I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches
There are few passages that have been as contested as this passage. Calvinists, Arminians, and Free Grace Dispensationalists all have varying interpretations and understandings of this passage. We should humbly study this passage with the rest of scripture without an agenda by looking at the audience, immediate and general context of the passage, along with an understanding of what time Jesus was speaking this.
Calvinist Interpretation
Calvanists will typically hold to a perseverance of the saints interpretation, believing that the branches that are already in Christ may or may not be genuine believers based off of their fruit, which they interpret as good works. The obvious confusion of this interpretation is that the branches are already in Christ (John 15:1-2). How can you be “in Christ” and yet not be “in Christ”? The obvious explanation by the calvinist is that these are professing believers, who prove themselves based on their bearing of fruit (John 15:8). Jesus clearly identifies the entire symbolism of branches attached to the vine as branches being in Him or attached to Him, via salvation (which the Calvanist would agree). However, Jesus does not say professionally attached to Him, He is talking about believers who are genuinely attached to Him. That is the context of this symbolism.
Another problem with this interpretation is based off of the symbolism of the vine and vinedresser. In the culture of ancient vinedressing or viticulture. If a branch wasn’t producing fruit, the vinedresser would tie the vine to the trellis up higher so it would be closer to the light and wouldn’t be overgrown by other vines. He would “lift up” the branch so it would produce more fruit if it wasn’t producing any fruit at all. This vital understanding of context should cause us to question the translation option of the term αἴρει (airō). Regardless of what you believe about the passage this term needs to be translated in the best possible way that matches with the immediate context. The term αἴρει (airō) can also mean to lift up in John 15:2. “To lift up” is a genuine option of translation instead of “takes away” according to the semantic range of the Greek word. This should be genuinely taken into consideration with the agrarian symbolism Jesus is using with His disciples. The Calvanist interpretation banks on this term being translated as the least likely translation option as “Takes away”.
The Calvanist interpretation is a widely held interpretation of this particular passage and is often used as a proof text for perseverance of the saints and later on in verse 16 many calvinists will use that particular verse in this specific passage as a proof text for unconditional election (even though the context clearly suggests that this is directed toward the disciples and that the fruit that remains is best understood as their remaining ministry the establishment of the early church through disciple making and evangelism.
Classical Arminian Interpretation
The Arminian interpretation believes that the branches that are “In Him” are in fact saved, but that the passage is just stressing the importance of continuing in Jesus (for the Arminian believes one can lose their salvation based on fruitlessness or continual sin) . They see the fire also as Hell and eternal suffering (which seems to fit best in context and with its severe verbiage and symbolism) but they see the branches that fall away as those that do not abide in him and lose their salvation based on their lack of fruit. The problem that arises with this view is that the arminian reading is saying a very similar thing as the Calvinist. That you need to have fruit to secure one’s salvation (which we know based off of the apostle Paul, and Jesus is not correct Galatians, Romans, John chp.3, etc..). For the Calvinist it is to ensure “genuine” belief. To the Arminian it is to ensure you aren’t cut off. The textual issue is that we clearly see branches that don’t bear fruit as “In Him” and if our cultural context aids us in proper translation and it is in fact “lifted up” then we see God working with Fruitless branches to bring forth fruit in verse 2, not cut off. He throws away those that don’t abide in the branch. Very different from branches that do abide and just don’t produce fruit.
Classical Arminianism is not as common as Calvinism, but it is still a rampant belief. The problem most individuals have when understanding this passage is with one’s holistic understanding of the biblical narrative and soteriology (salvation). Many believe that when one believes the good news they are truly saved regardless of performance and that nothing can snatch them out of God’s hand, not even the power of sin (Romans 8:38-39). However, many people will turn to Calvinism to repudiate the belief that we can lose our salvation. This, though, will not practically solve the problem, for Calvinism is known to question the authenticity of your belief (your salvation) if you don’t have works (the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. This is just as harmful as believing you will be separated from God based on losing your salvation and leaves most people between a rock and a hard place in terms of biblical interpretation (at least those that rely on theological camps to interpret passages for them).
Free Grace Dispensationalism Interpretation
Free Grace Dispensationalism tends to believe that abiding or dwelling is a similar command as walking according to the spirit. They would see the passage as teaching that we must be branches that rely on “abiding in Christ” for power to live the christian life. They would not see abiding as equivalent with salvation, but rather as what it means to live the Christian life. Some immediate hermeneutical problems with this interpretation come when we look at verse 6. The symbolism and verbiage used in reference to fire and to those that do not abide leave many wondering if this really isn’t talking about Hell. The problem with most theological camps is castle theology where everything is seemingly perfectly figured out and generalized, it is no different with this theological camp. When looking at the fire many will attribute it to a “practical spiritual death” or even to a loss of rewards or a lack of inheriting the kingdom of God. The interpretations can be many. But one thing is certain, the free grace dispensationalist will not acknowledge that this verse is referring to Hell. The context of a dead branch that burns up, when removed from the vine which is symbolic of Christ, is a dead ringer for Hell.
Free Grace interpretation is admirable in their belief that salvation is by faith alone and they will not move on this point (much like the Apostles and Jesus). The issue with their interpretation of this particular passage is a clear issue with their unbiased interpretation of the passage in context (specifically in reference to v.6), and their view of abiding.
Many Free Gracers believe that abiding in God is different from God dwelling in us and us in God, which happens to us living in an age of the New Covenant, immediately after accepting the gift of Salvation. The potential issue with this belief comes when we understand the general context the passage is in.
Jesus was just explaining to His disciples about the Holy Spirit coming once He leaves, and told them numerous times to believe in Him for this to occur. The disciples have clearly been having a hard time understanding everything Jesus has been explaining to them about His leaving, the Spirit’s coming, the Disciples Ministry (John 14), along with the relationship Jesus has with the Father (John 14). Part of this explanation is when Jesus explains that the Spirit will come to dwell within them once He leaves. This has not happened yet and is planning on happening in the future. Jesus uses a similar explanation for “abiding” in verses 4 & 5. Additionally, the term “Abide” is μένῃ (menō) which also has a semantic range of “dwell” or “reside”. Objectively, us being in God in verses 1-3 has potentially the same meaning as “dwelling” or “Residing” In God and God in Us, through the Holy Spirit, and the fullness of the Godhead, which can refer to the Spirit of God indwelling Creation.
This Belief system is not as common, but is gaining popularity. There are a lot of benefits in believing the Good News is by faith alone, for it is God’s grace that leads us to repentance and not law. It does not however mean that interpretations of this theological camp are perfect in every context.
Another Interpretation Option
With all of these interpretations in view, and an understanding of hermeneutics, what can we understand this passage to be saying to the original audience, and what can we take away from it for believers today?
One never wants to study a passage in isolation, my biggest encouragement and what we will want to do is to read the context surrounding the passage in question John 15:1-17.
Chiastic Structure of the Passage
Figure 1a.
When understanding the surrounding context and the flow of the immediate context, looking at the passages in flow respectively, we can see the main themes that emerge and the author’s flow of thought. If an interpretation of a passage doesn’t match closely with the flow of thought or make sense in the surrounding immediate context, the interpretation is most likely not what the author intended.
The pericope in question falls at the peak of the immediate literary chiasm.
Chiastic structure will mention ideas and concepts that build up to the main point, explain the main point, and then further elaborate on the concepts previously that built up to the main point in reverse. (see Figure 1a).
Exegesis of John 15:1-17
“I am the true vine”
“sn I am the true vine. There are numerous OT passages which refer to Israel as a vine: Ps 80:8-16, Isa 5:1-7, Jer 2:21, Ezek 15:1-8; 17:5-10; 19:10-14, and Hos 10:1. The vine became symbolic of Israel, and even appeared on some coins issued by the Maccabees. The OT passages which use this symbol appear to regard Israel as faithless to Yahweh (typically rendered as “Lord” in the OT) and/or the object of severe punishment. Ezek 15:1-8 in particular talks about the worthlessness of wood from a vine (in relation to disobedient Judah)...” (NET Notes John 15:1a)
In the literature of the TaNaKh, Israel was symbolic of a fruitless vine or vineyard. It seems in the immediate context of John 14, where Jesus expresses that “He is the way, the truth, and the life” flows with this intro statement. His disciples were having a hard time understanding what Jesus was saying in the immediate context of this passage, especially that He is God incarnate. It would fit that Jesus is explaining that He is the way and not the Mosaic Covenant, nor the Jews way of thinking. Jesus is the Vine that both Jews and Gentiles can be grafted into through belief in Him (Rom 11:11-31). This statement is impactful, as Jesus is telling the Jews that He is the vine, God’s plan of salvation with humanity turns to Jesus from the Law.
“and my Father is the gardener.”
In the context of John 15, we see the Father as the one who works in us to will and to do good work (Philippians 2:13). It is not on our own effort that we produce fruitfulness in the Christian life, rather it is the Father who produces fruitfulness in the Chrstian life. This fits with Pauline literature and theology.
“He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me.”
This sentence has been heavily contested in translation. When one understands viticulture and the audience Jesus is speaking to (His disciples who are from an agrarian society), we can see a different and more probable translation.
The term “takes away” is αἴρω or airō. This term has a broad semantic range including to raise; take up; or lift up. This translation regardless of one’s interpretation fits the audience and the symbolism Jesus is using more closely.
In Viticulture when caring for fruitless branches, the vine-dresser would lift up the branch and tie it to the trellis so the branch has more exposure to the sun, would not be choked out by other branches, etc… This was a method used by vinedressers to increase fruit supply to fruitless branches.
A more probable translation is “Lifts up” instead of "takes away”. The reason for this is to produce more fruit.
“He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.”
The Father prunes or cleans every branch that bears fruit so it will bear more fruit. In viticulture when attempting to maximize fruit output of a branch, vine dressers will prune or clean/cut off nodes or growths that are not producing fruit, so the growths that are producing fruit will get more nutrients and thus produce richer, healthier, and larger fruit. Note the greek word for “prune” (καθαρός katharos) is the same greek word for “clean” used in the next sentence.
“You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you.”
The term “prune” and “clean” are the same word and in context seem to be talking about the same concept. The 12 Disciples, who are the audience of the section, are already pruned. This would then mean that they are in a position to bear much fruit based on the rest of the passage. The “word” or “communication” that Jesus has spoken to them has been many, through all of His teachings and discipleship with them the Father has pruned the disciples by Jesus’ investment in them. This has set the disciples up for a very fruitful ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit.
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.”
This is a very clear allusion to the immediate context of Jesus’ teaching on accepting the Good News, the coming Holy Spirit, and the relationship Jesus has with the Father and with the twelve disciples. At this point in Biblical history the Disciples did not have Jesus living within them, nor did they have the Holy Spirit. They were not “In Jesus” yet, and nor was Jesus “In them”. Jesus was “with them” at this time. This is why he says it is beneficial that he goes so the Holy Spirit could come and be “In Them”.
In the broader covenantal context this passage is before Jesus’ death and Resurrection, so the work of Messiah had not yet been completed yet. The Death and Resurrection had not yet occurred and the Disciples had not been united with Jesus from the work of the Gospel, as the Good News had not occurred yet. The disciples were not yet “In Him” at this time.
The word “remain” or μένω menō has the semantic range to be translated as reside or dwell. It could be translated to mean where one’s spiritual location is. In other words, it would fit better with the immediate context and the rest of the passage for Jesus to be telling the disciples to live in Him, and He will live in them. Which would occur after belief after the death and resurrection of Christ.
Jesus is saying one can not bear “fruit” unless one is in Christ.
““I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.”
Understanding the audience is key to understanding passages often. The audience of this particular pericope are the Twelve Disciples. The twelve Disciples that believe in Jesus and accept the Gospel, living “In Him” will bear much fruit.
Some Calvinists will take this passage to mean all people will bear much fruit once they are saved; this is not in context with the passage in question. Jesus has already said that His disciples were pruned, they have been positioned by the Father to produce an abundance of fruit. Yet, all of His disciples will not be in Him (Judas Iscariot will not). The next question we must ask is what is fruit? Many people will not look into this question, but in context of the passage we get an idea of what the fruit is later on in this particular passage and it ties the entire section together seamlessly.
Apart from the already pruned disciples being in Christ, they can do nothing, their “fruit” will not be produced.
“If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire and are burned up.”
If anyone does not believe the gospel and thus be in Christ and Christ in him, He will be unsaved and condemned to Hell. This is a very clear illusion to Hell. Judas fell into this category.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.
Jesus, speaking to His disciples is talking about how when they are In Him, and the teachings of Jesus and commission of Christ is being held onto by them, they can ask what they wish and it will be done for them. Why? Because of the next verse.
My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples.
God is honored by the disciples’ much fruit that will come from them, showing the world that they are Jesus’ disciples. When we understand what the fruit is later on, this makes much more sense. This fruit is their lasting ministry of establishing the early church.
““Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you.”
Jesus is commanding his disciples to live in the love He has shown them, this connects to the next section where he ties this command to the love He will show them by dying and resurrecting again for their sins and the sins of all humanity.
Why does he command his disciples to live in the love Jesus has shown them? Not for their salvation, but for their joy! True joy in the Christian life comes from loving God and loving others in the same way God has loved us!
No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father.
We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). They are Jesus’ friends if they live in Him (“Abide in me”), and He lives in them. They will understand what Jesus is doing when the Holy Spirit comes to live in them (Pentecost) a little after they have believed the Good Message of Jesus Christ. They are no longer slaves who don’t know what the master is doing (like Israel that didn’t understand the mystery of God and God’s plan of salvation). Rather they will have God in them and they will be in God, and will make sense of all of Jesus’ teachings when the Holy Spirit comes.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you—to love one another.
Jesus is not talking about salvation, but about choosing his disciples…for what. We always need to ask what the people are being chosen for. In this context it is not for salvation rather it is for lasting fruit, and what is the fruit? The fruit is the fruit that remains, any character fruit would die when the disciples die on earth. The fruit that remains makes most sense to be the ministry of disciple making and establishing the early church. That fruit still remains and Jesus chose the twelve for this purpose and was effective in doing so.
The fruit is their lasting ministry!
Jesus closes by commanding his disciples to love one another as they prepare to be launched into this ministry with the Holy Spirit.
Summary & Application:
God wants us to produce fruit, and will be the one to produce fruit in our lives. The disciples are a good example of this. He brought Jesus into their lives to disciple them (Prune them) so they would bear much fruit as in a lasting ministry. God desires and is working within us to establish a lasting ministry through disciple making. We are friends of God, because we live in Him and He in us and we know His plan of disciple making and drawing the whole world to Himself. Joy in the christian life comes from loving one another as God has loved us and discipleship is a component of this. If we do not choose to live in God through accepting the Good News of Jesus Christ we would have rejected the Good News and be condemned to Hell, separated from God for eternity. We love unconditionally, because He first loved us.
