Without Me You Can Do Nothing: What Does John 15:15 Mean?

John 15:15 reads, “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.” King James Version (KJV)

TranslationJohn 15:15
ESVNo longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
NASB“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
NIVI no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
NLTI no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

Also, see what does Abraham Believed God mean in the Bible?

Without Me You Can Do Nothing: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

15:9-17 Those whom God loves as a Father, may despise the hatred of all the world. As the Father loved Christ, who was most worthy, so he loved his disciples, who were unworthy.

All that love the Saviour should continue in their love to him, and take all occasions to show it. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ’s love is a continual feast.

They are to show their love to him by keeping his commandments. If the same power that first shed abroad the love of Christ’s in our hearts, did not keep us in that love, we should not long abide in it.

Christ’s love to us should direct us to love each other. He speaks as about to give many things in charge, yet names this only; it includes many duties.

Also, see what does The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower mean in the Bible?

John 15:15 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. Henceforth I call you not servants—that is, in the sense explained in the next words; for servants He still calls them (Joh 15:20), and they delight to call themselves so, in the sense of being “under law to Christ” (1Co 9:20).

the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth—knows nothing of his master’s plans and reasons, but simply receives and executes his orders.

but … friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you—admitted you to free, unrestrained fellowship, keeping back nothing from you which I have received to communicate. (Compare Ge 18:17; Ps 25:14; Isa 50:4).

Also, see what does The Race Is Not To The Swift mean in the Bible?

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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