To Prune (καθαίρω)

Through the concept of a vine and a vinedresser, Christ explains to the disciples the new relationship the saved will have with Him and God the Father after His resurrection. He is the vine, the source of life for the branches. The Father is the vinedresser. In John 15:2, the vinedresser lifts the branches that do not bear fruit and prunes those producing fruit so they can yield more. Lifting (αἴρω) is a word that means to pick up. Prune (καθαίρω) is derived from lifting (αἴρω). By adding a preposition to the front of the word, the meaning changes from lift to lifting away, or pruning. The intent for pruning is given within the passage. He prunes the branches so they may produce more fruit.
Take up (αἴρω) is found in several forms to emphasize the purpose of lifting. In 1 Corinthians 5:2, it is used with the preposition for “out from”. The saints of Corinth were puffed up and boasting about allowing a man who was blatantly sinning among them. Their response should have been to mourn such activities and remove, lift away, that person from among them. We, as sons of God, are not to keep company with any brother who is a fornicator, covetous, idolator, reviler, drunkard, or extortioner. Instead, these people are to be put away from us for they are malignantly evil, 1 Corinthians 5:10.
Pruning (καθαίρω) is therefore done in the life of a Christian who is producing the fruit of the Spirit by governing his life according to the desires from the Holy Spirit so that he can yield more fruit. Neither lifting (αἴρω) nor pruning (καθαίρω) implies the removal of the branch from the vine.