I Am the Vine (John 15)
Under the parable of a vine Christ setteth forth God's government of his church, and exhorteth his disciples to abide in his faith and doctrine: 12 he commandeth them to love one another, according to the great love he had shewed for them: 18 forewarneth them of the hatred and persecution of the world: 26 and telleth them of the testimony which the Holy Ghost, and they also, should bear to him. I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [578] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [579] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [580] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much [581] fruit: for ‖‖ Or, severed from me.Acts 4. 12. without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, [582] he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, [583] ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. [584] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; [585] so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. [586] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [587] that your joy might be full. ¶ [588] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [589] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [590] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; [591] for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [592] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and [593] ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that [594] whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
[595] These things I command you, that ye love one another.