John 15:8

8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 This is how my Father shows who he is - when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are 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 you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Matthew 9:8; Matthew 5:16
  • 2. John 8:31
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.