Joh 15:5, Eph 5:9 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 5. I am the vine , Without me ye can do nothing . The expression "without me" denotes the same as separate from me . As the branches, if separated from the parent stock, could produce no fruit, but would immediately wither and die, so Christians, if separate from Christ, could do nothing. The expression is one, therefore, strongly implying dependence. The Son of God was the original source of life, . He also, by his work as Mediator, gives life to the world ( ), and it is by the same grace and agency that it is continued in the Christian. We see hence, 1st. That to him is due all the praise for all the good works the Christian performs. 2nd. That they will perform good works just in proportion as they feel their dependence on him and look to him. And 3rd. That the reason why others fail of being holy is because they are unwilling to look to him, and seek grace and strength from him who alone is able to give it. (1) "without me", or "severed from me"

John 15:5

Verse 5. I am the vine, Jn 15:1

Without me ye can do nothing. The expression "without me" denotes the same as separate from me. As the branches, if separated from the parent stock, could produce no fruit, but would immediately wither and die, so Christians, if separate from Christ, could do nothing. The expression is one, therefore, strongly implying dependence. The Son of God was the original source of life, Jn 1:4. He also, by his work as Mediator, gives life to the world (Jn 6:33), and it is by the same grace and agency that it is continued in the Christian. We see hence,

1st. That to him is due all the praise for all the good works the Christian performs.

2nd. That they will perform good works just in proportion as they feel their dependence on him and look to him. And

3rd. That the reason why others fail of being holy is because they are unwilling to look to him, and seek grace and strength from him who alone is able to give it.

(1) "without me", or "severed from me"

Ephesians 5:9

Verse 9. For the fruit of the Spirit. That is, since the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, produces goodness, righteousness, and truth, see that you exhibit these in your lives, and thus show that you are the children of light. On the fruits of the Spirit, Gall 5:22,23.

Is in all goodness. Is seen in producing all kinds of goodness. He who is not good is not a Christian.

(g) "of the Spirit" Gall 5:22