John 15:8

8 In this thing my Father is clarified, that ye bring forth full much fruit, and that ye be made my disciples.

John 15:8 Meaning and Commentary

John 15:8

Herein is my Father glorified
This does not so much refer to what goes before, concerning the disciples abiding in Christ, and he and his words abiding in them, and doing for them whatever they ask, though by all this God is glorified; as to what follows, the fruitfulness of the disciples:

that ye bear much fruit;
of doctrine, grace, and good works, which show them to be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and the work of his hands; wherein the glory of his power, grace, and mercy, is greatly displayed. All the fruits of righteousness, with which they were filled by Christ, were by him to the praise and glory of God; yea, by the fruitfulness of grace, and of life and conversation, by the lively exercise of grace, and conscientious discharge of duty, as well by light of doctrine, and usefulness in the ministration of the Gospel, the disciples and servants of Christ not only glorify God themselves, but are the means of others glorifying him. It follows,

so shall ye be my disciples;
or "disciples to me"; to my honour and glory also, as well as to my Father's; not that their fruitfulness made them the disciples of Christ, but made them appear to be so, or made them honourable ones. Just as good fruit does not make the tree good; the tree is first good, and therefore it brings forth good fruit; but shows it to be good: as by continuing in his word, abiding by his Gospel they appeared to be "disciples indeed", ( John 8:31 ) , really and truly such; and as by loving one another, so by other fruits of righteousness, other men, all men know that they are the disciples of Christ.

John 15:8 In-Context

6 If any man dwelleth not in me, he shall be cast out as a branch, and shall wax dry; and they shall gather him, and they shall cast him into the fire, and he shall burn [and he burneth].
7 If ye dwell in me, and my words dwell in you, whatever thing ye will [whatever thing ye shall desire], ye shall ask, and it shall be done to you.
8 In this thing my Father is clarified, that ye bring forth full much fruit, and that ye be made my disciples.
9 As my Father loved me, I have loved you; dwell ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall dwell in my love; as I have kept the commandments of my Father, and dwell in his love.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.