1._I am the true Vine. _The general meaning of this comparison is, that we are, by nature, barren and dry, except in so far as we have been engrafted into Christ, and draw from him a power which is new, and which does not proceed from ourselves. I have followed other commentators in rendering ἄμπελο... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Every branch in me that beareth not fruit _As some men corrupt the grace of God, others suppress it maliciously, and others choke it by carelessness, Christ intends by these words to awaken anxious inquiry, by declaring that all _the branches _which shall be unfruitful will be cut off from _the v... [ Continue Reading ]
3._You are already clean, on account of the word. _He reminds them that they have _already _experienced in themselves what he had said; that they have been planted in him, and have also been _cleansed _or _pruned _He points out the means of _pruning_, namely, doctrine; and there can be no doubt that... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Abide in me. _He again exhorts them to be earnest and careful in keeping the grace which they had received, for the carelessness of the flesh can never be sufficiently aroused. And, indeed, Christ has no other object in view than to keep us as a hen keepeth her chickens under her wings, (Matthe... [ Continue Reading ]
5.Without me you can do nothing. This is the conclusion and application of the whole parable. So long as we are separate from him, we bear no fruit that is good and acceptable to God, for we are unable to do anything good. The Papists not only extenuate this statement, but destroy its substance, and... [ Continue Reading ]
6._If any one abide not in me. _He again lays before them the punishment of ingratitude, and, by doing so, excites and urges them to perseverance. It is indeed the gift of God, but the exhortation to fear is not uncalled for, lest our flesh, through too great indulgence, should root us out. _He is... [ Continue Reading ]
7._If you abide in me. _Believers often feel that they are starved, and are very far from that rich fatness which is necessary for yielding abundant fruit. For this reason it is expressly added, whatever those who are in Christ may need, there is a remedy provided for their poverty, as soon as they... [ Continue Reading ]
8._In this my Father is glorified _This is a confirmation of the former statement; for he shows that we ought not to doubt that God will listen to the prayers of his people, when they desire to be rendered fruitful; for this contributes very greatly to his glory. But by this end or effect he likewis... [ Continue Reading ]
9._As the Father hath loved me. _He intended to express something far greater than is commonly supposed; for they who think that he now speaks of the sacred _love _of God the Father, which he always had towards the Son, philosophize away from the subject; for it was rather the design of Christ to la... [ Continue Reading ]
10._If you keep my commandments. _He points out to us the method of perseverance. his, to follow where he calls, for, as Paul says, They who are in Christ walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, (Romans 8:1.) For these two things are continually united, that faith which perc... [ Continue Reading ]
11._These things I have spoken to you. _He adds, that his love is far from being unknown to the godly, but that it is perceived by faith, so that they enjoy blessed peace of conscience; for the _joy _which he mentions springs from that peace with God which is possessed by all that have been justifie... [ Continue Reading ]
12._This is my commandment. _Since it is proper that we regulate our life according to the _commandment _of Christ, it is necessary, first of all, that we should understand what it is that he _wills _or _commands _He now therefore repeats what he had formerly said, that it is his will, above all thi... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Greater love hath no one than this. _Christ sometimes proclaims the greatness of his love to us, that he may more fully confirm our confidence in our salvation; but now he proceeds further, in order to inflame us, by his example, to love the brethren. Yet he joins both together; for he means tha... [ Continue Reading ]
14._You are my friends. _He does not mean that we obtain so great an honor by our own merit, but only reminds them of the condition on which he receives us into favor, and deigns to reckon us among his friends; as he said a little before, If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, (Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Henceforth I will not call you servants. _By another argument he shows his love toward the disciples, which was, that he opened his mind fully to them, as familiar communication is maintained among _friends. _“I have condescended,” he says, “far more to you than a mortal man is wont to condescen... [ Continue Reading ]
16._You have not chosen me. _He declares still more clearly that it must not be ascribed to their own merit, but to his grace, that they have arrived at so great an honor; for when he says that _he was not chosen by them_, it is as if he had said, that whatever they have they did not obtain by their... [ Continue Reading ]
17._These things I command you. _This too, was appropriately added, that the Apostles might know that mutual love among ministers is demanded above all things, that they may be employed, with one accord, in building up the Church of God; for there is no greater hindrance than when every one labors a... [ Continue Reading ]
18._If the world hate you. _After having armed the Apostles for the battle, Christ exhorts them likewise to patience; for the Gospel cannot be published without instantly driving the world to rage. Consequently, it will never be possible for godly teachers to avoid the hatred of the world. Christ gi... [ Continue Reading ]
19._If you were of the world. _This is another consolation, that the reason why they are _hated by the world _is, that they have been separated from it. Now, this is their true happiness and glory, for in this manner they have been rescued from destruction. _But I have chosen you out of the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Remember the word. _It might also be read in the indicative mood, _You remember the word_, and the meaning is not very different; but I think that it is more suitable to read it in the imperative mood, _Remember the word. _It is a confirmation of what Christ had spoken immediately before, when h... [ Continue Reading ]
21._But all these things they will do to you. _As the fury of the world is monstrous, when it is so enraged against the doctrine of its own salvation, Christ assigns the reason to be, that it is hurried on by blind ignorance to its own destruction; for no man would deliberately engage in battle agai... [ Continue Reading ]
22._If I had not come. _He had said that the Jews regarded the Gospel with hatred, because they did not know God. Lest any one should think that this tended to alleviate their guilt, he adds, that it is through malice that they are blind, just as if one were to shut his eyes, that he might not be co... [ Continue Reading ]
23._He who hateth me hateth my Father also. _This is a remarkable passage, which teaches us that no man can hate the doctrine of the Gospel without manifesting his impiety against God. There are many, indeed, who profess differently in words; for, though they abhor the Gospel, still they wish to be... [ Continue Reading ]
24._If I had not done among them the works _Under the word _works _he includes, in my opinion, all the proofs which he gave of his Divine glory; for by miracles, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, and by other demonstrations, he clearly proved that he was the Son of God, so that in him was plainly... [ Continue Reading ]
25._But that the word may be fulfilled. _What is contrary to nature appears to be incredible. But nothing is more contrary to reason than to hate God; and, therefore, Christ says that so great was the malice with which their minds were envenomed, that _they hated him without a cause _Christ quotes a... [ Continue Reading ]
26._But when the Comforter is come. _After having explained to the apostles that the Gospel ought not to be less highly valued by them, because it has many adversaries, even within the Church itself; Christ now, in opposition to the wicked fury of those men, produces the testimony of the Spirit, and... [ Continue Reading ]
27._And you also bear testimony. _Christ means that the testimony of _the Spirit _will not be of such a nature that the apostles shall have it for their private advantage, or that they alone shall enjoy it, but that by them it will be widely diffused, because they will be organs of the Holy Spirit,... [ Continue Reading ]