요한복음 Chapter 15

Translation: ESV

1

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

Key Message

Jesus is the true vine who fulfills God's vineyard that Israel failed to be.

▸This is the last 'I am (egō eimi)' declaration.

This is the last 'I am (egō eimi)' declaration. In 'I am the true vine (ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινή),' 'true (ἀληθινή)' has the background that Israel was called 'God's vine' in the Old Testament but failed to bear fruit (Isa. 5; Ezek. 15). Jesus is that true vine. 'My Father is the vinedresser' indicates that the Father is the one who tends the vine and expects fruit.

Related Verses

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!
4

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Key Message

Abiding in Christ is the only condition for spiritual life and fruit; one cannot bear fruit on one's own.

▸'Abide (μείνατε, meinate)' is the key verb of chapter 15.

5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Key Message

Apart from Christ there is no genuine spiritual fruit; only in Christ is everything possible.

▸'Apart from me you can do nothing (χωρὶς ἐμοῦ οὐ δύνασθε ποιεῖν οὐδέν)' declares absolute dependence.

12

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Key Message

All of Jesus' teaching is summarized in the one commandment of self-sacrificial love, which is the core of the disciple community.

▸The new commandment of 13:34 is repeated.

13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Key Message

The highest expression of love is the sacrifice of one's life for a friend, and Jesus completely realized this love on the cross.

▸The highest expression of love is defined: the giving up of one's life for a friend.

16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Key Message

The beginning of discipleship is not human choice but God's choice, and this choice is for the ministry of bearing fruit.

▸The initiative in discipleship belongs to God.