John 15:7

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall come to pass to you.

John 15:7 Meaning and Commentary

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you
Abiding in Christ is here explained by his words or doctrines abiding in his disciples; by which are meant his Gospel, and the truths of it. This abides when it comes in power, and becomes the engrafted word; and may be said to do so, when such, in whose hearts it has a place, and has taken deep root, continue to have a relish and savour of it, a true and hearty affection for it, esteeming it above their necessary food; when they hold fast the profession of it, stand fast in it, steadfastly abide by it, and constantly attend on it; all which is a considerable evidence that they do, yea, there is a promise that they "shall continue in the Son and in the Father", ( 1 John 2:24 ) ; The blessing and privilege that such shall enjoy is,

ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you;
or, as some copies read it, "it shall be given you": but this must be understood not of temporal things, as riches, honours, profits, pleasures, or whatever even the carnal mind of a believer himself may sometimes desire; but of things spiritual, and with such limitations and restrictions as these; whatever is according to the will of God, for the Spirit of God himself asks for no other for the saints; whatever is for the glory of God, and for their own spiritual profit and edification; and whatever is agreeably to the words and doctrines of Christ, which abide in them. Every thing of this kind they ask in faith, and with a submission to the divine will, they may expect to receive.

John 15:7 In-Context

5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches. He that abides in me and I in him, *he* bears much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.

6 Unless any one abide in me he is cast out as the branch, and is dried up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall come to pass to you.

8 In this is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and ye shall become disciples of mine.

9 As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you: abide in my love.

Footnotes

• [a]. Aiteo: see Note a, ch. 14.16.