John 15:1-2
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Notice the bolded phrase, He CUTS OFF every branch IN ME that bears no fruit.
How could the FATHER CUT us OFF, when we were already IN CHRIST? just because we don't bear fruit?
If this translation is true, then it will contradict many verses in the bible...like
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)
IN CHRIST...We are COMPLETE (Col. 2:9)
IN CHRIST...We are MADE RIGHTEOUS (Rom. 5:19)
IN CHRIST...We are MADE PERFECT FOREVER (Heb. 10:14)
IN CHRIST...We are MADE HOLY (Heb. 2:11)
IN CHRIST...We are ANNOINTED (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
“I am the True Vine, and My Father is the gardener.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He cuts off. (niv)
He takes away. (kjv)
The Greek is He lifts (airo) (to lift or to raise)
And every one that bears fruit, He prunes (niv)
He purges (kjv)
He cleanses (Greek)
it so that it may bring forth more fruit." (The Greek word is - kathairo – to cleanse)
NOW THIS IS MUCH BETTER TRANSLATION
John 15:1-3
“I am the True Vine, and My Father is the gardener. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He lifts up. (airo - to lift or to raise). And every one that bears fruit, He cleanses (kathairo - to cleanse) it so that it may bring forth more fruit. You are already clean (katharos - clean) because of the word I have spoken to you.”
The Father LIFTS OR RAISE US UP, not Cut Off or Take away...
I submit to you that when a vine’s branch falls on the ground, soiled and muddy, the gardener lifts it up (airo) on a wooden CROSS like structure or trellis and cleanses it by washing it with water so that it will be revived and eventually bear fruits.
(Michelle Chee- ACCF -Philippines)
