Consider Him- for without him...

We can do Nothing

I am the vine, ye the branches: He that abide in me and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.( John 15:5)

We must be fruitful

The duty that is by this similitude, which is to bring fruit, and in order to do this, to abide in Christ.

From a vine we look for grapes, and for a Christian we look for Christianity; this is the fruit : 

A Christian temper and disposition; a Christian life and conversation; Christian devotions and Christians designs.

We must honour God,and do good, and exemplify the purity and power of the religion we profess; and this is bearing fruit.the disciples here must be fruitful and as Christians, in all fruits of righteousness. and as apostles, in diffusing the savour of the knowledge of Christ.

The unfruitful

There are many who pass for branches in Christ who yet do not bear fruit. Were they really united to Christ by faith, they would bear the fruit. But being only tied to Him by the outward profession, though they seem to be branches, they will soon be seen to be dry ones.

Unfruitful professors and unfaithful professors and no more.

It might be read, " every branch that beareth not fruit in me",and it comes much to one for those that do not bear fruit in Christ and His Spirit and grace are as if they bore no fruit at all.

It is threatened that they shall be taken away in justice to them and in kindness to the rest of the branches. From him that has not real union with Christ, and fruit produced thereby shall be taken away, even that which seemed to have (Luke 8:18)

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This is an extract of Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible, you can download it for free here*. 

*Note that it is necessary to download the Bible software first:

 

In Christ

J Roque