I clicked on the link to the footnote (highlighted in red above), and the footnote indicates that the words translated "takes away" should read "lifts up".The words "He takes away" are translated from the Greek word airó which means to raise, lift up.The Father, as Vinedresser, tenderly cares for all branches in the Vine. And those branches which need a little extra support in order to bear fruit, the Vinedresser lifts up and provides what is needed in the life of the branch in order to bring forth that fruit.The Vine provides the sap which runs through the branch and the Vine produces the fruit which the branch holds out for all to see and partake of.The One Who kept His Father's commandments and Who remained in the Father's love is the same One who lives in the born again one. And He is the One Who walks with us, strengthens us, provides what is needed to meet every obstacle we will face in this life. He is with us in the struggle; He is with us in the calm; He is with us in the joy; He is with us in those moments when we feel as if we stand alone in an ocean of unbelief.And, by the way, the commandment Jesus Christ tells us to keep in found in verse 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.Inasmuch as it is the Vine Who produces within the branch this love wherewith the branches are to love one another, how can we not keep His commandments? The Vine gives us the means; the Father provides us the support and protection we need in order to love one another. We abide in the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How difficult is it to hold out that love which flows from Jesus (the Vine) into us (the branch)?