John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love.
If you keep My commandments
The phrase "If you keep My commandments" emphasizes the conditional nature of abiding in Christ's love. The Greek word for "keep" is "τηρέω" (tēreō), which means to guard, observe, or give heed to. This implies a vigilant and intentional effort to adhere to the teachings of Jesus. In the historical context, commandments were not merely rules but a way of life that defined one's relationship with God. Jesus, as the fulfillment of the Law, calls His followers to a higher standard of love and obedience, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.

you will remain in My love
"Remain" is translated from the Greek word "μένω" (menō), which means to stay, abide, or continue. This suggests a continuous, enduring relationship with Christ. The concept of remaining in His love is not passive but an active, ongoing commitment. In the scriptural context, love is the essence of God's nature (1 John 4:8), and to remain in His love is to live in harmony with His will and purpose. This abiding love is both a privilege and a responsibility, reflecting the intimate bond between the believer and Christ.

just as I have kept My Father’s commandments
Here, Jesus sets Himself as the perfect example of obedience. The phrase "just as I have kept" underscores the model of Christ's own life. The Greek word for "kept" is the same "τηρέω" (tēreō), indicating that Jesus Himself observed and fulfilled the Father's commandments. Historically, Jesus' obedience was not merely legalistic but relational, rooted in His love for the Father. This obedience led Him to the cross, demonstrating the ultimate act of love and submission. For believers, this serves as a call to emulate Christ's faithfulness and dedication.

and remain in His love
The phrase "and remain in His love" completes the parallel between the believer's relationship with Christ and Christ's relationship with the Father. The Greek "μένω" (menō) is again used, emphasizing the continuity and depth of this divine love. In the historical and scriptural context, God's love is steadfast and unchanging, a covenantal love that is both protective and nurturing. Jesus' assurance of remaining in the Father's love highlights the security and assurance found in a life of obedience and faith. For the believer, this is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love through a committed and obedient relationship with Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, teaching them about the importance of obedience and love.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who follow Christ.

3. The Father
Refers to God the Father, whose commandments Jesus has perfectly kept, setting an example for believers.

4. The Upper Room
The setting of this discourse, where Jesus shares His final teachings with His disciples before His crucifixion.

5. The Commandments
Refers to the teachings and instructions given by Jesus, which are rooted in the love and will of God.
Teaching Points
Obedience as an Expression of Love
Keeping Jesus' commandments is a tangible way to demonstrate our love for Him. It is not merely about following rules but about a relationship rooted in love.

Following Jesus' Example
Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father, setting a model for us to follow. Our obedience should mirror His, grounded in love and devotion.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to keep Jesus' commandments, guiding us in truth and enabling us to live out His teachings.

The Assurance of Abiding in Love
By keeping His commandments, we remain in Jesus' love, experiencing a deep and abiding relationship with Him.

The Joy of Obedience
Obedience to Jesus' commandments leads to joy, as it aligns us with God's will and purpose for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus' perfect obedience to the Father help us in our own journey of faith and obedience?

2. In what ways can we practically demonstrate our love for Jesus through obedience in our daily lives?

3. How does the Holy Spirit assist us in keeping Jesus' commandments, and how can we be more receptive to His guidance?

4. What are some specific commandments of Jesus that you find challenging, and how can you seek to grow in obedience to them?

5. How does abiding in Jesus' love through obedience impact your relationships with others and your overall spiritual well-being?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 14:15
This verse emphasizes the connection between love for Jesus and obedience to His commandments, reinforcing the theme of love and obedience.

1 John 5:3
This passage highlights that God's commandments are not burdensome, aligning with the idea that keeping commandments is an expression of love.

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus summarizes the law with the commandments to love God and love others, which encapsulates His teachings.

Philippians 2:8
Describes Jesus' obedience to the Father, even to the point of death, exemplifying perfect submission and love.

Deuteronomy 6:5
The command to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, which is foundational to understanding Jesus' teachings on love and obedience.
The Condition of Abiding in Christ's LoveR. Flint, D. D.John 15:10
Abiding in LoveA. Maclaren, D. D.John 15:9-11
Christ's Love for His DisciplesD. Thomas, D. D.John 15:9-11
Continuing in Christ's LoveJ. Brown, D. D.John 15:9-11
Divine LoveG. Philips.John 15:9-11
Obedient Love Bringing Fulness of JoyT. G. Horton.John 15:9-11
The Divine Measure of LoveT. Davies, Ph. D.John 15:9-11
People
Jesus, Disciples
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abide, Commandments, Commands, Continue, Father's, Kept, Laws, Love, Obey, Obeyed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 15:10

     2036   Christ, humility
     2057   Christ, obedience
     2218   Christ, Son of God
     2425   gospel, requirements
     5037   mind, of Christ
     5769   behaviour
     8102   abiding in Christ
     8164   spirituality
     8206   Christlikeness
     8208   commitment, to God
     8241   ethics, basis of
     8296   love, nature of
     8316   orthodoxy, in NT
     8405   commands, in NT
     8454   obedience, to God

John 15:4-10

     8459   perseverance

John 15:7-11

     8289   joy, of church

John 15:9-10

     2048   Christ, love of

John 15:9-14

     8115   discipleship, nature of

John 15:10-11

     8117   discipleship, benefits

Library
The Comforter
Eversley. Sunday after Ascension Day. 1868. St John xv. 26. "When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." Some writers, especially when they are writing hymns, have fallen now-a- days into a habit of writing of the Holy Spirit of God, in a tone of which I dare not say that it is wrong or untrue; but of which I must say, that it is one-sided. And if there are two sides to a matter,
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

April 1 Morning
The fruit of the Spirit is joy.--GAL. 5:22. Joy in the Holy Ghost.--Unspeakable and full of glory. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; . . . exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.--We glory in tribulations. Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; . . . for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame.--These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be fuIl.--As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 8 Morning
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends.--JOHN 15:15. The Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.--God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.--Even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 16 Evening
The deep things of God.--I COR. 2:10. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

January 21 Morning
Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it.--JOHN 15:2. He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. We glory in tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 13 Morning
Abide in me, and I in you.--JOHN 15:4. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 3 Morning
Be strong, and work; for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.--HAG. 2:4. 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.--I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.--Strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.--The joy of the Lord is your strength. Thus said the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets.--Strengthen
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 22 Evening
Keep yourselves in the love of God.--JUDE 21. 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. 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. The fruit of the Spirit is love. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

January 28. "That My Joy Might Remain in You, and that Your Joy Might be Full" (John xv. 11).
"That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John xv. 11). There is a joy that springs spontaneously in the heart without external or even rational cause. It is an artesian fountain. It rejoices because it cannot help it. It is the glory of God; it is the heart of Christ, it is the joy divine of which He says, "These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." And your joy no man taketh from you. He who possesses this fountain
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 19. "He Purgeth it that it May Bring Forth More Fruit" (John xv. 2).
"He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit" (John xv. 2). Recently we passed a garden. The gardener had just finished his pruning, and the wounds of the knife and saw were just beginning to heal, while the warm April sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life and energy. We thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to begin next week and cut it down. Now, the gardener's business is to revive and nourish it into life. Its business is not to die, but to live.
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 26. "He Purgeth it that it May Bring Forth More Fruit" (John xv. 2).
"He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit" (John xv. 2). One day we passed a garden. The gardener had finished his pruning, and the wounds of the knife and saw were beginning to heal, while the warm April sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life and energy. We thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to begin next week and cut it down again. It would bleed to death. Now, the gardener's business is to revive and nourish into life. Its business is not to
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 13. "Abide in Me" (John xv. 4).
"Abide in Me" (John xv. 4). Christianity may mean nothing more than a religious system. Christian life may mean nothing more than an earnest and honest attempt to follow and imitate Christ. Christ life is more than these, and expresses our actual union with the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is undoubtedly in us as the life and source of all our experience and work. This conception of the highest Christian life is at once simpler and sublimer than any other. We do not teach in these pages, that the purpose
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 25. "I am the vine, Ye are the Branches" (John xv. 5).
"I am the vine, ye are the branches" (John xv. 5). How can I take Christ as my Sanctifier, or Healer? is a question that we are constantly asked. It is necessary first of all that we get into the posture of faith. This has to be done by a definite and voluntary act, and then maintained by a uniform habit. It is just the same as the planting of a tree. You must put it in the soil by a definite act, and then you must let it stay put and remain settled in the ground until the little roots have time
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 28. "Without Me Ye Can do Nothing" (John xv. 5).
"Without Me ye can do nothing" (John xv. 5). How much can I do for Christ? We are accustomed to say.--As much as I can. Have we ever thought we can do more than we can? This thought was lately suggested by the remarks of a Christian friend, who told how God had laid it upon her heart to do something for His cause which was beyond her power, and when she dared to obey Him, He gave her the assurance of His power and resources, and so marvelously met her faith that she was enabled to do more than she
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 13. "He that Abideth in Me and I in Him the Same Bringeth Forth Much Fruit for Apart from Me Ye Can do Nothing" (John xv. 5).
"He that abideth in Me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for apart from Me ye can do nothing" (John xv. 5). So familiar are the vine and the branches, it is not necessary to explain; only the branches and the vine are one. The vine does not say, I am the central trunk running up and you are the little branches; but I am the whole thing, and you are the whole thing. He counts us partakers of His nature. "Apart from Me ye can do nothing." The husband and the wife, and many more figures
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 20. "Herein is My Father Glorified" (John xv. 8).
"Herein is My Father glorified" (John xv. 8). The true way to glorify God is, for God to show His glory through us, to shine through us as empty vessels reflecting His fulness of grace and power. The sun is glorified when he has a chance to show his light through the crystal window, or reflect it from the spotless mirror or the glassy sea. There is nothing that glorifies God so much as for a weak and helpless man or woman to be able to triumph, through His strength, in places where the highest human
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

March 15. "Continue Ye in My Love" (John xv. 9).
"Continue ye in My love" (John xv. 9). Many atmospheres there are in which we may live. Some people live in an atmosphere of thought. Their faces are thoughtful, minds intellectual. They live in their ideas, their conceptions of truth, their tastes, and esthetic nature. Some people, again, live in their animal nature, in the lusts of the flesh and eye, the coarse, low atmosphere of a sensuous life, or something worse. Some, again, live in a world of duty. The predominating feature of their life is
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The True vine
'I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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 xv. 14. WHAT suggested this lovely parable of the vine and the branches is equally unimportant
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Oneness of the Branches
'This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'--JOHN xv. 12, 13. The union between Christ and His disciples has been tenderly set forth in the parable of the Vine and the branches. We now turn to the union between the disciples, which is the consequence of their common union to the Lord. The branches are parts of one whole, and necessarily bear a relation to each other. We may modify for our
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Christ's Friends
'Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Sheep among Wolves
'If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.'--JOHN xv. 18-20. These words strike a discord in the midst of the sweet
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The World's Hatred, as Christ Saw It
'But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth Me, hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated Me without
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Our Ally
'But when the Comforter Is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.'--JOHN xv. 26, 27. Our Lord has been speaking of a world hostile to His followers and to Him. He proceeds, in the words which immediately follow our text, to paint that hostility as aggravated even to the pitch of religious murder. But here He lets a beam of light
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The True Branches of the True vine
'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. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.'--JOHN xv. 5-8. No wise
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

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