Tt is notewortliy that tlie Greek would be more literally ren- dered, " He lias been cast out," and " Has been withered," in the past tense. Alford thinks that this is because the whole is spoken as if the great day of judgment were come. — Also the word " men " is supplied in our translation. Literally it would be, " They gather," " They cast," without referring to any per son in particular. This is a Hebraism which will be found in Matt. V. 15 ; Luke xvi. 9 ; Acts vii. 6.
After all, the final, miserable ruin and punishment of false professors, is the great lesson which the verse teaches. Abid- ing in Christ leads to fruitfulness in this life and everlasting happiness in the life to come. Departure from Christ leads to the everlasting fire of hell.