Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had faith in him, If you keep my word, then you are truly my disciples;
Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed;
Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
Jesus therefore said to those Jews which had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
If ye continue in my word - Or, in this doctrine of mine. It is not enough to receive God's truth - we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we receive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine disciples of Christ.
If ye continue in my word - If you continue to obey my commandments and to receive my doctrines.
Then are ye ... - This is the true test of Christian character. John 14:21; "he that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." See John 2:4; John 3:24; 2 John 1:6. In this place Jesus cautions them against too much confidence from their present feelings. They were just converted - converted by a single sermon. They had had no time to test their faith. Jesus assures them that if their faith should abide the test, if it should produce obedience to his commandments and a truly life, it would be proof that their faith was genuine, for the tree is known by its fruit. So we may say to all new converts, Do not repress your love or your joy, but do not be too confident. Your faith has not yet been tried, and if it does not produce a holy life it is vain, James 2:17-26.