📖 Biblical Definition
The seventh I-am saying of Christ in John's Gospel: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1). The metaphor casts Christ as the source of all spiritual life and fruitfulness; disciples are branches who must abide in Him to bear fruit; the Father is the gardener who prunes the fruitful and removes the unfruitful. Without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5) is the bottom line.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
TRUE VINE, n.
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A scriptural Christ-title; in John 15, Christ as the true source of life for His disciples.
📖 Key Scripture
John 15:1 — "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
John 15:4 — "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
John 15:5 — "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Isaiah 5:1 — "My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often substitutes activity for abiding; the branch cannot bear fruit unconnected.
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John 15 is one of the most under-applied chapters in the Gospels. Christ's metaphor is precise. He is the vine; disciples are branches; the Father prunes. The branch's job is not to produce fruit by effort; the branch's job is to abide. Fruit follows abiding. Cut a branch from the vine and it withers immediately.
Modern Christianity often substitutes activity for abiding. We schedule, plan, build, attend, post, and produce — but if abiding in Christ is missing, the branch is dying even as it appears busy. Without me ye can do nothing is the most leveling sentence in the New Testament. Abide. Pray. Read. Trust. The fruit will come on schedule.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek/Hebrew roots below.
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Usage
"Modern Christianity substitutes activity for abiding; the branch cannot bear fruit unconnected."
"Without Me ye can do nothing — the most leveling sentence in the NT."
"Abide. Pray. Read. Trust. The fruit will come on schedule."