John 15:7

KJV

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1437} ye abide {G3306} in {G1722} me {G1698}, and {G2532} my {G3450} words {G4487} abide {G3306} in {G1722} you {G5213}, ye shall ask {G154} what {G3739}{G1437} ye will {G2309}, and {G2532} it shall be done {G1096} unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you.

Berean Standard Bible

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

American Standard Version

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 15:7 presents a profound promise from Jesus Christ, delivered during His Farewell Discourse, outlining the essential conditions for effective prayer and a fruitful spiritual life. It underscores the vital importance of a deep, reciprocal, and continuous relationship with Him, where His presence and teachings are not merely acknowledged but fully integrated into the believer's life, leading to desires and petitions that align with divine will and are therefore answered.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus's extended Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), specifically within the allegory of the True Vine (John 15:1-17). Following the Last Supper and Judas's departure, Jesus prepares His disciples for His imminent physical absence. He uses the metaphor of a vine, the Father as the vinedresser, and the disciples as branches to emphasize the absolute necessity of remaining intimately connected to Him. The preceding verses establish that fruitfulness is contingent upon this abiding, and any branch that does not abide will be cut off. Verse 7 then builds upon this foundation, linking abiding directly to answered prayer, illustrating a practical benefit and outcome of this vital union. The subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the nature of this abiding, linking it to love, obedience, and joy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the vine and branches would have been deeply familiar to Jesus's Jewish audience. The vine, particularly the grapevine, was a prominent symbol in the Old Testament, often representing Israel (e.g., [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8-16 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as a Vine"), [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")). However, Israel often failed to produce good fruit. Jesus's declaration, "I am the true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), therefore, presents a radical redefinition, asserting Himself as the true source of life and spiritual fruitfulness, in contrast to a nation that had often fallen short. The setting is likely the upper room or en route to Gethsemane, a time of intense intimacy and final instruction before His passion. The disciples, soon to face immense challenges and the perceived loss of their Master, needed clear guidance on how to continue their relationship with Him and effectively carry out their mission.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in John 15, to which verse 7 significantly contributes, is **Abiding in Christ**. This concept of `μένω` (menō) signifies a deep, continuous, and vital union, not merely a temporary connection. It implies mutual indwelling, where Christ lives in the believer and the believer in Christ. This abiding relationship is presented as the prerequisite for **Fruitfulness**, which in the Johannine context refers to bearing spiritual fruit like love, obedience, and lives that glorify God, rather than merely numerical growth. Furthermore, the passage highlights the theme of **Answered Prayer**, positing that prayer is not an isolated act but an outflow of a life deeply rooted in Christ and saturated with His words. This promise of answered prayer is intrinsically linked to **Obedience** and **Love**, as seen in [John 15:10](/john/15-10 "John 15:10 - Abiding in Love through Obedience"), where abiding in His love is connected to keeping His commandments. The passage also emphasizes the **Glory of God** as the ultimate purpose of this fruitfulness ([John 15:8](/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - Glorifying the Father through Fruitfulness")), reinforcing that the promise of answered prayer is not for selfish gain but for God's purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **If (Greek, _eán'_):** This conditional particle, derived from *ei* ("if") and *an* (a particle denoting indefiniteness), introduces a condition that is assumed to be real or likely, rather than merely hypothetical. It sets up a premise upon which the subsequent promise hinges, emphasizing that the outcome ("it shall be done unto you") is directly dependent on the fulfillment of the preceding conditions ("If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you"). This highlights the reciprocal and conditional nature of the promise.
* **abide (Greek, _ménō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)." In this context, it signifies a continuous, intimate, and settled dwelling, not a fleeting visit. It implies a deep, ongoing union and communion with Christ, where one remains steadfastly in Him, drawing life and sustenance. This "abiding" is active and intentional, involving a constant reliance and remaining within the sphere of Christ's influence and presence.
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This verb means "to ask (in general case), beg, call for, crave, desire, require." While it denotes a request, its placement within the context of "abiding in me, and my words abiding in you" fundamentally shapes the nature of what is asked. It implies that the desires of the one asking have been transformed and aligned with the will of Christ through the indwelling of His words, ensuring that the requests are not selfish but in harmony with God's purposes.
* **it shall be done (Greek, _gínomai'_):** A verb meaning "to cause to be, to become, come into being." Here, in the passive voice, it indicates that the requested thing will come into existence or be brought to pass. This is a powerful promise of divine action and fulfillment, assuring the disciples that their prayers, when aligned with Christ through abiding, will indeed result in tangible outcomes, demonstrating God's responsiveness to a heart in union with Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye abide in me":** This clause sets the foundational condition for the promise. "Abiding in me" signifies a continuous, intimate, and dependent relationship with Jesus Christ. It means remaining steadfastly united to Him, drawing spiritual life and sustenance from Him, much like a branch remains connected to the vine. This is not a passive state but an active, conscious choice to dwell in His presence, obey His teachings, and maintain communion with Him. It implies a life lived in constant reliance on His power and guidance.
* **"and my words abide in you":** This second, equally crucial condition specifies the nature of the abiding. It's not just an emotional connection but an intellectual and spiritual assimilation of Christ's teachings. "My words" refers to all that Jesus taught, commanded, and revealed about God's will and character. For these words to "abide in you" means they must dwell deeply within one's heart and mind, shaping thoughts, desires, motives, and actions. This internal saturation by divine truth transforms the believer's will, bringing it into alignment with God's will.
* **"ye shall ask what ye will":** This clause presents the incredible privilege granted to those who fulfill the conditions. "What ye will" (G2309, *thélō*) implies a desire or choice stemming from an active subjective impulse. However, because the previous conditions ensure that the believer's will has been conformed to Christ's, this "will" is no longer self-centered but God-centered. It indicates that the desires of the abiding believer will naturally align with the desires of Christ, making their petitions righteous and purposeful.
* **"and it shall be done unto you":** This is the glorious promise, the outcome of the fulfilled conditions. "It shall be done" (G1096, *gínomai*) signifies that the request will come into being, it will be brought to pass. This is not a blank check for selfish desires, but a guarantee that prayers born out of a deep, Christ-saturated relationship, where one's will is in harmony with His, will be answered and fulfilled by God. It underscores the power and efficacy of prayer when it flows from a life of true communion with the Savior.

#### Literary Devices
John 15:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound truth. The entire chapter is built upon a central **Metaphor** of the "True Vine" and its branches, with Jesus as the vine, the Father as the vinedresser, and the disciples as the branches. This sustained metaphor vividly illustrates the organic, life-giving union between Christ and His followers, making the abstract concept of spiritual connection tangible and relatable. Within this, the phrase "abide in me, and my words abide in you" uses **Repetition** of the verb "abide" (Greek, *ménō*) to emphasize the mutual, continuous, and essential nature of this indwelling relationship. The structure of the verse itself forms a **Conditional Statement** ("If... then..."), clearly delineating the cause-and-effect relationship between abiding and answered prayer. This logical structure highlights the divine principle at play: spiritual outcomes are contingent upon spiritual prerequisites. Furthermore, the promise "ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" serves as a powerful **Hyperbole** if taken out of context, but within the framework of abiding, it becomes a profound statement of divine assurance, emphasizing the boundless possibilities available to those whose wills are aligned with God's.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 15:7 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the efficacy of prayer within the context of a transformative relationship with Christ. It reveals that prayer is not merely a transactional act of petition but an overflow of a life deeply integrated with the divine. The promise of answered prayer is not an open invitation for self-serving requests, but rather a profound assurance that when a believer's desires are shaped and purified by Christ's indwelling presence and His abiding word, their petitions will naturally align with God's will. This alignment ensures that what is asked for is precisely what God desires to grant, demonstrating a seamless synergy between human longing and divine purpose. The verse thus elevates prayer from a mere spiritual discipline to a powerful expression of intimate communion and co-laboring with God.

* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer According to God's Will")
* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in You to Will and to Act")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 15:7 offers a profound blueprint for a vibrant and effective spiritual life, challenging believers to move beyond superficial engagement with Christ to a deep, transformative intimacy. The core invitation is to "abide," which demands intentionality and commitment. It's a call to cultivate a continuous, conscious awareness of Christ's presence, allowing His Spirit to permeate every aspect of our being. This abiding is reciprocated by His words abiding in us, underscoring the indispensable role of Scripture. To have Christ's words dwell richly within us means more than intellectual assent; it means meditating on them, memorizing them, and allowing them to reshape our desires, priorities, and worldview. When our wills are thus conformed to His through this mutual indwelling, our prayers become powerful instruments for God's kingdom, born not of selfish ambition but of divine alignment. This verse encourages us to pray with confidence, knowing that a life rooted in Christ and saturated with His truth will yield prayers that God delights to answer, bringing glory to His name and advancing His purposes in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I deepen my "abiding" in Christ daily, beyond just formal prayer times?**
* **How consistently do I allow Christ's "words" to truly "abide" in me, shaping my thoughts and desires, rather than just reading them?**
* **When I pray, do my requests primarily reflect my own will, or are they increasingly aligned with what I perceive to be God's will, as revealed in His Word?**
* **What specific areas of my life need more intentional surrender to Christ's indwelling presence and the transforming power of His words?**

### FAQ
**Does "ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" mean God will grant any desire I have, even selfish ones?**

Answer: No, this promise is not a blank check for selfish desires. The key to understanding this verse lies in its preceding conditions: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you." When a believer truly abides in Christ, and His words (His teachings, commands, and character) deeply dwell within them, their desires become transformed and aligned with God's will. The "what ye will" then refers to a will that has been sanctified and conformed to Christ's own purposes. Therefore, prayers made from such a heart are inherently in line with God's perfect plan, and He delights to answer them. This concept is echoed in [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer According to God's Will"), which states that "if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 15:7, while a direct promise to the disciples, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the very person and work of Jesus Himself. He is the quintessential example of one who perfectly "abided" in the Father and in whom the Father's "words" perfectly "abided." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated a will perfectly aligned with the Father's, always seeking to do His will ([John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). His prayers, exemplified in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), were always submitted to the Father's will, even when intensely personal. As the "True Vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), Jesus is the source of the life and truth that enables believers to fulfill the conditions of this verse. Our ability to abide in Him and for His words to abide in us is a direct result of His atoning work, which reconciled us to God, and the sending of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in this intimate union ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the promise of answered prayer in John 15:7 is not merely a formula but a gracious invitation to participate in the very life and purpose of Christ, whose perfect obedience and communion with the Father make our own abiding and effective prayer possible.

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

Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

1 John 5:14

¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

John 14:13

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

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.

Matthew 7:7

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

John 16:23

¶ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.