John 15

1 Christ compares himself to a Vine,and his Disciples to the branches,which abiding in him,bring forth much fruit by him. 9 Testifieth his singular love towards them,and exhorts them to keep his Commandments,and to mutual love, 13 which love of his he thereby shews,that he laies down his love for them, 14 and calleth them his friends and chosen. 18 Comforteth them against their hatred of the world with his own example, 21 Shewethhthat by his word and works,all pretence of excuse is taken from the Jews, 26and that the holy Ghost shall be a witness of him and they the Apostles also.

1. Am the true Vine,[That is,I may truly be compared to a vine,my Father to a vine-dresser,and ye my Disciples to vine-branches, v.5. It seemeth that Christ is going forth,passing by or going thorow certain vine yards,took occasion from thence to put forth this similitude,like as he did at other times upon the like occasions.See John 4:10,32,35.] and my Father is the husband-man.[that is,the keeper of the vineyard,who hath ordained and as it were planted me for this purpose,and who pruneth the branches, and hath regard thereunto.]

2. Every branch [Gr.every branch in me bearing no fruit,i.e. everyone who only professeth me outwardly,and notwithstanding believeth not on me from the heart] which beareth no fruit in,[namely,of faith,bringeth it not forth in his life] that he taketh away [that is,he cutteth it off,and casts it out of his communion]and everyone which beareth fruit,that he purgeth [that is,he purifieth,namely, by his word and spirit,and also by the cross and suffering] that it may bear more fruit.

3. Ye are now clean ,because of the word [Or clean through the word.i.e.cleansed] that i have spoken unto you.[Namely,and ye have embraced by a true faith.]

4. Abide ye in me [Namely,steadfastly adhering to me by a true faith] and I in you [that is,I will abide in you,and consequently more and more impart unto you the sap of Spiritual life for to enable you to bring forth fruits] like as the branch can bear no fruit of itself,[that is,of its own power or nature] if it abide not in the vine,So neither ye ,if ye abide not in me.

5. I am the vine (and) ye the branches : be that abideth in me and and I in him,he beareth much fruit.For without me,[that is,being seperated from me,or without my power] ye can do nothing.[Gr.not anything,i.e.nothing at all,namely,that is required to salvation.]

6. If any man abide not in me,he is cast without : [Namely,out of the vineyard,i.e.out of the communion of true believers] like as a branch [that is,an unfruitful branch]and is withered [that is,more and more stripped of spiritual gifts,2 Pet.2,20.] and many gather the same,[this gathering shall be performed by the Angels,Matth.13.41.out of all corners of the world]and they are cast into the fire,[whereby is figured hell fire] and they are burned.

7. If ye abide in me and my words in you,[That is,if ye do not only remember my commandements,but also continually keep the same,1 John 3:21,22]ye shall desire [Gr.pray for,namely,according to Gods will,1 John 5,14.] whatsoever you will,[namely necessary for your comfort and salvation] and it shall be done unto you.

8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit [Namely,of faith,which are good works whereby God is glorified,Mat.5.16. Rom.6.4.] and he shall be my Disciples.[that is,really shew that ye are so,John 13:35.]

9. Like as the Father hath loved me,I have also loved you,abide in this my love.[Namely,which I bear to you.]

10. If ye keep my commandements,[That is,observe them] ye shall abide in my love;like as I have kept my Fathers commandements,and abide in is love.

11. These things have I spoken unto you,that my joy,[That is,wherewith I rejoyce over you] may remain in you:[that is,may not be lessened or changed,but that I may alwaies rejoyce over you] and your joy [that is,wherewith ye rejoyce in me as your Saviour,John 17:13 1 Pet.1.8,9.] may be filled.[that is,increase more and more,and hereafter may be perfect.]

12. This is my command [That is,which I would especially commend unto you,and have imprinted in you] that ye love one another,like as I have loved you:

13. No man hath greater love then this,that one should lay down [That is,willingly give up]his life [Gr.his soul] for his friends.

14. Ye are my friends [That is,ye shall abide in my friendship] if ye do what I command you.

15. I call you no more servants,[Gr.say,i.e.from henceforth I reckon you not as servants only,but also as friends]for the servant knoweth not [that is,useth not to know] what his Lord doth;[that is intendeth to do,seeing Lords use not to reveal their secrets to their servants] but I have called you friends,for all that I have heard of my Father [that is,all that the Father hath commanded me to teach and reveal unto men for their salvation](that) have I made known unto you.

16. Ye have not chosen out me [Namely,first to be your Lord and Saviour] but I have chosen out you:[namely out of the world,to be my friends and to save you,v.19.] and I have appointed you [that is,called you for this purpose] that ye should go your way and bear fruit,[namely,throughout the whole world,with teaching and good example to convert men] and (that) your fruit should remain,that whatsoever [namely,needfull and serviceable for the bringing forth of these fruits] ye shall desire of the Father in my name,he may give (it) unto you.

17. This I command you that ye may love one another.[Or that ye love.]

18. If the world hate you,[That is worldly men] know [or ye know] that it hated me before you [or the first,i.e.the chief of you.]

19. If ye were of the world,[Gr.out of] the world love its own,[Gr.the own i.e.that which is in her,or like unto her] but because ye are not of (Gr.out of)the world,but I have chosen you [that is,separated you to be like unto me,and to follow me,Rom.8.29.] out of the world,therefore the world hateth you.

20. Remember the word that I have said unto you:[Namely.before,John 13:16.] A servant is not greater then his Lord.If they have persecuted me,they will also persecute you.If they have kept my word,they will also keep yours.

21. But all these things [That is,hate,persecute,despise the word]shall they do unto you,for my names sake [that is,out of hatred of me and my doctrine] because they know not him that sent me.[that is,the Father.

22. If i had not come,and had not spoken unto them they had had no sin,[That is,not so grievous sin as now they have,but might in some sort be able to excuse themselves because of their ignorance,John 9:41.]but now they have no pretext for their sin.[or no cloak.]

23. he that hateth me,he hateth my Father also.

24. If i had done the works [That is,the wondrous works or miracles]among them,which no other man hath done, [namely,of those which gives themselves out for the Messias,no nor yet of the former Prophets]they had had no sin,[as before ver.22.] but now have they seen them,and hated both me and my Father.

25. But (this cometh to pass) that the word may be fulfilled,that is written in their law [That is in the writings of the old Testament,as John 10:34.for this is written in Psa.35.19.and 69.5. which being spoken of David as a type of Christ,is fulfilled in Christ]they hated me without cause.[Gr.for nothing.]

26. But when the comforter shall be come,which I shall send you from the Father,[Namely,as the only begotten Son of God,whose spirit he also is,and is called, Rom.8.v.9. Gal.4.6.] (namely) the spirit of truth,which goeth forth from the Father, [namely,as well in respect of his person,whose property it is to go forth from the Father,and from the Son from everlasting,as in respect of his power and working] he shall testifie of me.[namely] by his admirable gifts and internal convictions that I am the true Saviour.]

27. And ye also shall bear witness [Namely,with your doctrine and wondrous works,which ye shall do in my name] for ye have been with me from the beginning.[namely, of my preaching,Mat.4.17,18. ye have heard my doctrine,and seen my miracles.]