Bible Studies

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We continue this verse-by-verse study of John chapters 13-17 here in Part 6, starting with John 15:16.

(16) You did not choose Me but I chose you [[Jesus chose them, for one thing, to be apostles (cf., e.g., John 6:70; 13:18; 15:19; and Acts 1:2). ((I had a footnote: The Greek verb ("eklegomai") behind "I chose [you]" (and behind "You did [not] choose [Me]") here in verse 16 is also used in verse 19. In verse 19 the verb is used of their being chosen out of the world; all true Christians have been chosen out of the world (elected) to be His disciples/people.)) His sharing with them all things that He had heard from the Father (verse 15) and His choosing them, etc. (verse 16) were manifestations of His love for them.]], and appointed [cf. 1 Cor. 12:28] you that [The Greek behind "that" here is "hina." This will become relevant as we continue with this verse.] you would go and bear fruit [[On bearing fruit, compare John 15:2-5, 7, 8, 18-27. Under John 15:5 we discussed the fact that there are two different categories of fruit. Here in verse 16 it seems that Jesus was speaking (at least for the most part) of the fruit that His apostles (and all ministers, and to some extent all Christians) would bear through their appointed ministries.]], and that your fruit would remain [[The NIV has, "and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." Jesus chose them and appointed them to bear fruit, fruit that would remain, "fruit for eternal life" (cf. John 4:36). To the extent the apostles (including Paul) were faithful to their commission (and they were faithful, at least for the most part [I had a footnote: God made sure that the apostles would lay a solid foundation for the Christian church and leave us with the writings of the New Testament.]), they were laying the foundation for the Christian church and giving us the New Testament, and they were bearing much good spiritual/eternal fruit in the lives of those who were being converted and sanctified.

To the extent their converts went back into heresy, back into sin, etc. the fruit of their ministries would not remain (cf. Phil. 3:14-16), but it doesn't seem that Jesus included that idea here. If God's ministers are faithful and do the things required of them, they will not have to answer to God for the failure of others, but the more the fruit remains to the end the better.]], so that [I would translate "that" (or the equivalent) instead of "so that." The older (1977) edition of the NASB has "that

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