283 Verse 1 f.― “I am the true [genuine] Vine.” Cf. Ps. 80:8-16; Jer. 2:2121Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? (Jeremiah 2:21). As to the difference between ἀληθὴς and ἀληθινὸς used here (as in 17:3 of God), see Trench, “Studies,” p. 274, or his work on “Synonyms of the New Testament.” So of Christ as the genuine Bread in 6:32. It speaks of what is original, archetypal, the Vine of heaven. Alford’s idea that we here have the “Visible Church” is, as Ryle, in his excellent “Expository Thoughts,” has said, altogether unsatisfactory. For “husbandman” cf. Luke 13:77Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? (Luke 13:7), only that there the word used is ἀμπελουογός, as to which, and the use made by Arians of it, see Trench, cf. cit., p. 276, note. The “vine of the earth” John sets before us in the Apocalypse: a terrible ending it will have. Many do not clearly distinguish between the harvest and the vintage there (14:18).
284 Cf. Paul’s doctrine of “in Christ,” upon which Alford touches at the end of his note.
Use of this verse has been prominent in the “Arminian” controversy.
If H. Holtzmann could but apprehend the distinct bearing of v. 22, he would not venture to pit that passage against this, as if they were inconsistent.
285 Verse 3.―Observe the emphatic “ye,” the ὑμεῖς being expressed for the disciples’ comfort. Cf. 13:10. The expositor’s remarks here call for special attention.
“I have spoken.” Cf. 5:24, 8:31 f. Man is not to judge (“criticize”) God’s word, but to let it search his conscience (12:48). What was then the spoken is now for us the written word. When justified, the Christian needs practical, following on positional, sanctification, which detaches from much that would otherwise hinder “advance in grace” (2 Pet. 3:1818But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)). Few things can be more blighting than what passes as “Higher Criticism,” putting Scripture into man’s mortar and applying his pestle to it. Is there not pride, self-satisfaction, which is “of the world” (1 John 2:1616For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)) behind it all? God forbid that, in writing so, one should even seem to assume a “superior tone.” All by nature alike are tarred with the same brush.
286 Verse 4 ff.― “Abide in Me. . . much fruit.” Cf. Col. 1:2727To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27); 2 Pet. 1:5-115And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5‑11).
287 Verse 6.― ἐβλήθη. Cf. ὲδοξάθη in verse 8. Winer: “immediate result.” Abbott would regard this use of the Greek tense as a “Hebraic instantaneous aorist” (“Johannine Grammar,” §2,445: he compares Isa. 40:6-86The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:6‑8)). “They gather... cast.” Cf. Matt. 5:1515Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (Matthew 5:15); Mark 1:3030But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. (Mark 1:30); Luke 16:99And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luke 16:9). Alford follows Meyer, who refers it to the “day of judgment.”
288 Cf. “Exposition of the Epistles.” p. 229
289 Verse 7 f.―For the bearer of our Lord’s words here on the “Higher Criticism,” see ibid., pp. 144-147; and as to “Development,” p. 154. See, in particular, 2 John 99Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9), and observe that in the present passage Christ’s words are inseparable from Himself (verse 4).
290 Verse 11.―Ryle (p. 122) quotes a happy remark of Cyril, ad loc.: “Christians find their joy in that over which Christ rejoices.”
290b Verse 13.―This would be the highest reach of what is now called “Altruism.” But cf. Matt. 5:4444But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44). The present writer has heard Dr. Coit admit that “ethical religion” has in this a hard task in rivalry with Christianity.
291 Verse 15.―Cf. Luke 12:44And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (Luke 12:4) for a previous occasion when the Lord called the disciples His “friends.” A striking illustration of the difference between “friend” and “servant,” as regards communications made, presents itself in the incident recorded of Jonathan in contrast with his attendant (1 Sam. 20).
291b Verse 19.― “The world.” This, in the words of Westcott, stands for “the organization of society alien from, and opposed to, God” (cf. 1 John 11:1515And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. (John 11:15)). “Chosen you out”: here is the idea of the Church (ἐκκλησία).
292 Verses 22-24.―In verse 22 note the words; in verse 24, the works.
Verse 22.―Cf. 16:9. Scott writes: “To the mind of John sin in itself involves no moral culpability; sin is in itself a mere privation” (p. 220). The “City Temple” homilies have offered the same withering sentiment for the delectation of “the man in the street.” In his First Epistle the Evangelist lays down, “Sin is lawlessness,” which should be read in connection with the words immediately preceding (3:3 f.). Such ministers are at direct issue with both Paul and John. One of these Apostles uses language in that same letter (4:6) which might warn them to reconsider their position in view of the βῆμα of Christ. The Epistle supposes throughout acquaintance with the Gospel.
292a The Lord avoided needless irritation of the Jews. How could the words of the Psalm quoted be made to agree with Burkitt’s remarks on the discussion in Chapter 8?
293 Verse 26.―For this “procession” the Gnostics substituted their “emanation.” Norris has a good note on the Catholic doctrine.
The witness that the Holy Spirit bears is another evidence of personality. Observe that the Lord has sent, not merely, as an influence, imparted the Spirit. For later Scriptural designations of the third “Person” of the Trinity, cf. Acts 16:77After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (Acts 16:7); Gal. 4:66And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6); Phil. 1:99And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (Philippians 1:9).