Abstract
The quest for the identification of the fruitless branch has been an enduring theological battleground between the Calvinists and the Arminians who argue as to whether or not the removal of the fruitless branch indicates the loss of eternal salvation. Using a qualitative approach, this study sought to examine the various interpretations on the eternal security of the believer with a focus on three phrases in the passage namely; ἐν ἐμοὶ, (in me) and airō (cut off) and μείνατε ἐν ἐμοί (abide in me). Findings show that the analogy of the vine is a critique to the belief of once saved, forever saved because of the use of “in me” and the “cutting off” of the fruitless branch which cannot happen without a prior linkage to the stem of the vine. Since the fruitless branch can only represent one of the various views, it is recommended that fruitfulness should be the key to one’s walk with the Lord to avoid eternal separation. Keywords: Eternal, Salvation, Fruitless, Vine
Highlights
The analogy of the vine in John 15:1-6 has aroused exegetical problems which have resulted in divergent views in the interpretation of the text in regards to the eternal security of the believer.1 Jesus in his discourse of the vine did not identify the branches with a particular group of his followers but two kinds of branches; the fruitful and the fruitless branches
Findings show that the analogy of the vine is a critique to the belief of once saved, forever saved because of the use of “in me” and the “cutting off” of the fruitless branch which cannot happen without a prior linkage to the stem of the vine
Questions raised in this paper are; is the New Testament vine a total or partial replacement of the Old Testament vine which has become corrupted?4 What does Jesus mean by the phrase “in me,” and again does the “cut off” refer to a believer or unbeliever in Christ? If the fruitless branch represents unbelievers, how can they be in the vine who is the Christ?
Summary
The analogy of the vine in John 15:1-6 has aroused exegetical problems which have resulted in divergent views in the interpretation of the text in regards to the eternal security of the believer. Jesus in his discourse of the vine did not identify the branches with a particular group of his followers but two kinds of branches; the fruitful and the fruitless branches. The analogy of the vine in John 15:1-6 has aroused exegetical problems which have resulted in divergent views in the interpretation of the text in regards to the eternal security of the believer.. The analogy of the vine in John 15:1-6 has aroused exegetical problems which have resulted in divergent views in the interpretation of the text in regards to the eternal security of the believer.1 Jesus in his discourse of the vine did not identify the branches with a particular group of his followers but two kinds of branches; the fruitful and the fruitless branches. Questions raised in this paper are; is the New Testament vine a total or partial replacement of the Old Testament vine which has become corrupted?4 What does Jesus mean by the phrase “in me,” (ἐν ἐμοὶ) and again does the “cut off” (airō) refer to a believer or unbeliever in Christ? Laney has observed that the phrases ἐν ἐμοὶ, translated as “in me” and airō meaning “cut off” appear to be a problem for this interpretation. Questions raised in this paper are; is the New Testament vine a total or partial replacement of the Old Testament vine which has become corrupted?4 What does Jesus mean by the phrase “in me,” (ἐν ἐμοὶ) and again does the “cut off” (airō) refer to a believer or unbeliever in Christ? If the fruitless branch represents unbelievers, how can they be in the vine who is the Christ?
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