Methods and Tools of Lexical Analysis

Methods and Tools of Lexical Analysis

Introduction

The interpretation of John 15:1-6 hinges in part on one's understanding of v 6.[1] The problem of the burning of detached branches and one's conclusion concerning their destiny directly influences the meaning of other key terms in the passage. Thus that issue must be addressed before discussing the other related arguments.

John 15:2-3 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. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

ai?? (aireo) =”to lift up,” “to cut-off”

Fruitless Branches Refer to Nonbelievers

In this view the unfruitful branches that are “removed” in v 2 are synonymous with the nonabiding branches in v 6. Laney suggests that the “natural flow” of the context means Jesus was referring to the same people. MacArthur looks to the context and key players, including Judas, to argue for false believers being represented by “barren branches” that are judged.[2]

Every gardener understands this principle. Fruitless branches are detrimental to the vine. They take sap away from the fruitbearing branches. Wasted sap means less fruit. Even after careful pruning these branches will remain barren. There is no way to make them bear fruit.[3]

Airei Means “Remove,” not “Lift”

Laney defends his interpretation of airei as “remove” rather than “lift up” by noting that 13 of its 23 uses in John's Gospel have the sense of “take away” or “remove” while only eight times it means “to take up” or “to lift up.”[4] Thus the majority of uses points to a judgmental sense. Noting that the basic sense of the word is “removal,” Smith says, “Since the context must determine what kind of removal is in view, it is certainly not the best method of exegesis to interpret the word in a manner that is contradictory to the context…In the context, verse 6 describes the taking away in no uncertain terms as a taking away to judgment.” MacArthur presents a “viticultural” argument.

Vinedressers had two chief means of maximizing the fruit that grew on the vine. One was to cut off the barren limbs. The other was to prune new shoots from the fruit-bearing branches. This all insured that the vine would produce more fruit, not just leafy growth. Verse 2 describes both chores:…Barren branches grow more rapidly, and new ones sprout quickly. They must be carefully and regularly pruned. It is the only way to insure maximum quantities of fruit.

Lexical Analysis

I suspect that there is nothing harder to bring into English than a play on words. When that play on words branches (pun intended) into metaphors (and the question of how hard to push the imagery), and into the relationship between justification and sanctification, it moves from "hard" to "almost impossible." Then add in John's use of double meanings and nuances, and many translators go screaming into the night.

As a follow-up on a previous post, in which I was asked about ...