---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "I am. See on John 14:6  true = real. App-175 .  vine . Three trees are used in the N.T. to teach important lessons. The fig is used by our Lord to show t"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/john/15"
---

**I am.** See on [John 14:6](../../../kjv/john/14/6)
**true** = real. App-175 .
**vine** . Three trees are used in the N.T. to teach important lessons. The fig is used by our Lord to show the causes of the doom of Israel. In [Romans 11](../../../kjv/romans/11) , Paul applies the figure of the olive tree also to Israel, and utters a solemn warning to the Gentiles; i.e. all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called ([Acts 15:17](../../../kjv/acts/15/17) ), now grafted in in Israel's place. The vine speaks of Israel's temporal and spiritual blessings ([Psalms 8](../../../kjv/psalms/8) 0 and [Isaiah 5](../../../kjv/isaiah/5) ). That vine failed. Henceforth there is no blessing for Israel as such till He comes Who is the true Israel ([Isaiah 49:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/8) ), as He is the true vine. Then shall [Isaiah 27:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/6) be fulfilled. The *interpretation* of this passage is for Israel alone, though many blessed lessons may be drawn from it, by way of application. Through reading the "Church" into these verses, great confusion has resulted and grievous distress been caused to the people of God.
**My Father** . See [John 2:16](../../../kjv/john/2/16) .

**branch.** Greek. *klema.* Only here, and verses: [John 15:4](../../../kjv/john/15/4) , [John 15:5](../../../kjv/john/15/5) , [John 15:6](../../../kjv/john/15/6) .
**in** . Greek *en.* App-104 . not. Greek. *me.* App-106 .
**taketh away** = raiseth. Greek. *airo.* Occurs 102 times, and translates more than forty times, take up, lift up, &c. Take away is a secondary meaning, see the Lexicons. Compare [Matthew 4:6](../../../kjv/matthew/4/6) ; [Matthew 16:24](../../../kjv/matthew/16/24) .[Luke 17:13](../../../kjv/luke/17/13) .[Revelation 10:5](../../../kjv/revelation/10/5) ; [Revelation 18:21](../../../kjv/revelation/18/21) , and [Psalms 24:7](../../../kjv/psalms/24/7) , [Psalms 24:9](../../../kjv/psalms/24/9) (Septuagint)
**purgeth** = cleanseth. Greek *kathairo.* Occurs only here, and [Hebrews 10:2](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/2) . Of the two kinds of branches, the fruitless and the fruitful, He raises the former from grovelling on the ground, that it may bear fruit, and cleanses the latter that it may bear more fruit.
**that** = in order that. Greek. *hina.*
**bring forth** = bear. Same word as in the two previous clauses.

**Now** = Already. clean. Greek. *katharos. Compare* [John 13:10](../../../kjv/john/13/10) , [John 13:11](../../../kjv/john/13/11) , the only other occurance in John, and the verb *kathairo* in [John 15:2](../../../kjv/john/15/2) .
**through** = on account of. App-104
**word** . Greek. *logos.* See on [Mark 9:32](../../../kjv/mark/9/32) .
**unto** = to

**Abide** . Greek. *meno.* See p. 1511.
**and I** . Read "I also [abide] in you". Omit the full stop, and supply "for".
**cannot** = is not ( App-105 ) able to.
**of.** Greek. *apo.* App-104 .
**except** = if . . . not. Greek. *ean me.* App-118 and App-105 .
**no more** = even so neither. Greek *houtos oude.*

**without.** Greek *choris,* apart from. Compare [John 1:3](../../../kjv/john/1/3) and [John 20:7](../../../kjv/john/20/7) (by itself), the only other occurance in John.
**nothing** . Greek. *ou ouden,* a double negative.

**If a man . . . not** . Greek. *ean me tis.* App-118 and App-123 . See "except" in [John 15:4](../../../kjv/john/15/4) . It is no longer "you "or "ye" but "any one", speaking generally.
**is cast forth . . . is withered** . (Both verbs are in the Aorist) = was cast forth, &c., perhaps referring to the fig-tree ([Matthew 21:19](../../../kjv/matthew/21/19) , and App-156 ). Compare [Matthew 13:6](../../../kjv/matthew/13/6) .
**a** = the.
**men** = they. Compare [Matthew 13:30](../../../kjv/matthew/13/30) , [Matthew 13:39](../../../kjv/matthew/13/39) , [Matthew 13:41](../../../kjv/matthew/13/41) .
**into** . Greek. *eis.* App-104 .
**the fire** . No art. in received text, but added by T Tr. A WI R, making it emphatic. See [Matthew 13:40](../../../kjv/matthew/13/40) , [Matthew 13:42](../../../kjv/matthew/13/42) .[Revelation 20:15](../../../kjv/revelation/20/15) .

**If.** App-118 .
**words** sayings. Greek *rhema.* See [Mark 9:32](../../../kjv/mark/9/32) .
**ye shall ask.** All the texts read "ask". Compare [John 14:13](../../../kjv/john/14/13) , [John 14:14](../../../kjv/john/14/14) . Greek *aiteo.* App-134 .
**will** . Greek. *thelo.* App-102 .
**be done** = come to pass. Greek. *ginomai.*

**Herein** = In (Greek. *en.* App-104 .) this.
**is . . . glorified** = was . . . glorified (Aorist). Greek *doxazo.* See p. 1511 and Compare [John 13:31](../../../kjv/john/13/31) .
**that** = in order that (Greek. *hina),* showing the Father's purpose. Compare [John 11:15](../../../kjv/john/11/15) , [John 11:50](../../../kjv/john/11/50) ; [John 12:33](../../../kjv/john/12/33) ; [John 13:1-3](../../../kjv/john/13/1-3) .
**so shall ye be** = and (that) ye may become. Greek *ginomai.* See on "done "in [John 15:7](../../../kjv/john/15/7) .

**As** = Even as. Greek *kathos.*
**the Father** . See on [John 1:14](../../../kjv/john/1/14) .
**hath loved** = loved. Aor. as in second clause. App-135 .
**continue** = abide. Greek. *meno,* as in [John 15:4](../../../kjv/john/15/4) .
**love.** App-135 ., and see p. 1511.

**keep.** Greek. *tereo.* Compare [John 8:51](../../../kjv/john/8/51) , [John 8:2](../../../kjv/john/8/2) , [John 8:55](../../../kjv/john/8/55) ; [John 14:15](../../../kjv/john/14/15) , [John 14:21](../../../kjv/john/14/21) , [John 14:23](../../../kjv/john/14/23) , [John 14:24](../../../kjv/john/14/24) .

**My joy** = the joy that is mine (emph.) Three times in John, here, [John 3:29](../../../kjv/john/3/29) , and [John 17:13](../../../kjv/john/17/13) .
**remain** = abide. Greek *meno* as above, but all the texts read "be".
**your joy** . As He gave them His peace ([John 14:27](../../../kjv/john/14/27) ), so He seeks to make them partakers of His joy.
**might be full** = may be fulfilled: i.e. filled full.

**My commandment** . My charge to you. As the Father's charge to Me ([John 15:10](../../../kjv/john/15/10) ) so My charge to you. Compare [John 13:34](../../../kjv/john/13/34) .
**as** = even as. have
**loved** = loved, as in [John 15:9](../../../kjv/john/15/9) .

**no man** = no one. Greek. *oudeis.*
**a man** = one. Greek. *tis.* App-123 .
**lay down** . Greek. *tithemi,* literally place; translated "giveth" in [John 10:11](../../../kjv/john/10/11) ; "lay down "in [John 10:15](../../../kjv/john/10/15) , [John 10:17](../../../kjv/john/10/17) , [John 10:18](../../../kjv/john/10/18) ; [John 13:37](../../../kjv/john/13/37) , [John 13:38](../../../kjv/john/13/38) ; [1 John 3:16](../../../kjv/1-john/3/16) .
**life.** App-110 .
**for** = in behalf of. Greek. *huper.* App-104 .
**friends** *(Greek. philos,* noun of *phileo.* App-135 .) = those whom one loves. Compare [John 13:1](../../../kjv/john/13/1) .[Romans 5:6-8](../../../kjv/romans/5/6-8) .

**whatsoever** . The texts read "the things which".

**Henceforth . . . not** = No longer. Greek. *ouketi,* compound of ou.
**servants** = bondservants.
**knoweth** . App-132 .
**not.** Greek. *ou.* App-105 .
**lord.** Greek *kurios.* App-98 .
**of** ***=*** ** with. Greek *para.* App-104 .
**have made known** = made known (Aor.)

**y e have not** , &c. = Not that ye chose Me, &c. Figure of speech *Antimetabole.* App-6 . Thus reversing the custom of the Jews for the disciple to choose his own master. See Dr. John Lightfoot, *Works,* vol. iii. p. 175.
**have chosen** = chose.
**ordained** = placed. Greek. *tithemi,* as in [John 15:13](../../../kjv/john/15/13) . Compare [1 Timothy 1:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/1/12) ; 1Ti 2:7 . [2 Timothy 1:11](../../../kjv/2-timothy/1/11) .[Hebrews 1:2](../../../kjv/hebrews/1/2) .
**go** = go forth.
**ask of** = ask, as in [John 15:7](../../../kjv/john/15/7) .

**If** . App-118 .
**world** . Greek. *kosmos.* See [John 14:17](../../../kjv/john/14/17) and App-129 .
**ye know** = know (imperative mood) Greek. *ginosko.* App-132 .
**hated** = hath hated. Therefore continues to hate.

**of** = out of. Greek *ek.* App-104 .
**would love** . Would love and continue loving (Imperfect). Greek. *phileo.* App-135 . have
**chosen** = chose.
**out of** *. Greek. ek,* as above.
**therefore** = on account of (Greek. *dia.* App-104 .[John 15:2](../../../kjv/john/15/2); [John 15:2](../../../kjv/john/15/2) ) this.

**Remember** . Referring to [John 13:16](../../../kjv/john/13/16) .
**have persecuted** = persecuted (Aor.) Greek. *dioko = to* pursue (opposite to *pheugo,* to flee), here with malignant intent. It is translated thirty-one times "persecute", and thirteen times "follow", &c. in a good sense. Compare [Acts 9:4](../../../kjv/acts/9/4) . In [Luke 11:49](../../../kjv/luke/11/49) and [1 Thessalonians 2:18](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/18) a stronger word, *ekdioko, is* used.
**also,** &c. = persecute you also.
**have kept** = kept (Aor.)
**saying.** Greek *logos.* Same as "word" above, and in [John 3:25](../../../kjv/john/3/25) .

**unto.** The received text has the dative, but all the texts read *eis* ( App-104 .)
**for My name's sake** = on account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .[John 15:2](../../../kjv/john/15/2); [John 15:2](../../../kjv/john/15/2) ) My name. See [Acts 4:7](../../../kjv/acts/4/7) , [Acts 4:17](../../../kjv/acts/4/17) , [Acts 4:18](../../../kjv/acts/4/18) ; [Acts 5:40](../../../kjv/acts/5/40) , [Acts 5:41](../../../kjv/acts/5/41) ; [Acts 9:14](../../../kjv/acts/9/14) , [Acts 9:16](../../../kjv/acts/9/16) , [Acts 9:21](../../../kjv/acts/9/21) ; [1 Peter 4:14](../../../kjv/1-peter/4/14) , [1 Peter 4:16](../../../kjv/1-peter/4/16) , where all the texts read "name" instead of "behalf".
**Him That sent Me.** See on [John 14:24](../../../kjv/john/14/24) .

**had . . . come** , &c. = came and spake.
**had not had sin** = would not have (imperf.) sin, i.e. in rejecting Him as the Messiah. Figure of speech *Heterasis.* App-6 . sin. App-128 .
**now.** Greek. *nun.* See [John 12:27](../../../kjv/john/12/27) .
**no** = not ( App-105 ) any.
**cloke** = excuse. Greek. *prophasis.* Occurs seven times, rendered "pretence" in [Matthew 23:14](../../../kjv/matthew/23/14) .[Mark 12:40](../../../kjv/mark/12/40) . [Philippians 1:1](../../../kjv/philippians/1/1) , [Philippians 1:18](../../../kjv/philippians/1/18) ; "shew", [Luke 20:47](../../../kjv/luke/20/47) ; ' colour", [Acts 27:30](../../../kjv/acts/27/30) , and "cloke", here and [1 Thessalonians 2:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/5) .
**for** = concerning. Greek. *peri.* App-104 .

**among** . Greek. *en.* App-104 .
**none other man** = no one else. Greek *oudeis altos.* App-124 . Compare [John 5:36](../../../kjv/john/5/36) ; [John 9:30](../../../kjv/john/9/30) .
**they had not** , &c. Same as in [John 15:22](../../../kjv/john/15/22) . Notice the different negatives me and ou in the two clauses of the verse as in [John 15:22](../../../kjv/john/15/22) .
**seen** . Greek *horao.* App-133 .

**fulfilled.** See note on "full" in [John 15:11](../../../kjv/john/15/11) .
**their law** . Compare [John 8:17](../../../kjv/john/8/17) .
**They hated** , &c. Quoted from [Psalms 35:19](../../../kjv/psalms/35/19) with [Psalms 69:4](../../../kjv/psalms/69/4) . Compare also [Psalms 109:3](../../../kjv/psalms/109/3) with [Psalms 119:161](../../../kjv/psalms/119/161) .
**without a cause** . Greek *dorean.* Occurs eight times; translated "freely" in [Matthew 10:8](../../../kjv/matthew/10/8) . Rom 3:24 . [2 Corinthians 11:7](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/7) . [Revelation 21:6](../../../kjv/revelation/21/6) ; [Revelation 22:17](../../../kjv/revelation/22/17) , "in vain", [Galatians 2:21](../../../kjv/galatians/2/21) "for nought", [2 Thessalonians 3:8](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/3/8) .

**the Comforter** . See [John 14:16](../../../kjv/john/14/16) .
**is come** = shall have come.
**send** . Greek. *pempo.* App-174 .
**from** . Greek. *para.* App-104 .
**the Spirit of truth** . See on [John 14:17](../../../kjv/john/14/17) .
**proceedeth** = goeth forth.
**he.** Greek. *ekeinos,* as in [John 14:26](../../../kjv/john/14/26) .
**shall** = will; one of the many instances where both Authorized Version and Revised Version blur the sense of their translation by the misuse of "shall "and "will".
**testify** = bear witness. Greek. *martureo.* See note on [John 1:7](../../../kjv/john/1/7) .
**of** = concerning. Greek. *peri.* App-104 .

**shall bear witness** = testify, or are testifying (present).
**ye have been** = ye are.
**with** . Greek. *meta.* App-104 .
**from the beginning** . See note on [John 8:44](../../../kjv/john/8/44) .

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