15:7

This verse tells what would happen to and for those who do remain or abide in him. God will answer their prayers.

15:7a

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you: This is a conditional clause. It indicates two conditions that both must be fulfilled before someone’s prayers will be answered. If possible, translate the word remain the same way both times. For example:

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
If you live in me and what I say lives in you (God’s Word)

you remain in Me: The phrase remain in Me refers to living in union with Christ, in close fellowship and agreement. Translate it as you did in 15:4 and 15:5. For example:

Stay joined to me (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
If you abide in me (New Revised Standard Version)

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to the disciples.

My words remain in you: This clause refers to remembering Jesus’ words and obeying what he taught. Jesus’ words abide or remain in a person when that person thinks about them and follows them. In some languages it may be natural to translate this with the person/disciple as the subject. For example:

you let my words remain in you
-or-
you keep in your hearts what I teach you (Otomi Back Translation)

My words: This phrase refers to all that Jesus had taught. For example:

my teaching
-or-
the things I have told you

15:7b

ask whatever you wish: The verb ask is short for “ask God in prayer” or “pray to God.” When a person abides in Christ, the things that he wants and asks for are also things that will please Christ. Everywhere in this chapter Jesus referred to God as “the Father” or “my Father,” so it is good to do so here also. For example:

ask ⌊the Father⌋ for whatever you want

it will be done for you: This clause is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

it will be granted (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
your prayer will be answered (Contemporary English Version)

• Use an active verb. God himself is the one who will answer these prayers. For example:

you shall have it (Good News Translation)
-or-
it will be yours (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊the/my Father⌋ will give you ⌊what you ask for⌋

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