has a good comment about how "joy" and "full" are used together in John's writings.

"In Jn. and the Johannine letters there is a frequent connection between → joy (chara) as a subject and the vb. plēroō in the pass., to be filled. This joy is the joy of Jesus (Jn. 15:11; 17:13) which he brings through his coming (3:29), his words (15:11; 17:13), and his return (16:22) to his disciples (15:11; 17:13). It replaces the sorrow that fills their hearts (16:16, 20). Thus Christ's joy becomes their joy (15:11; 16:24; cf. I Jn. 1:4). This joy characterizes the life of the disciples in their walk with Jesus; it becomes complete (Jn. 3:29; 15:11; 16:24; 17:13; I Jn. 1:4; 2 Jn. 12). The pass. underlies the fact that it is God who completes this joy."

?JOHN 15:12-17

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOHN 15:12-17
   12"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17This I command you, that you love one another."

15:12 "This is My commandment" Jesus repeated this theme often (cf. John 13:34; 15:17; 1 John 3:11,23; 4:7-8,11-12,19-21; 2 John 5). The New Covenant does have requirements, just as the Old Covenant did. In Matt. 11:29 Jesus used the term "yoke." This was rabbinical imagery for commandment. Obviously love is such a requirement (cf. 1 John 4:7-21). It is not the amount of love but the object of believers' love.

  1. first Jesus
  2. then other believers
  3. then the lost

▣ "that you love one another" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, a continual command. Love is the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22). Love is not a feeling, but an action. It is defined in practical terms (cf. Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:7-21).

▣ "just as I have loved you" This is an AORIST ACTIVE INDICATIVE. This was possibly a figurative reference to the cross (cf. John 15:13). Again, it was Jesus' special type of self-giving love that believers are to exhibit (cf. 2 Cor. 5:14-15; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:16; 4:7-21).

15:13 "that one lay down his life for his friends" This refers to Jesus' vicarious, substitutionary atonement (cf. John 10:11,15,17,18; Mark 10:45; Rom. 5:7-8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 52:13-53:12). This is love in action! This is what disciples are called on to do (cf. 1 John 3:16).

15:14 "You are my friends" This is the Greek NOUN philos, which is often associated with friendship love (phileō). In Koine Greek "agapaō" and "phileō" are often synonymous VERBS for divine love (compare John 11:3 [phileō] and 11:5 [agapaō]). Phileō also is used of God's love in John 5:20.

▣ "if you do what I command you" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which means potential action. It gives the condition for friendship, which is obedience (cf. John 14:15, 23-24; 15:10; Luke 6:46). As Jesus abided in the Father and remained in His love, so too, must His disciples!

15:15 Jesus informs the disciples of (1) truths about God and (2) future events. He demonstrates His power so that the disciples will grow in faith and trust. Jesus shared with His disciples what He had heard from the Father (cf. John 3:32; 8:26,40; 12:49; 15:15); they were to pass this on to others (cf. Matt. 28:20).

It is possible that the differences between John and the Synoptics is that

  1. the Synoptics record Jesus' public teachings
  2. John records Jesus' private teachings to the disciples

15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you" There are several key grammatical items.

  1. both VERBS are AORIST MIDDLE INDICATIVE ‒ Jesus, Himself, once and for all chose them (cf. John 6:70; 13:18; 15:16,19)
  2. the strong "alla" (but) ADVERSATIVE
  3. the emphatic "ego" or "I" statement

Here is the balance between human response and election. Both are biblical teachings. God always initiates (cf. Ezek. 36:22-36; John 6:44,65; 15:16,19), but humans must respond (cf. John 1:12; 3:16; 15:4,7,9; Ezekiel 18). God's dealings with mankind are of two kinds.

  1. His promises to redeem fallen mankind are always unconditional (i.e., based on God's will and action)
  2. how humans respond to God's promises is conditional (i.e., God initiates but humans must respond personally, appropriately, and continually)

The VERB "chosen" in this context refers to the Twelve. The term "chosen" has the connotation of "chosen for service" in the OT and only in the NT does the added concept of "chosen for salvation" come into the semantic range. NT believers are chosen for Christlikeness (Eph. 1:4) which is service, selflessness, and sacrifice for the Kingdom of God, the body of Christ, the corporate good. It is a clear demonstration that the self-centeredness of the Fall has been broken.

It is characteristic in John that what Jesus says regarding the Twelve has implications and applications to all believers. They represent the first fruits of discipleship, but their relationship is

  1. unique in its eyewitness testimony (i.e., inspiration)
  2. applicable to all believers in that Jesus' will for them is His will for all who believe and follow

SPECIAL TOPIC: PREDESTINATION (Calvinism) vs. HUMAN FREE WILL (Arminianism)

SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

▣ "appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain" These are three PRESENT ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVES:

  1. go
  2. bear fruit
  3. fruit remains (abides)

Believers are on a mission (cf. Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8). The theological aspect of the term "appointed" can be seen in Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:28; 2 Tim. 1:11. It was also used of Christ's death on believers' behalf (cf. John 10:11,15,17-18; 15:13).

▣ "in My name" Believers are to reproduce Jesus' character. This phrase is synonymous with "the will of God" in 1 John 5:14. Love and answered prayer are linked here as in John 14:13-15.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE NAME OF THE LORD

15:17 "This I command you , that you love one another" See note on John 15:12. Answered prayer is linked to love and mission!

SPECIAL TOPIC: PRAYER, UNLIMITED YET LIMITED

?JOHN 15:18-25

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOHN 15:18-25
   18"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave 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. 21But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'"

15:18 "If" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purpose. The world, a fallen human system, hates the followers of Jesus.

▣ "the world" John uses this term in several ways:

  1. the planet, as imagery for all mankind (cf. John 3:16)
  2. as human society organized and functioning apart from God (cf. John 10:8; 1 John 2:15-17)

SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S USE OF KOSMOS (world)

▣ "hates you" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE; the world continues to hate (cf. John 15:20).

▣ "you know" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE (should be translated, "know that. . ."). Believers' knowledge of the NT truths will help them face a fallen world's persecution.

▣ "that it has hated Me before it hated you" This is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. The PRONOUN "Me" is emphatic (cf. John 7:7). This reveals the world's opposition to God, His Messiah, and His people (cf. John 17:14; 1 John 3:13).

Believers are one in Christ's love and one in Christ's persecution (cf. Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:5,7; Phil. 3:10; 1 Pet. 4:13). Identification with Christ brings peace, joy, and persecution, even death!

15:19 "If" This is a SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which is called "contrary to fact." This should be translated "if you were of the world, which you are not, then the world would love you, but it does not."

15:20 "Remember" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, like John 15:18, or a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE, possibly a question (LB).

▣ "a slave is not greater than his master" When one compares John 15:20 with John 13:16, it becomes obvious that Jesus used proverbial sayings in different ways.

▣ "If they persecute Me. . .if they kept My word" These are two FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENSES which are assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purpose. The term "persecuted" means to pursue as a wild animal. Persecution is the norm for followers of Christ in a fallen world (Matt. 5:10-12; John 16:1-3; 17:14; Acts 14:22; Rom. 5:3-4; 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 6:3-10; 11:23-30; Phil. 1:29; 1 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 4:12-16).

However, notice that although some will reject the Apostles' words and even persecute them, there will be others who will hear and respond! They themselves are proof of the gospel's reality!

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?

15:21 "they do not know the One who has sent me" This obviously refers to the Father. It implies that the Jews as well as Gentiles do not know God. "Know" is used in its Semitic (OT) sense of personal relationship (cf. Gen. 4:1; Jer. 1:5). The lost world persecuted believers because (1) they belong to Jesus, who they also persecuted and (2) they do not know God!

SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW

15:22 "If I had not come" This is another SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which means "contrary to fact." It should be translated "If I had not come back and spoken to them, which I did, then they would not have sin, which they do." Responsibility is related to knowledge. In this context the fruitless branches (i.e., Judas and the Jews) had great opportunity for knowledge, much more than those who only had natural revelation (i.e., Gentiles, cf. Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18-20 and 2:14-15).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

15:23 The continual opposition to Jesus is continual opposition to God (cf. John 15:24).

15:24 "If" This is another SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which means "contrary to fact." It should be translated "If I had not done the works among them which no one else did (but which I did), then they would not have sin, which they do."

Light brings responsibility (cf. John 1:5; 8:12; 12:35,46; 1 John 1:5; 2:8,9,11; Matt. 6:23).

▣ "they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well" These are both PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVES which show a settled attitude. To reject Jesus is to reject the Father (cf. 1 John 5:9-13).

15:25 It is surprising that the term "Law" or "Torah" is used to describe a quote from Ps. 35:19; 69:4. Usually the term is used of the writings of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy. Here, it must simply refer to the OT.

The mystery of the Jewish rejection of Jesus in the face of such obvious revelation was attributed to willful unbelief (cf. Isa. 6:9-13; Jer. 5:21; Rom. 3:9-18). Romans 9-11 is an extended discussion of this mystery and how God will deal with it.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD HARDENED

?JOHN 15:26-27

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JOHN 15:26-27
   26"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27and you will bear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you" Both the Father and the Son send the Spirit (cf. John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7). The work of redemption involves all three persons of the Trinity.

SPECIAL TOPIC: PARACLETE

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY

▣ "the Spirit of truth" This is used in the sense of the Holy Spirit as the revealer of the Father (cf. John 14:17,26; 15:26; 16:13).

SPECIAL TOPIC: "TRUTH" (the concept) IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

▣ "He will testify about Me" The Spirit's task is to witness to Jesus and His teachings (cf. John 14:26; 16:13-15; 1 John 5:7).

15:27 "you will bear witness also" The "you. . .also" is emphatic. This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. This must refer to the inspiration of the authors of the NT (i.e., Apostles and their friends) who were with Jesus during His earthly life (cf. Luke 24:48).

SPECIAL TOPIC: WITNESSES TO JESUS

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

  1. What does "abiding" involve?
  2. What if a believer ceases to abide? What if a believer has no fruit?
  3. List the evidences of true discipleship.
  4. If suffering is the norm for Christians, what does that say to us today?
  5. Explain John 15:16 in your own words

 

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