John 15:4

Abide in me (meinate en emoi). Constative aorist active imperative of menw. The only way to continue "clean" (pruned) and to bear fruit is to maintain vital spiritual connexion with Christ (the vine). Judas is gone and Satan will sift the rest of them like wheat ( Luke 22:31 ). Blind complacency is a peril to the preacher. Of itself (ap eautou). As source (from itself) and apart from the vine (cf. Luke 17:17 ). Except it abide (ean mh menh). Condition of third class with ean, negative mh, and present active (keep on abiding) subjunctive of menw. Same condition and tense in the application, "except ye abide in me."