John 15:4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:1-10

(7) The parable of the vine and its branches . Incorporation of the disciples into one personality with himself . The image of the vine may have been suggested by some visible object. Either of the hypotheses of place would furnish a reminder of the nature and culture of the vine. Thus around the windows of the guest-chamber the vine may have thrown its tendrils, or on the slopes of Olivet the vineyards may have been prominent objects, or the burning heaps of vine-prunings may have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 15:4

But there is a continuance of most intimate relations to be sustained between Christ and his disciples. If the two clauses are "imperative," or rather concessive, as many suppose, the finest meaning is evolved. Let these be the reciprocal conditions, let it be that you abide in me, and I in you. (Meyer and Lange add to the second clause μενῶ , "I will abide in you," making it into a promise following a command, and involving a very strong synergistic thought.) There is a mutual abiding or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 15:4

Abide in me - Remain united to me by a living faith. Live a life of dependence on me, and obey my doctrines, imitate my example, and constantly exercise faith in me.And I in you - That is, if you remain attached to me, I will remain with you, and will teach, guide, and comfort you. This he proceeds to illustrate by a reference to the vine. If the branch should be cut off an instant, it would die and be fruitless. As long as it is in the vine, “from the nature of the case,” the parent stock... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 15:3-6

John 15:3-6. Now ye are clean All of you, to whom I now speak, are made clean from the guilt and power of sin through the word which I have spoken unto you, whose sanctifying influence has operated on your hearts, and which, when applied by the Spirit, is the grand instrument of purifying the soul. Abide in me By the continued exercise of humble faith and love, producing all holiness, by which alone you can continue to be in me; and I in you And I will be in you by my Spirit, to nourish... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 15:1-27

145. Union with Jesus (John 15:1-27)In themselves believers have no life, strength or spiritual power. All that they have comes from Jesus Christ. If he is likened to a vine, they are likened to the branches, which means that they can bear spiritual fruit only as they are united in him. As they allow the Father to remove the hindrances of sin from their lives, they will bear even more fruit (John 15:1-5).Those who bear no fruit are like the dead branches of a vine. Though attached to it, they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 15:4

Abide . Greek. meno. See p. 1511. and I . Read "I also [abide] in you". Omit the full stop, and supply "for". cannot = is not ( App-105 ) able to. of. Greek. apo. App-104 . except = if . . . not. Greek. ean me. App-118 and App-105 . no more = even so neither. Greek houtos oude. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 15:4

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.Abide in me ... standing at both ends of this verse is, in short, the plan of human redemption. All depends upon one's being "in Christ," and abiding "in him" until probation has ended. Jesus did not here elaborate the means by which one is brought into such a sacred relationship with himself; but the New Testament leaves no doubt of how this comes about.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 15:4-5

John 15:4-5. Abide in me, and I in you.— "Continue steadfast in your love and attachment to me, live in constant communion with me, let your hearts be stayed upon me with habitual and full confidence and faith, and I will abide in you; for this is the methodtoderivefrommeallneedful supplies, particularly the influences of my Spirit, ch. Joh 14:26 the comfortof my presence, Joh 14:23 the protection of my providence, Joh 14:27 and the direction of my word, John 15:7." As the branch cannot bear... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 15:4

4. Abide in me, and I in you; as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, &c.—As all spiritual fruitfulness had been ascribed to the mutual inhabitation, and living, active interpenetration (so to speak) of Christ and His disciples, so here the keeping up of this vital connection is made essential to continued fruitfulness. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 15:1-8

The vine and the branches metaphor 15:1-8Jesus often used a grapevine to describe the nation of Israel (cf. Matthew 20:1-16; Matthew 21:23-41; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 13:6-9; Luke 20:9-16). The vine as a symbol of Israel appears on coins of the Maccabees. [Note: Morris, p. 593.] Here Jesus used the vine metaphorically of Himself. One can hardly escape the inference that Jesus viewed Himself as the fulfillment of Israel. Covenant theologians like to think of the church as the fulfillment of Israel,... read more