15:4

"A key word in this verse is the word remain (abide) which appears no fewer than eleven times in the passage. It seems to suggest an effortless resting in the Lord, confident in the promised union between the vine and the true branches. Furthermore John uses the word remain forty times in his Gospel and 27 more times in his epistles. In the context of this passage, it seems to emphasize an ongoing faith and loving obedience to the Father and the Son that results in fruit.

This is a new covenant thinking. The disciples and all believers since them must give up the idea that true Christianity emphasizes memberships and associations rather than life in Christ though the Spirit. "

John by Kenneth O. Gangel p 283

15:2

Boice escapes the difficulty of interpretation by translating cuts off (airo) as "lifts up", certainly one of its meanings. He argues, "This translation makes better sense of the passage in every way, and in addition it is much better theology. First , the emphasis of this opening section of the parable is, quite rightly, upon the care of the vine by the Father. It would be strange, granting this emphasis, if the first thing mentioned is the carrying away of unproductive branches. But it is not at all strange ot emphasize that the vine dresser first lift the branches up so that they may be better exposed to the sin and so the fruit will develop properly"

John by Kenneth O. Gangel quoting Boice: Boice, IV, p.228

15:2

Jesus noted, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away"

Elmer Town gives various interpretations and then his own conclusion.

"Theologians debate the identity of the unfruitful branch that is apparently cast away.

First some say it represents the true believer apostatizing. Armenians make reference to this passage to claim that Christians who do not abide in Christ are taken from Him, and their salvation is lost.

Second, those who believer in eternal security interpret the unfruitful branch as one who merely professes Christianity, but who was never truly united to Christ.

Third, others interpret this passage with a primary emphasis on fruit bearing, not salvation.

Fourth, the probable solution in seen in the word airei (takes away). This word is the root for resurrection (to take up). The focus here is fruit bearing; the vinedressser does not cut away a vine because it has no fruit but gently lifts it up to the sun so it has an opportunity to bear fruit. The first step of Christ in not judgment but encouragement."

The Gospel of John,Believe and Live, Elmer Towns p 150-151

John 15: central idea

Elmer Towns gives his idea on the central idea of John 15: "The foundation of the Christian life is the believer's union and communion with Christ, which is the central truth of the metaphor of the vine and the branches. One cannot read the New Testament without realizing the tremendous importance early Christians placed on the fact that they were in Christ and Christ was in them.... Spiritual life and fruitfulness have their source in Him and are manifestations of the reality of that union."

The Gospel of John,Believe and Live, Elmer Towns p 149-150