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Author: Stephen Weller
678 words, 4 minutes read time

The Vine and Its Branches

Scripture: John 15:1-2

In the last lesson we laid the context for our study of the vine and its branches. In this lesson we will begin our detailed study.

^{Jn 15:1} [Jesus said,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

In this metaphor, Jesus is the vine and his Father is the vinedresser who does two things to ensure the greatest fruit production. First is the removal of branches that bear no fruit and second is the pruning of branches that are producing fruit so that they will produce even more. In Hebrews 6 there is a similar illustration but in relationship to land. ⁷ “For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:7 – 8 ESV). In John it is the branch that must bear fruit to be counted worthy, while in the Hebrews it is the land that is to produce a crop bearing fruit, not thorns and thistles.

If a branch does not bear fruit, like the land that grows just thorns and thistles, it would seem to indicate that the person the unfruitful branch represents is not a true believer. This view is supported in John 15:6, 8 ESV: ⁶ “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” A branch that just clings to the vine and does not abide in it will not bear fruit and is seen as an unbeliever and not a disciple of Jesus. Such a person claims to be a Christian like those found in Matthew 7:21 – 23, who are told by Jesus to depart from him because he never knew them but are seen as workers of lawlessness.

Those branches that do not bear fruit may be people who follow Jesus for a time and hear his teaching but are not necessarily genuine believers. This was true of those in John 6:66 ESV: “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” A good example of this was Judas who was a disciple of Jesus but eventually turned against him and betrayed him. Such a person may possibly be described in Hebrews 6:4 – 6 ESV: ⁴ “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” Many believe this Hebrews passage refers to believers, but I would argue against that.

Some believe these unfruitful branches are true believers who for some reason are not bearing fruit. I would argue against that by referring to John 15:6, where we find such branches being gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned, which seems to indicate their final judgment.

In the next lesson we will look further at “fruit” and “take away.”

Conclusion

How would you describe your connection to the vine? How effective are you in bearing fruit? How do you relate to the Father’s pruning to produce more fruit? Do you see any connection to James 1:2 – 4 and Romans 5:3 – 5?