The Fruitless Branch and the Eternal Security of the Believer

Abstract

The quest for the identification of the fruitless branch has been an enduring theological battleground between the Calvinists and the Arminians who argue as to whether or not the removal of the fruitless branch indicates the loss of eternal salvation. Using a qualitative approach, this study sought to examine the various interpretations on the eternal security of the believer with a focus on three phrases in the passage namely; ἐν ἐμοὶ, (in me) and airō (cut off) and μείνατε ἐν ἐμοί (abide in me). Findings show that the analogy of the vine is a critique to the belief of once saved, forever saved because of the use of “in me” and the “cutting off” of the fruitless branch which cannot happen without a prior linkage to the stem of the vine. Since the fruitless branch can only represent one of the various views, it is recommended that fruitfulness should be the key to one’s walk with the Lord to avoid eternal separation. Keywords: Eternal, Salvation, Fruitless, Vine