John 15:16

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Ye {G5210} have {G1586} not {G3756} chosen {G1586} me {G3165}, but {G235} I {G1473} have chosen {G1586} you {G5209}, and {G2532} ordained {G5087} you {G5209}, that {G2443} ye {G5210} should go {G5217} and {G2532} bring forth {G5342} fruit {G2590}, and {G2532} that your {G5216} fruit {G2590} should remain {G3306}: that {G2443} whatsoever {G3739}{G302}{G3748} ye shall ask {G154} of the Father {G3962} in {G1722} my {G3450} name {G3686}, he may give it {G1325} you {G5213}.

You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Context of John 15:16

John 15:16 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' extensive Upper Room Discourse, delivered to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion. This passage immediately follows the profound allegory of the "True Vine" (John 15:1-11), where Jesus emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him to bear spiritual fruit. In verse 16, Jesus shifts the focus from the disciples' responsibility to God's divine initiative, clarifying the origin and purpose of their calling.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Election and Initiative: The verse begins with the powerful statement, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." This highlights God's sovereign choice in calling His disciples, not based on their merit or prior decision, but on His gracious purpose. It underscores that salvation and service originate entirely with Christ. This concept of being chosen by God for a divine purpose is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen also in passages like Ephesians 1:4.
  • Purpose of Fruitfulness: Jesus states He "ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." The Greek word for "ordained" (tithemi) means to place, appoint, or establish, indicating a deliberate setting apart for a specific mission. The "fruit" (Greek: karpos) refers not just to converts, but to the full expression of a Christ-like character, good works, and obedience that glorifies God. This spiritual fruit, such as the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23, is intended to be lasting and impactful.
  • Empowerment for Prayer: The verse concludes with a remarkable promise: "that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." This assurance of answered prayer is directly linked to the divine election and the purpose of fruitfulness. It signifies that those chosen by Christ and bearing His fruit have a special privilege and authority in prayer, aligning their requests with God's will and purpose. This promise echoes and reinforces similar assurances found elsewhere in the Upper Room Discourse, such as John 14:13-14 and John 16:24.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's choice of "ordained" for the Greek word tithemi beautifully captures the idea of being purposefully appointed and set in place by Christ. It implies not just a selection, but an active commissioning. The emphasis on "fruit" (karpos) being "remain" (meno) connects directly to the theme of "abiding" (meno) in Christ from earlier in the chapter, suggesting that true spiritual fruit is not fleeting but enduring because it stems from a continuous connection with Him.

Practical Application

For believers today, John 15:16 offers immense comfort and clear direction:

  • Assurance in Christ's Choice: Understanding that Christ chose us first can bring deep assurance and humility. Our Christian life is not about our striving to earn God's favor, but a response to His gracious invitation and calling.
  • Purposeful Living: We are not called to idleness but to a life of spiritual productivity. This fruitfulness involves growing in character, serving others, and sharing the Gospel, all of which should have a lasting impact for God's kingdom.
  • Confidence in Prayer: The promise regarding prayer in Jesus' name reminds us that our access to the Father is through Christ, and our prayers are effective when they align with His purposes for our lives and for the fruit He desires us to bear.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 15:19

    If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

  • Jeremiah 1:5

    Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

  • Jeremiah 1:7

    But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  • Luke 6:13

    And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

  • 2 Timothy 3:15

    And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

  • 2 Timothy 3:17

    That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
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