John 15 6

John 15:6 kjv

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:6 nkjv

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:6 niv

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

John 15:6 esv

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.

John 15:6 nlt

Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.

John 15 verses

John 15 6 Meaning

This verse speaks to the dire consequences of spiritual separation from Christ. It states that just as a branch detached from the vine withers and becomes useless, unable to produce fruit, so too will individuals who do not abide in Jesus be cast aside and perish. This casting aside leads to a spiritual unfruitfulness and ultimately, a divine judgment.

John 15 6 Context

In John chapter 15, Jesus is speaking to His disciples at the Last Supper, shortly before His crucifixion. He is using the metaphor of a vine and its branches to explain the crucial importance of their union with Him for spiritual vitality and fruitfulness. This teaching follows His departure, emphasizing that true spiritual life and efficacy are entirely dependent on remaining connected to Him, the source of all life. The disciples were in a time of transition and needed assurance and guidance on how to live faithfully after His physical absence. This discourse occurs in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, a place imbued with the significance of the Passover.

John 15 6 Word Analysis

• "He who does not abide in me":

  • "He" (Greek: houtos) refers to any person.
  • "does not abide" (Greek: menēi) - meno means to remain, stay, continue, not to depart from. It implies a continuous, abiding connection, not a fleeting association. This Greek verb is used frequently by John to emphasize permanence and steadfastness in relationship with Christ.
  • "in me" (Greek: en emoi) signifies being within, part of, closely connected to Christ. It speaks of intimate, living union.

• "is cast out":

  • "is cast out" (Greek: ekballētai) - The passive voice suggests an action taken by another, likely the Father (as seen in verse 1). The verb ballō means to throw or cast. It carries a strong sense of forceful expulsion, separation, and abandonment. This reflects divine action in removing something unfruitful.

• "like a branch":

  • "like" (Greek: hōs) - This is a simile, comparing the unfruitful person to a detached branch.
  • "a branch" (Greek: klēma) - This is the specific word for a shoot or branch of a vine.

• "wither":

  • "wither" (Greek: xerainetai) - The verb xarainō means to dry up, to become dry, parched, or withered. It signifies a loss of vitality, life, and moisture, leading to decay.

• "and they are gathered":

  • "they are gathered" (Greek: synageousin) - This indicates the process of collecting what has withered.

• "and thrown into the fire":

  • "thrown" (Greek: ballontai) - Again, ballō, a forceful casting away.
  • "into the fire" (Greek: eis pur) - The fire represents complete destruction, judgment, and eternal separation. This imagery is consistent with apocalyptic language for the ultimate fate of the unrighteous.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • The pairing of "abide" and "cast out" forms a critical antithesis. Abiding in Christ is presented as essential for life and fruitfulness, while the failure to abide leads to a violent, destructive removal.
  • The metaphor of the branch that "withers" and is "thrown into the fire" vividly illustrates the consequence of this spiritual disconnection: not merely inactivity, but a progression from drying up (loss of spiritual vitality) to utter destruction.

John 15 6 Bonus Section

The imagery of branches withered and cast into the fire for destruction resonates with earlier teachings of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:10 and Luke 3:9, where he states that the axe is already at the root of the trees and that every tree not bearing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Jesus Himself echoes this sentiment in His parables, such as the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), where some seed falls on rocky ground or among thorns, representing those who hear the word but do not persevere, being choked or having no root. This verse emphasizes that "abiding" is not a passive state but an active, ongoing process of remaining in Christ's love through obedience and reliance. The spiritual analogy of the vine was deeply familiar to Jesus' audience from the Old Testament, particularly in passages describing Israel as a vine that failed to produce good fruit, leading to divine judgment (Psalm 80:8-16, Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 2:21). This underscores Jesus' claim of being the true, ideal vine.

John 15 6 Commentary

This verse powerfully warns believers that a genuine, living connection with Christ is not optional but foundational to Christian existence. It distinguishes between merely being associated with Christ and truly abiding in Him. Those who fail to maintain this intimate relationship, characterized by faith, obedience, and dependence, face a terrifying outcome: spiritual withering, meaning a loss of God's presence and power, followed by a decisive casting away by God, akin to branches cut from the vine and destroyed. This speaks to the seriousness of perseverance in faith and the ultimate judgment that awaits those who do not remain connected to the life-giving Vine. It is a call to constant reliance and submission to Christ's will, as separation leads to desolation and condemnation.