Jesus tells us, "By this my Father is glorified" (John 15:8). The words "by this" (εν τουτω) are in the emphatic position at the start of the verse. Jesus is referring forward not backward to the upcoming purpose clause. We glorify God in two ways: 1) by producing much (πολυν) fruit and 2) by being (or becoming) his disciples. Abiding in Christ is the means of producing fruit and being his disciple bringing glory to the gardener.
The second half of the verse is problematic. Jesus is clearly speaking to those already his disciples so how could they glorify the gardener by becoming his disciples? Several translations supply the word "so" which is not in the text thereby turning the second clause into a result of the first clause. Bearing much fruit proves (or shows) that they are true disciples of Jesus is a common way to interpret the verse.
There is also a textual problem with the verb. Is the verb "become" a subjunctive (γενησθε) mood or a future (γενησεσθε) tense? The manuscript evidence is evenly divided, but it is probably better to take the verb as a future because of the grammatical structure of the passage. Often a purpose clause introduced by "that" (ινα) would take the subjunctive. However, this construction has two verbs connected by "and" (και). As such, it is a special case where the first verb is in the subjunctive mood and the second is a future tense. The future tense indicates a further consequence or future result that stands independently of the first one (Blass/Debrunner, Grammar, p.186). Therefore, being a disciple is not a result of bearing fruit but rather a second way to glorify God. We glorify God by bearing much fruit and by being Jesus' disciples. Both are necessary to glorify God.
What does it mean to be/become a disciple? The verb (γινομαι) is a fairly loose term with multiple meanings. It can mean to come about or take place - to become. It can also man to "be" as a substitute for the verb "is" (ειμι). I suggest that the verb used in this context simply acts as the equivalent of "is" or "are" (BAGD, p. 160). We can translate the verse this way. "By this, My Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and you will continue to be My disciples."
What is a disciple? Disciples (μαθηται) are learners or pupils - students and followers of a teacher (BAGD, p. 485). Learners are always learning and never learned. Disciples are continuously in process. Discipleship is a developmental process - a growing way of life - just as fruit growing on a branch is a process. Jesus is not talking about the point of origin but a continuing process. We have been pupils in the past. We are pupils now, and we will be pupils in the future. To return to the analogy of the vine and the branches, discipleship culminates at the end of life when the fruit of our lives is full and luscious thereby glorifying God, the master gardener.
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