8父是葡萄树的源头和本质。没有果子,葡萄树的素质、本质和生命就是隐藏、遮藏并受限制的。然而,在成串的果子上,葡萄树内里生命的丰富就得着彰显。这样彰显内里的生命,就是将神圣的本质从葡萄树里面释放出来。葡萄树的生命借着枝子的繁殖和繁增得着彰显,父就因此得荣耀,因为父在祂生命丰富里的所是,在葡萄树的繁殖和繁增上得着彰显。这是父的得荣耀。
8The Father is the source and substance of the vine. Apart from the fruit, the essence, substance, and life of the vine are concealed, hidden, confined. However, the riches of the inner life of the vine are expressed in the clusters of fruit. To express the inner life in this way is to release the divine substance from within the vine. When the life of the vine is expressed through the branches in its propagation and multiplication, the Father is glorified, because what the Father is in the riches of His life is expressed in the propagation and multiplication of the vine. This is the glorification of the Father.