283 Verse 1 f.― “I am the true [genuine] Vine.” Cf. Ps. 80:8-16; Jer. 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 13:7, 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. 3:18). 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 2:16) 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. 1:27; 2 Pet. 1:5-11.
It is manifestly a question of “laying up in store” against “the time to come,” the “day of Christ,” the time of recompense (1 Tim. 6:19―τὸ μὲλλον and 2 Tim. 4:8). McGiffert would have it that the Evangelist here represents the Lord as saying that He dwelt in His followers even during His earthly life (p. 493).
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. 40:6-8). “They gather... cast.” Cf. Matt. 5:15; Mark 1:30; 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 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.”
290a Verse 12.―This is developed in 1 John 4:14. Illingworth: “The essence of the life is love” (chapter 5.).
290b Verse 13.―This would be the highest reach of what is now called “Altruism.” But cf. Matt. 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 12:4 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).
291a From here to 16:20, cf. Matt. 10:17-22.
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 11:15). “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 16:7; Gal. 4:6; Phil. 1:9.