John 15 5

John 15:5 kjv

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.

John 15:5 nkjv

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 niv

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

John 15:5 esv

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.

John 15:5 nlt

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15 verses

John 15 5 Meaning

John 15:5 conveys the profound truth of the believer's absolute dependence on Jesus Christ for spiritual life and productivity. Jesus declares Himself the "true vine" and His followers "the branches," illustrating a vital, organic union. It asserts that genuine spiritual fruitfulness—which encompasses transformed character, righteous deeds, and Kingdom impact—is not only possible but inevitable when one remains in continuous, intimate fellowship with Christ and He in them. Conversely, any attempt to produce lasting spiritual good apart from this union is declared utterly futile, emphasizing that Christ is the sole source of life and power for His followers.

John 15 5 Context

John chapter 15, known as the "True Vine" discourse, is delivered by Jesus to His disciples immediately after the Last Supper, just hours before His arrest and crucifixion. It builds upon the themes of abiding in Him and the coming of the Holy Spirit, which were introduced in earlier chapters of the Farewell Discourse (John 13-14). In Jewish culture, the vine was a prominent symbol of Israel (Psa 80, Isa 5, Jer 2). By declaring Himself "the true vine," Jesus subtly reclaims and redefines Israel's identity, asserting that He is the genuine source of life and covenant blessings, not the nation itself or mere adherence to the Law. The entire chapter emphasizes the intimate, reciprocal relationship between Christ and believers, necessary for spiritual life, love, and effective witness in the world, in light of His impending departure.

John 15 5 Word analysis

• I am: Greek Egō eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι). A powerful declaration of divinity, directly echoing God's self-revelation to Moses in Exod 3:14 ("I AM WHO I AM"). It asserts Jesus' pre-existence, self-sufficiency, and exclusive claim as the only source of life and salvation.
• the vine: Greek hē ampelos (ἡ ἄμπελος). Jesus' sixth "I AM" statement. "The" signifies His uniqueness and authenticity, presenting Himself as the true source of spiritual nourishment, in contrast to the historical, often unfaithful, vine of Israel. It denotes the foundational, life-giving root system.
• you are: Expresses the dependent nature of the branches.
• the branches: Greek ta klēmata (τὰ κλήματα). Represents individual believers. They derive their life, sap, and ability to bear fruit entirely from their connection to the vine. There is no independent existence or fruitfulness.
• If you remain: Greek Ho menōn (ὁ μένων), from menō. This verb signifies dwelling, abiding, continuing, or persisting in a place or relationship. It implies an active, ongoing, conscious, and relational choice to live in continuous communion with Jesus, accepting His words and guidance, not just a momentary belief or intellectual assent. It’s an inseparable bond.
• in me: Defines the spiritual sphere and source. The intimate spiritual union with Christ.
• and I in you: Signifies reciprocity; Christ's indwelling presence and life within the believer. This mutual indwelling is foundational to spiritual vitality.
• you will bear: An assured outcome, not a command. It is the natural, inevitable result of genuine connection and continuous communion.
• much fruit: Greek karpon polyn (καρπὸν πολύν). Refers to tangible manifestations of spiritual life: Christ-like character (love, joy, peace from Gal 5:22-23), righteous actions (obedience to God's commands), effective service, witness for Christ, and souls won for the Kingdom. "Much" suggests abundance and generosity.
• apart from me: Greek chōris emou (χωρὶς ἐμοῦ). Conveys absolute separation, severing the life-sustaining connection. It means without or independently of Jesus.
• you can do nothing: Greek ou dynasthe poiein ouden (οὐ δύνασθε ποιεῖν οὐδέν). This is an emphatic double negative, asserting an absolute impossibility. "Nothing" refers specifically to no genuine, spiritual, God-honoring, and eternally lasting fruit. It does not mean believers cannot perform any earthly actions, but rather that no effort or "good work" produced by human striving alone can achieve divine fruit or truly please God's heart in the Kingdom sense.

John 15 5 Bonus section

The concept of "remaining" (menō) carries a deeper significance of remaining in Christ's word and His love, as elaborated in John 15:7 and 15:9. This active relationship includes obedience to His commands. Therefore, abiding is not a static state but a dynamic spiritual commitment evidenced by loving submission to Christ's teachings. The Father, as the Vinedresser (John 15:1-2), plays an active role in nurturing and purifying the branches (pruning), sometimes through painful circumstances, to ensure even greater fruitfulness. This highlights that while believers must abide, God the Father also actively works to facilitate and enhance their spiritual growth. The absolute dependency asserted in John 15:5 implies that genuine salvation also involves a transformed life, bearing fruit, not merely intellectual assent; while works don't save, salvation works.

John 15 5 Commentary

John 15:5 is the theological epicenter of Christ's teaching on spiritual fruitfulness. Jesus' "I AM" claim as the True Vine highlights His exclusive authority and role as the sole source of life for humanity. The metaphor of the vine and branches perfectly illustrates an organic, vital, and indispensable union. Believers are not merely associated with Christ; they are spiritually connected, drawing life-sustaining nourishment directly from Him.

The key to this union and resulting fruitfulness is "remaining" or "abiding." This isn't passive rest but an active, continuous, and intentional dwelling in Christ through obedient faith, listening to His Word, maintaining prayerful communion, and allowing His presence to permeate one's entire being. It signifies a profound, lived relationship. The "much fruit" that results is not an achievement gained through self-effort, but a natural outflow of this deep connection—the spontaneous, Spirit-empowered evidence of Christ's life within the believer. This fruit includes the development of Christ-like character (e.g., Gal 5:22-23) and works of righteousness for His Kingdom.

The stark warning, "apart from me you can do nothing," underscores human inability. It's a forceful assertion that spiritual self-sufficiency is a delusion. Without Christ, any attempts to live righteously, serve God, or produce lasting spiritual impact will be fruitless from God's eternal perspective. This is not about failing to perform worldly tasks but failing to bear divine fruit. This verse calls believers to total reliance on Jesus, recognizing that true vitality and Kingdom impact flow solely from intimate dependence on Him.

Examples for practical usage:

• A believer spending daily time in the Word and prayer, allowing Christ's words to shape their mind and heart, leading to increased patience in their interactions.
• Someone dedicated to service, not from duty, but out of a deep love for Christ that overflows into genuine compassion for others, seeing their efforts bring lasting change in lives.
• A person facing temptation who, instead of relying on willpower, consciously turns to Christ for strength, finding an inner resolve that overcomes sin.