John 15:2

KJV

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

KJV (with Strong's)

Every {G3956} branch {G2814} in {G1722} me {G1698} that {G846} beareth {G5342} not {G3361} fruit {G2590} he taketh away {G142}: and {G2532} every {G3956} branch that beareth {G5342} fruit {G2590}, he purgeth {G2508} it {G846}, that {G2443} it may bring forth {G5342} more {G4119} fruit {G2590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit.

Berean Standard Bible

He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

American Standard Version

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 15:2 is a foundational verse within Jesus' "Vine and Branches" discourse, illustrating God the Father's active role as the divine Vinedresser in the lives of His followers. It presents a stark contrast between two types of branches connected to Jesus, the True Vine: those that bear no fruit, which are removed, and those that bear fruit, which are pruned to yield even greater spiritual productivity. This verse underscores the expectation of fruitfulness in the Christian life and the purposeful, sometimes painful, process of divine cultivation aimed at spiritual growth and glorifying God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, recorded in [John 13-17](/john/13 "John 13-17 - Jesus' Farewell Discourse"). Specifically, it immediately follows Jesus' self-identification as the "true vine" and God the Father as the "vinedresser" in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"). The entire discourse in John 15 emphasizes the absolute necessity of abiding in Christ for spiritual life and fruitfulness. Jesus' words here serve as both a promise of divine care and a warning regarding the consequences of spiritual barrenness, setting the stage for His subsequent commands to love one another and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Viticulture (grape cultivation) was a prominent agricultural practice and a deeply resonant cultural symbol in ancient Israel. Vines and vineyards frequently appeared in the Old Testament as metaphors for Israel, often depicting its relationship with God, sometimes as fruitful ([Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")) and other times as corrupt or barren ([Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - Israel as a Degenerate Vine")). Jesus' audience, familiar with these images, would have immediately grasped the implications of a branch's purpose: to bear fruit. The practice of pruning was also well-understood; vinedressers meticulously removed dead wood and excess growth to channel the vine's energy into fruit production, a vital and often rigorous process.
* **Key Themes:** John 15:2 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Care**, portraying God the Father as intimately involved in the spiritual health and productivity of His people, actively cultivating them. The verse also strongly emphasizes the **Necessity of Fruitfulness** as evidence of genuine spiritual life and connection to Christ, a concept echoed in other New Testament passages like [Matthew 7:16-20](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - By Their Fruits You Will Know Them"). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Sanctification through Pruning**, revealing that God's discipline and challenges are not punitive but purifying, designed to refine believers and enable them to bear "more fruit," aligning with the idea of spiritual growth and maturity found in passages such as [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taketh away (Greek, _aírō'_):** This primary root word means "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away." While it can mean to lift or carry, in the context of an unfruitful branch, its implication is clearly removal or cutting off. This signifies a decisive separation from the vine, indicating that a professed connection without genuine spiritual life or productivity leads to ultimate severance.
* **purgeth (Greek, _kathaírō'_):** Derived from the word for "clean" (katharós), this verb means "to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate." In viticulture, pruning involves cutting away unproductive growth, diseased parts, or even healthy shoots to redirect the plant's energy. Spiritually, it refers to God's active work of purification and refinement in a believer's life, removing anything that hinders greater fruitfulness, even if the process is challenging.
* **fruit (Greek, _karpós'_):** This term refers to "fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively." In the context of John 15, "fruit" is a comprehensive metaphor for the tangible evidence of a life lived in union with Christ. This includes Christ-like character (e.g., the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), righteous actions, obedience to God's commands, and effective witness that brings glory to God and draws others to Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:"** This clause describes the solemn consequence for a branch that is ostensibly "in" Jesus but fails to produce fruit. The phrase "in me" suggests a professed or superficial connection, not necessarily a genuine, life-giving union. The "taking away" (aírō) implies removal, severance, or cutting off from the vine, signifying a lack of true spiritual vitality and ultimately, separation from the source of life.
* **"and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it,"** This clause shifts focus to the fruitful branch. For those genuinely connected to Christ and demonstrating spiritual fruit, the Father, as the Vinedresser, actively "purges" or prunes them. This is not punitive but a purposeful act of refinement, involving the removal of impurities, distractions, or even healthy but unproductive growth, to enhance the branch's capacity for fruitfulness.
* **"that it may bring forth more fruit."** This final clause reveals the ultimate purpose of God's pruning: to increase the spiritual productivity of the believer. The divine discipline and refinement process, though potentially painful or challenging, is an act of love designed to deepen spiritual maturity, remove hindrances, and enable the believer to bear an abundance of fruit that glorifies God.

#### Literary Devices
John 15:2 is rich in literary devices that enhance its profound theological message. The central device is **Metaphor**, where Jesus uses the familiar imagery of a **vine and branches** to represent His relationship with His followers and God's role in their spiritual lives. This extended metaphor makes abstract spiritual truths tangible and relatable. **Symbolism** is also prominent, with "fruit" symbolizing the tangible evidence of spiritual life, character, and obedience, and "pruning" symbolizing divine discipline, purification, and sanctification. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing the fate of the "branch that beareth not fruit" with that of the "branch that beareth fruit," highlighting the two distinct outcomes based on spiritual productivity and genuine connection. This contrast underscores the critical importance of bearing fruit as a sign of true discipleship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 15:2 profoundly illustrates God's active and sovereign involvement in the spiritual lives of believers. It reveals that God is not a passive observer but a diligent Vinedresser who meticulously tends to His vineyard. His actions, whether removing the barren or pruning the fruitful, are driven by a singular purpose: to maximize spiritual fruitfulness and glorify Himself. This verse underscores the biblical truth that genuine faith is never barren; it always produces evidence of new life. The concept of pruning highlights the often challenging but essential process of sanctification, where God lovingly removes anything that hinders our growth, refining us through trials and His Word to conform us more closely to the image of Christ and enable us to bear abundant fruit for His kingdom.

* [Matthew 7:16-20](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - By Their Fruits You Will Know Them")
* [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline and Fruitfulness")
* [Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17-24 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and Branches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 15:2 calls believers to a profound self-examination regarding the authenticity and productivity of their spiritual lives. It challenges us to honestly assess whether our connection to Christ is merely superficial or a vibrant, life-giving union evidenced by tangible spiritual fruit. This "fruit" is not primarily about outward achievements but about the inward transformation of character, reflecting the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as well as actions of righteousness and obedience. Furthermore, the verse invites us to embrace the often uncomfortable reality of God's pruning. When we face trials, difficulties, or periods of refinement, we can understand them as the loving hand of the Vinedresser, cutting away impurities, unproductive habits, or misdirected affections that hinder our spiritual growth. This process, though sometimes painful, is essential for deeper maturity and greater effectiveness in bearing "more fruit" for God's glory. Our primary focus, therefore, must remain on abiding in Christ, recognizing that all fruitfulness flows directly from our intimate connection with Him through prayer, His Word, and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "fruit" is evident in my life, demonstrating a genuine connection to Jesus Christ?**
* **How have I experienced God's "pruning" in my life, and how did I respond to it?**
* **What "unfruitful" areas or distractions might God be seeking to remove from my life to enable greater spiritual productivity?**
* **In what ways can I deepen my "abiding" in Christ to ensure a continuous flow of life and fruitfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does "he taketh away" mean a believer can lose their salvation?**

Answer: The interpretation of "he taketh away" (Greek: _aírō_) in [John 15:2](/john/15-2 "John 15:2 - The Vine and Branches") is a point of theological discussion. Some interpret it as referring to those who have a superficial or merely professing connection to Christ but were never truly regenerated, hence their removal signifies a lack of genuine saving faith. In this view, the "branch in me" refers to outward association rather than inward spiritual union. Others view it as a warning to true believers about the consequences of unfruitfulness, though not necessarily implying a loss of salvation, but perhaps a loss of reward or effectiveness. However, the consistent teaching of Scripture on the security of the believer (e.g., [John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"), [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - God's Unfailing Love")) suggests that those genuinely "in Christ" by saving faith are eternally secure. Therefore, the "taking away" is best understood as the removal of those who, though outwardly connected, never truly belonged to the Vine in a life-giving way, or as a severe warning about the grave importance of genuine fruitfulness.

**What kind of "fruit" is Jesus referring to in this passage?**

Answer: In the context of [John 15](/john/15 "John 15 - Abiding in the Vine"), the "fruit" Jesus refers to is multifaceted and encompasses the tangible evidence of a life transformed by union with Him. Primarily, it refers to **Christ-like character**, often summarized as the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit") (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). It also includes **righteous actions and obedience** to God's commands, particularly the command to love one another ([John 15:12](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - Love One Another")). Furthermore, "fruit" can refer to **effective witness** that leads others to Christ and brings glory to God ([John 15:8](/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - Glorifying the Father through Fruit")). Ultimately, fruitfulness is the natural outflow of abiding in Christ, demonstrating the reality of His life flowing through the believer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 15:2, while speaking of the Father's work, finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ. Jesus, as the "true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), is the singular source of life and fruitfulness for all who believe. The very possibility of bearing fruit, whether little or much, stems entirely from our union with Him. It is not our inherent ability, but His divine life flowing through us, that enables us to produce anything of spiritual value. The Father's "purging" or pruning, though seemingly a separate action, is also Christ-centered, as it refines us to bear fruit that reflects His character and advances His kingdom. This process conforms us more fully to the image of the Son, removing anything that hinders our likeness to Him. Thus, the fruit we bear is ultimately "fruit to God" ([Romans 7:4](/romans/7-4 "Romans 7:4 - Married to Christ to Bear Fruit")), a demonstration of Christ's life within us, enabling us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, "bearing fruit in every good work" ([Colossians 1:10](/colossians/1-10 "Colossians 1:10 - Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work")). Our fruitfulness, therefore, is not a means to earn salvation, but the natural, Spirit-empowered evidence of our vital, Christ-given union with the True Vine.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Matthew 15:13

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

John 15:8

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Luke 13:7

Then 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?