John 15 - Life Application Study Bible

15:1 The grapevine is a useful, prolific plant. It produces fruit to eat, raisins to store, and wine for meals and ceremonies. A single vine supports numerous branches and bears many grapes. In the Old Testament, grapes symbolize Israel’s fruitfulness in doing God’s work on the earth (Psalm 80:8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Ezekiel 19:10-14). In the Passover meal, the fruit of the vine symbolizes God’s goodness to his people.

15:1-8 Jesus is the Vine, and God is the Gardener, who carefully plants and cares for the branches with one purpose—that they may bear fruit. The branches are all those who claim to be followers of Jesus. The fruitful branches are true believers who, by their union with him, produce much fruit. Being united with Jesus means drawing our energy and nourishment from him (see Colossians 2:6-7). But those who don’t bear fruit—those who make only a superficial commitment to Jesus—will be separated from the Vine. Unfruitful “followers” are useless and will be cut off and tossed aside.

15:2-3 Jesus makes a distinction between two kinds of pruning: (1) cutting off branches and (2) cutting back branches. Fruitful branches are cut back to promote growth. In other words, God must sometimes discipline his people to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk not only because they are worthless but also because they can infect the rest of the plant. People who don’t bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be cut off from his life-giving power.

15:5 “Fruit” is not limited to soul winning. In this chapter, answered prayer, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit (15:7, 11, 12). Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit: qualities of Christian character.

15:5-6 Remaining in Christ requires us to be fully connected to Jesus moment by moment. It means (1) believing that he is God’s Son (1 John 4:15), (2) following him as Savior and Lord (John 1:12), (3) doing what God says (1 John 3:24), (4) continuing to believe the Good News (1 John 2:24), and (5) relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body (John 15:12).

15:5-8 Many people try to be good and honest. But Jesus says that to live a truly good life we must stay close to him, like a branch attached to its vine. In the same way that plants receive nutrients from their roots, we receive life-giving water from the Holy Spirit and food from God’s Word. These provide spiritually regenerative power. Jesus told his disciples they could ask for anything that would increase fruit bearing. Apart from Jesus, we lose this connection and our efforts are unfruitful. Are you receiving and thriving from the nourishment offered by Jesus, the Vine?

15:8 When we produce “much fruit,” like a fruitful branch, we glorify God. Each day he sends the sunshine and rain to make the crops grow, and constantly he nurtures each tiny plant and prepares it to blossom. What a moment of glory for the Lord of the harvest when the harvest is brought into the barns, mature and ready for use! He made it all happen! This farming analogy shows how God is glorified when people come into a right relationship with him and begin to “produce much fruit” in their lives.

15:11 When things are going well, we feel elated. When hardships come, we sink into sorrow. But true joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with his, he will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us levelheaded, no matter how high or low our circumstances.

15:12-13 We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We may or may not have to die for someone, but we can also practice sacrificial love in other ways: listening, helping, encouraging, giving. Think of someone who needs this kind of love today, and give all the love you can.

15:15 Because Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master, he has the right to call us servants; instead, he regards us as friends. How comforting and reassuring that he not only chose us but also wants us to be his friends! Because he is our Lord and Master, we owe him our unqualified obedience and should listen to everything he says; because we are his friends, we should love him and others the way he loves us.

15:16 Jesus made the first choice—to love and to die for us, to invite us to live with him forever. We make the next choice—to accept or reject his offer. Without his choice, we would have no choice to make.

15:17 Christians will get plenty of hatred from the world; from each other we need love and support. Do you allow small problems to get in the way of loving other believers? Jesus commands that you love them, and he will give you the strength to do it.

15:26 Once again Jesus offers hope. The Holy Spirit gives strength to endure the unreasonable hatred and evil in our world and the hostility many have toward Jesus. These words offer special comfort for those facing persecution.

15:26 Jesus uses two names for the Holy Spirit here—“Advocate” and “Spirit of truth.” The word Advocate conveys the helping, encouraging, and strengthening work of the Spirit. Spirit of truth points to his teaching, illuminating, and reminding work. The Holy Spirit ministers to both the head and the heart, and both dimensions are important.