In the context of the Bible, the term "fruitless" often refers to the lack of spiritual productivity or the failure to produce good works and righteous living that are expected of believers. This concept is frequently illustrated through metaphors involving trees and plants, which are expected to bear fruit as evidence of their health and vitality.

Old Testament References

The imagery of fruitlessness is present in the Old Testament, where it is often used to describe Israel's failure to live up to God's covenantal expectations. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the prophet Isaiah presents the "Song of the Vineyard," where God likens Israel to a vineyard that He has tended with care, only to yield wild grapes instead of the expected good fruit. This passage highlights the disappointment and judgment that result from fruitlessness.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 contrasts the fruitless life of those who trust in man with the fruitful life of those who trust in the Lord. The one who trusts in man is likened to a shrub in the desert, unable to see prosperity when it comes, while the one who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by water, always bearing fruit.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently uses the metaphor of fruit-bearing to describe the expected outcomes of a life lived in obedience to God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against false prophets, saying, "By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:16). This implies that true followers of Christ will be known by the good fruit they produce, while those who are fruitless are not genuinely His.

The parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 further illustrates the theme of fruitlessness. In this parable, a fig tree that has not borne fruit for three years is given one more chance to produce before being cut down. This parable serves as a warning about the consequences of continued fruitlessness and the patience of God, who desires repentance and transformation.

John 15:1-8 is a key passage where Jesus describes Himself as the true vine and His followers as the branches. He emphasizes that branches that do not bear fruit are taken away, while those that do bear fruit are pruned to become even more fruitful. Jesus states, "If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). This underscores the necessity of abiding in Christ to produce spiritual fruit.

Apostolic Teachings

The apostle Paul also addresses the concept of fruitlessness in his epistles. In Galatians 5:19-23, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh, which are fruitless, with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and other virtues. He encourages believers to walk by the Spirit to avoid the fruitlessness of sinful living.

In Ephesians 5:8-11, Paul exhorts believers to live as children of light, producing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth, and to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. This passage highlights the transformation expected in the lives of those who follow Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of fruitlessness serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living a life that reflects the values and teachings of Scripture. It calls believers to examine their lives, ensuring that they are producing the fruit of righteousness and good works as evidence of their faith and relationship with God.1. (a.) Lacking, or not bearing, fruit; barren; destitute of offspring; as, a fruitless tree or shrub; a fruitless marriage.

2. (a.) Productive of no advantage or good effect; vain; idle; useless; unprofitable; as, a fruitless attempt; a fruitless controversy.

2508. kathairo -- to cleanse
... Cognate: 2508 -- make clean by (removing undesirable elements); hence, "pruned
(purged)"; eliminating what is fruitless by purifying (making ). See 2513 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2508.htm - 6k

1601. ekpipto -- to leap out
... in nautical language: I fall off from the straight course; of flowers: I fade away,
wither away; I fall from, lose, forfeit; I am cast ashore; I am fruitless. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1601.htm - 6k

2757. kenophonia -- empty talk
... chatter, empty talk. From a presumed compound of kenos and phone; empty sounding,
ie Fruitless discussion -- vain. see GREEK kenos. see GREEK phone. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2757.htm - 6k

3150. mataiologia -- idle or foolish talk
... talking. Word Origin from mataiologos Definition idle or foolish talk NASB
Word Usage fruitless discussion (1). vain jangling. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3150.htm - 6k

The Fruitless vine
... The Fruitless Vine. A Sermon (No.125). Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 22, 1857,
by the. REV. ... Now, let us dwell upon this point. A fruitless profession. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the fruitless vine.htm

The Fruitless Search.
... Homily XII. Chapter XVII."The Fruitless Search. "But when the day dawned,
I shouted aloud, and howled miserably, and looked around ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xvii the fruitless search.htm

Fruitless Counsel.
... Homily II. Chapter XXVIII."Fruitless Counsel. "These things, and things
reckoned greater than these, he promised us, on condition ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxviii fruitless counsel.htm

Pilate's Fruitless Efforts to Save Jesus. --The Dream of Pilate's ...
... CHAPTER VI. THE TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION. Section 287. Pilate's fruitless
Efforts to save Jesus."The Dream of Pilate's Wife. In ...
/.../section 287 pilates fruitless efforts.htm

Fruitless Faith
... Fruitless Faith. A Sermon (No.3434). Published on Thursday, November 26th, 1914.
Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At [6]the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/fruitless faith.htm

The Call by the Sea
... The disciples, weary with a night of fruitless toil, were still in their fishing
boats on the lake. ... And no lesson of Christ's fell fruitless. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 25 the call by.htm

The True vine.
... See Isa.5:1; Ps.80; Jer.2:21. Israel, however, had proved a wild and fruitless
Vine. ... We are dead, fruitless branches, without the Christ-life. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the true vine.htm

A Doomed People
... They are not in touch with humanity. Those who thus live for self are like
the fig tree, which made every pretension but was fruitless. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 64 a doomed people.htm

The Fig-Tree.
... Let us join, then, the Master and His disciples, as they stand on the crest above
Bethany, and, gazing on that fruitless leaf-bearer, "hear this parable of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xix the fig-tree.htm

The Crisis in Galilee
... But their search was fruitless, and many repaired to Capernaum, still seeking Him.
Meanwhile He had arrived at Gennesaret, after an absence of but one day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 41 the crisis in.htm

Fruitless (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Lacking, or not bearing, fruit; barren; destitute
of offspring; as, a fruitless tree or shrub; a fruitless marriage. ...
/f/fruitless.htm - 7k

Curse (211 Occurrences)
... compare Romans 12:14). He Himself cursed the fruitless fig tree (Mark
11:21)-a symbol of the doom of a fruitless people. Curse as the ...
/c/curse.htm - 46k

Asmoneans
... A second campaign of Bacchides proved fruitless against the daring and cunning of
Jonathan and Simon, and they succeeded in making peace with the Syrians (Ant ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Vanity (100 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That which is vain; anything empty, visionary, unreal, or unsubstantial;
fruitless desire or effort; trifling labor productive of no good; empty ...
/v/vanity.htm - 39k

Vain (141 Occurrences)
... unsatisfying. 2. (superl.) Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose;
fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt. 3 ...
/v/vain.htm - 36k

Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
... 65)? 2. The Defense: The above interview, though apparently fruitless at
the time, was not without its effect upon Nicodemus. At ...
/n/nicodemus.htm - 14k

Unmovable (1 Occurrence)
... 15:58 Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied at all times
in the Lord's work, knowing that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord. ...
/u/unmovable.htm - 6k

Occupied (32 Occurrences)
... 15:58 Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied at all times
in the Lord's work, knowing that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord. ...
/o/occupied.htm - 16k

Firm (111 Occurrences)
... 15:58 Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied at all times
in the Lord's work, knowing that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord. ...
/f/firm.htm - 34k

Fruition (1 Occurrence)

/f/fruition.htm - 7k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the True Vine” (John 15:1)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the key to bearing fruit as a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Fruitless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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