Daily Bible Verse - 8/24/2007 - John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

Commentary
The word "abide" means to remain or stay around. The "remaining" is evidence that salvation has already taken place (1 John 2:19) and not vice versa. The fruit or evidence of salvation is continuance in service to Him and in His teaching (8:31; 1 John 2:24; Col. 1:23). The abiding believer is the only legitimate believer. Abiding and believing actually are addressing the same issue of genuine salvation (Heb. 3:6-19).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 15:4). Nashville: Word Pub.

Vines

Vines grow all over Palestine. Every year, gardeners prune the branches in order to produce high-quality fruit. The branch is considered useless unless it produces fruit. Fruitless vines are drastically cut back. The pruned limbs are good for nothing and are destroyed.
The OT pictured Israel as the vineyard of God. The vine became a symbol for the nation of Israel. Jesus called Himself the "true" Vine, using the vine and branches as an analogy to show how a believer must abide (live or remain) in Him (v. 1). His followers who believed in Him were the branches on God's vine. The branches had no source of life within themselves but received their life from the Vine. Without the Vine, the branches could produce no fruit and were good for nothing.

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Jn 15:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Crosses by Brian
Creator of crosses that carry a message to be proclaimed with courage.