This post contains a longer email exchange between Bill Fiess and Zane Hodges concerning the meaning of “fruit” in John 15, especially its relation to abiding, answered prayer, and John 15:2.
Presented here as archived correspondence, the exchange records Hodges’s concise and exegetical replies to a series of follow-up questions about the interpretation of fruit-bearing in John 15.
From: Bill Fiess
Hi Zane,
Here is a brief question concerning John 15:
- What is the meaning of “fruit” in John 15?
My thoughts are:
- Since “abiding” produces “fruit” (vs. 4-5) and abiding = keeping Christ’s commandments (vs. 10a) it seems as if the answer is love (vs. 10). Joy is mentioned immediately after in this same connection (vs. 11). Thus this fruit is essentially the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) produced by Christ living in us.
Thanks for your time and willingness to respond to my questions.
Bill
From: Zane Hodges
Hi Bill,
I’d say fruit = answered prayer (taking vss. 7-8 with vs. 16).
Take care,
Zane
From: Bill Fiess
Zane,
I guess my question is: how would this concept relate to verses 2, 4, 5 where prayer is not mentioned?
Bill
From: Zane Hodges
Hi Bill,
Please note that in the verses you cite there is NO definition of fruit. We are not at liberty, of course, simply to arbitrarily define it–no matter how often it has been defined in a certain way by traditional exegesis.
In verse 16, the second hina clause which mentions prayer is not preceded by an “and” so that the hina is most naturally taken as an epexegetical hina (i.e., explanatory) of what precedes. (Just as a hina clause defines eternal life in John 17:3.) It seems to me this clause defines what our Lord means by fruit–a definition already implied, at least, in vss. 7-8.
Have a great weekend, Bill.
Zane
From: Bill Fiess
That’s very helpful, Zane
and I understand and agree with it. Is then the point of verses 4 and 5 this – that apart from our abiding in Christ [= obedience to His commands (vs. 10)] we have no ability to find answers to prayer.?
Thanks and have a great weekend.
Bill
From: Zane Hodges
Bill,
I think that’s pretty much the idea, but would be better said like this:
Without Him we can DO nothing (vs. 5), which means we must DEPEND on Him through prayer and. therefore, all that we DO of any significance, is an answer to our prayers.
God can use people to do things even when they don’t depend on Him through prayer–even when they don’t even know He is using their efforts!–but that kind of thing is NOT fruit. Fruit grows out of the inner life of faith and prayer.
Again, have a good weekend.
Zane
From: Bill Fiess
Zane
I have a brief final question concerning John 15:2 and fruitbearing.
- Is the phrase, “every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away [airo]” referring to divine discipline [as in 15:6]?
[I know that some expositors (like Gary Derickson and Earl Radmacher) teach that this is referring to a “lifting up” of the vine toward the sun in the early stages of growth – but, for me, it does not seem to fit the context. Even a new believer can experience answers to prayer – and often does.]
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Bill
From: Zane Hodges
Hi Bill,
Personally I think you are right and that the statement makes better sense as a parallel with verse 6.
God bless you in the week ahead.
Zane
Document type: Email Q&A
Date: Undated correspondence on John 15
Topics: John 15; fruit; abiding in Christ; answered prayer; divine discipline