John 15:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Every branch in me, &c.— "Though by the outward profession of my religion you become members of the visible church of God, you must never forget, that this, of itself, is not sufficient to constitute you true members of the spiritual church of God, of the mystical body of Christ: you must be accepted through the Beloved; and you must answer the end of your high dispensation, by bringing forth the fruit of holiness; otherwise my Father will cut you off, depriving you of all the advantages which true disciples reap from the sincere profession, experience, and practice of the Christian religion." Our Lord told them further, that, as the husbandman prunes the bearing branches of his vines; so God, among other methods, suffers the lovers of Christ and holiness, to be spoiled of the conveniences of this life, or to be tried in some other way, for no other reason but that their graces may grow the stronger, and become the more fruitful. Every branch that beareth fruit, he pruneth it, (so the word should be rendered,) cuts off from it every thing superfluous, that it may bring forth more fruit. "In the course of his providence, my Father sends a variety of afflictions upon every one who sincerely makes profession of my religion, experiences its power, and diligently endeavours to obey its precepts; spoiling him of those temporal possessions or enjoyments which engage his affections, and render him unfruitful." This passage suggests a very sublime and importantthought; namely, that one of the nobler rewards which God can bestow on former acts of obedience, is to make the soul yet more holy, and fit for further and more eminent service; though it should be by such painful afflictions as resemble the pruning of a vine. Jesus said these things to reconcilehis disciples to the persecutions which were coming on them. And doubtless he had also in his view the other methods which God makes use of, for purifying his people; for, in the following verse, he represents his disciples, as cleansed or pruned, through the word that he had spoken unto them.