“Notes on John 8:31-51”

By: Gen. Jim – 2/16/25

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed” (v.31). Note the word “if,” meaning (in Greek “ean/έάν,” a conditional particle), “in case that, provided, etc.” If is often used in connection with other particles to denote “indefiniteness” or “uncertainty.”

John 8:31 uses “ean.” This Greek word is used 11 times in chapter 8 alone. In fact, it is used dozens of times in the Gospel of John as well as the other Gospels and Epistles.

As stated in other articles on the “if”/ “then” clause, John Calvin (the “once saved always saved” guy) commented on John 8:31 (see my article called “Jesus’ ‘If’ Teachings,” at aggressivechristians.com). If one checks into Calvin’s writings (his commentaries on various “if” – texts), he is vague and inconsistent. I think he wanted to believe what the Bible states but, his personal (humanist) opinion overshadowed the Truth of what the Bible CLEARLY states: a believer CAN lose his/her salvation!

Jesus’ words, “If you abide in My Word, (“then” implied) you are My disciples indeed,” (NKJV); the Amplified Bible reads: “… If you abide in My Word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples.” The NIV reads: “If you hold (Greek – “Meno” = “to stay, remain, live, dwell, abide”) to My teachings, you are really My disciples.” The NIV adds, “Then you will know the truth…” Reverse this and see what it means.

Abide

To “abide” means “continue:” the KJV has “continue” and the NKJV has “abide.” The Greek word for “continue” is “meno” (a prim verb); “to stay in a given place, state, relation, abide, continue, dwell, endure, remain, stand, tarry etc.” All these words relate to what the believer has to do “… if we continue,” we will remain saved. If you research the words “continue” and “continuance,” there are 10 Greek words to consider:

John 8:31 uses #3, meno/“μένω” (see “abide,” where we find (also abode) 12 Greek words:

1 – meno (our target Greek word). The R.V. usually translates it by “abide,” but “continue” in 1 Timothy 2:15; in the following the R.V. substitutes to abide for the A.V., to continue, John 2:12; 8:31; 15:9; 2 Timothy 3:14; Hebrews 7:24; 13:14; 1 John 2:24 (see continue, dwell, endure, remain, stand, and tarry).

V.31 – Greek

In verse 30 the words “έπίστευσαν είς αύτον” means “believed in Him.” In v.31 the literal translation is “who had (past tense) believed Him” (τούς πεπιστευκότας αύτώ). [Note: If we observe this distinction in meaning, the previous paragraph ends with the report that many of the Lord’s hearers put their faith in Him. The next paragraph refers to a section who had accepted His words, but had not made the full surrender of faith. At least some scholars tell us. Or, those who did believe/accept Him as Lord/Savior were shaken in their faith. “Continue in My Word” (see 15:6,7): “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, then my words abide in you…” To get the picture of what Jesus was saying read v.1-5. The vine, the branches, and the vine-dresser. V.4-11 = the allergory of the vine and the branches is the most complete expression (word picture) of the mystical union between Christ and the Christian in the Gospel. We are called to ABIDE/CONTINUE in Jesus Christ. John’s “If a man ABIDE NOT” tells us what follows: “He is CAST… into the FIRE… and BURNED” (v.6).

We may profess to be in Him but not possess Him. What I read in 15:1-3 describes the action of the Father as the vine-dresser. He REMOVES the unfruitful branches, and prunes (literally “cleanses”) the ones to make them more fruitful. Both are IN the vine – one is unfruitful, the other is fruitful. One loses his/her “abode” in Christ.

“If” a believer does not continue/abide in Christ, what does the Bible say? A convert passes from death to life, settles down in the kingdom of life, love, and light. They choose not to go forward (in perfection, i.e. maturity), hence stop fruit bearing. Unlike Paul who wrote, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 3:14, NKJV). The KJV reads, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God…” What “high calling?” I don’t think he was speaking of salvation, for he was already a Christian – born again, Spirit filled. The HC is the divine summons to finish the course of the Christian life, as described by him in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight (e.g. 1 Timothy 6:12), I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” The prize? The prize Paul wrote of in Philemon 3:14 was “the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8). If one does not finish their course, what do you think happens to them? What happens to those who do not bear fruit to those who become castaways? To those who become apostates?

For those of you who believe you can slide on in with all your sins are mistaken. “Easy Believeism” is not Biblical. Paul uses the Greek word “dioko” (press/“διώκω,” “to pursue (used as a metaphor from the footrace (Philemon 3:12,14), of speeding on earnestly, R.V. “I press on.” Paul made it plain that he had not already attained “perfection” (3:12), i.e. “Christian maturity” … but he chased or followed after it, “… if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Christ apprehends every Christian believer for the sole purpose of fruitfulness, i.e. Christian maturity (see Ephesians 4:12,13). Paul was always “reaching forth unto those things which are before” (v.13). The “prize” that Paul wrote about was not salvation – he already had that – but full salvation, i.e. perfection.

We Christians must realize that we are not ethically/spiritually “perfect,” but we tirelessly PRESS ONWARD and UPWARD. Some (wrongly) believe they at salvation are sinless. True, if sins confessed/sins forgiven, in that sense, but we have to WORK OUT OUR SALVATION, as Paul also wrote about in Philemon 2:12. This does not mean we WORK for salvation, but, as the Greek phrase “work out” denotes the expression, manifestation, or actualization of something one already possesses. We are told to “work out” the salvation God has already wrought in us (v.13), carrying it to its full/complete logical conclusion. V.13 tells us that it is God working in us (“if” we allow Him!). He gives us the “will” and the “do.” But what if one does not permit this? They don’t want to do His will but their own will?

Back to John 8:31

It is not enough to receive God and His truth – we MUST retain and walk/abide/continue in it. The NIV Zondervan Study Bible reads: “… If you hold to My teachings, you are really My disciples…” “Hold” translates the same Greek word as “remain” in (see 15:4-7, 9-10). A genuine believer perseveres in Jesus’ teachings by obeying it and seeking to understand it better, (see 2 John 9; Hebrews 3:14; James 2:14-26). Persevering has two results:

1 – It establishes genuine faith (“you are really My disciples”). It separates spurious faith from true faith, fickle/false disciples from dedicated, consecrated, separated disciples (see v.30 = the ones who believed in Him, i.e. professed faith but as in 2:23-25; 4:45; 5:35; 6:2,26,60,64; 7:3-5, they are spurious believers they are slaves to sin (v.34), indifferent to Jesus’ word (v.37), children of the devil (v.44), liars (v.55), and guilty of mob tactics, including attempting to MURDER the very One in whom they professed to believe (v.5).

There are those today within the church that are of the very same character. Some “Big Names” that murder the TRUTH by denying its true meaning. I know several “BIG” pastors who have said, “I don’t care what the Bible says…!” They are very well-known to all. Do you think they have not gone in the way of apostasy? Meaning they have forsaken the TRUE WAY! Apostates are growing like weeds – why did Jesus use the phrase, “If you hold to My teachings,” meaning, on CONDITION that; in case that; supposing that = a CONDITION or QUALIFICATION…”

Salvation and Perfection are conditional. Take note of how many times the word “if” is used in John 15; how many times the word “abide” is used: “if” = 10; “abide” = 10 and the word “remain” is used 1 time, (NKJV). Chapter 14 we find the “if” word used in v.3,7,14,15,23,28. In chapter 1 the word “if” is used in v.8,14,17 (twice), 19,32,35. Chapter 12 “if” is used in v.24,26 (twice), 32,47. All these texts were spoken by Jesus. Do you suppose He knew what the Greek word “if” meant?

So…

The words continue, remain, and abide, mean basically the same: meno, diameno, apoleipo, perileipo, perisseuo, all refer to “remain”/ “meno.” Not all deal with eternal salvation though.

“If” clause = the antecedent

“Then” clause = the consequent.

Please note “Whosoever is CONTINUAL believing has eternal life” (see John 3:15; 5:24; 6:35; 11:25 et al.). Continual/continually. There are 3 Greek words describing/defining the 2 above words:

1) Eis telos (είςτέλος), lit., “unto the end,” signifies “continual” (see Luke 18:5; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; John 13:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:16: “unto the end” (see 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 3:6,14; Hebrews 6:11; Revelations 2:26;

2) diapantos (διάπαντός) is used of a period throughout or during which anything is done; it is said of the disciples “continuance” in the Temple after the Ascension of Christ (Luke 24:53); of the regular entrance of the priests into the first tabernacle (Hebrews 9:6, R.V. (A.V. = “always”); of the constant sacrifice of praise enjoyed upon early believers (Hebrews 13:15). (See other texts, e.g. Matthew 18:10; Mark 5:5; Acts 10:2; 24:16; Romans 11:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “at all times.”

With this said, do you think believers should only “abide in Christ”/ “remain in Christ”/ “continue in Christ” when one feels like it?

There is one more Greek word for “continue,” eis to dienekes, lit., unto the carried – through (dia, through, enenka, to carry), i.e. unto (the) “unbroken continuance” is used of the “continuous.”

Priesthood of Christ Jesus (see Hebrews 7:3), and of the “continual” offering of sacrifices under the Law (Hebrews 10:1). It is translated “forever,” in Hebrews 10:12, of the “everlasting” session of Christ at the right hand of God; and in 10:14, of the “everlasting” effects of His sacrifice upon them that are sanctified.

Dia pantos (#2) indicates that a certain thing is done frequently throughout a period; Eis to deinekes (#3) stresses the unbroken “continuity” of what is mentioned.

The adjective, adialeiptos = “continual, unceasing.” The adjective ginomai signifies, to being to be (suggesting origin); to become (suggesting entrance on a new state); to come to pass (suggesting effect).

In short, we begin our walk with the Lord (salvation) and CONTINUE walking till the END! I see no suggestion of taking an extended vacation. Continually means non stop service.

Diateleo (adj) means to bring through to an end (dia = “through,” telos, “an end”), to finish FULLY or, when used of time, CONTINUE right through, (see meno). For diameno, to continue throughout interruption see Luke 1:22 (v.v. = “remained”); Luke 22:28; Galatians 2:5; 2 Peter 3:4; Hebrews 1:11 – all using diameno.

Emmeno means to “remain” (in), see Acts 28:30 (or “abiding” in best mss.), Acts 14:22, Galatians 3:10, Hebrews 8:9.

Epimeno means “to remain on,” i.e. “in addition to,” to “continue long, still abide,” John 8:7; Acts 12:16; 13:43; Romans 6:1; 11:22,23; Philemon 1:24; Colossians 1:23; 1 Timothy 4:16.

Parameno means “to remain by or near, to continue or persevere, see Hebrews 7:23; James 1:25; Philemon 1:25; 1 Corinthians 16:6.

Prosmeno means “to remain with, to continue with, see Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:2 (A.V. = “been with”); 1 Timothy 5:5.

Proskartereo, (lit.) “to be strong towards, to endure in or persevere in, to be continually steadfast with a person.” What do we find in Scripture? We find this:

“Therefore… be STEADFAST immovable, always abouding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Corinthians 15:58);

“If (note these words!) indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…” (Colossians 1:23).

We find 2 Greek words:

(1) continue/Greek “epimeno” = “to stay over, i.e. remain/persevere/abide/tarry”;

(2) steadfast/Greek“hedraios” = “primarily denotes seated (hedra = a seat); metaphorical of moral fixity (see 1 Corinthians 7:37; 15:58).

Are we not to REMAIN STEADFAST with the Lord Jesus… in our commission for mission?

Proskartereo is also used in Colossians 4:2: “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it…”

The words “continuing steadfastly,” the adverb representing the intensive preposition (see also Acts 6:4 where “continually to prayer” is used.).

Dianuktereuo means “to continue all night,” as in Luke 6:12.

Romans 2:7 (A.V.) speaks of “patient continuance,” the R.V. has “patience” (lit., “according to patience.”).

So, I’ve written all this to say this: If we CONTINUE in the Lord and remain STEADFAST with the Lord, we will be OVERCOMERS. The word “if” is so important. The N.T. ends with: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear” (Revelations 13:9). These words are evidently introduced to impress the reader with the AWFULNESS of what John wrote down. V.9 is a reiteration of the exhortation which either precedes or follows the promises to the martyrs in the conclusions of the 7 letters in chapter 2-3.

John’s words are a reminder to the Christians that IF they are destined for captivity, they will go into captivity, i.e. IF they are destined to be persecuted/martyred, this will be their fate. The Spirit once spoke to us (me and my wife while in prayer) that in the future there will be those who are murdered and martyred, and some will be overcomers. None of us know who will be persecuted/prosecuted/imprisoned (both of us have been!). No one knows who will have to die as a martyr for the Lord, or be murdered!

Our endurance in the faith will be tested. Steadfastness and endurance are 2 necessary prerequisites for martyrdom, for without patient endurance/steadfastness in a time of persecution and death, coupled with a sublime faith in the FINAL outcome, few would become martyrs.

I know when we went thru GREAT PERSECUTION, many that we trained to be soldiers of the Lord, ran away! Some even became our persecutors – in order to save their butts! We will be eternally saved IF we endure to the END.

Endure (see Matthew 24:13/Mark 13:13), Greek, “hupomeno” = “to stay under (behind), i.e. remain, bear (trials), have fortitude, abide, suffer etc.” There are 7 verbs and 1 noun. The Greek word found in Matthew 24:13 and Mark 13:13, meaning to abide under and to bear up under our trials/tribulations. The noun, “hupomeno,” means “a remaining under” (i.e. “patient enduring” in 2 Corinthians 1:6, R.V., for A.V., “enduring”). In short, the Christian must ENDURE, suffer wrong, suffer hardships. IF we fail, THEN we lose! 2 Thessalonians 1:4 uses the Greek word “anecho,” meaning “endure persecutions/tribulations. Paul uses “patience,” and “faith”/ “persecutions” and “tribulations” … “that you endure.” If we keep the faith, then we will be the overcomers God called us to be. But if we do not, then we will not. The choice is ours.