NBBC SS: John 1:1-14
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: This Gospel, 3 letters, and the book of Revelation are traditionally attributed to the Apostle John in authorship. While John has some unique content to contribute not found in the other 3 Gospels, John’s message about belief and his focus on the sign miracles associated with Jesus are all consistent with Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Bauckham). I believe that the theme verse of John’s Gospel is John 20:31 “31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” It is believed that John wrote his Gospel as late as AD 95 and as early as AD 85 and may have been written when John was exiled to the island of Patmos (Blum). As we study the first 14 verses of John 1, we’re going to see some important words that John will use that he will employ later in some important ways.
John 1:1-5 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
If any of you are using the ESV, NIV, or NKJV, you’ll notice that your translation has the exact same wording as the NASB - the translators finally agreed on something!
Notice how the Apostle John commences this Gospel.
“In the Beginning”
Do these words sound familiar to you?
I hope that they do for this is how the very first verse of the Bible begins.
In the Greek translation of the OT called the Septuagint for the Roman numerals for 70 (LXX), both of these verses begin with these two words Ἐν ἀρχῇ.
While en arche is used in a variety of places in the OT, there are 2 unique things about it’s use here and in Genesis 1:1 that make it stand apart from all other uses.
It’s at the head of the sentence, whereas in other uses it comes later and does not receive emphasis.
Both here and in Genesis 1:1, the phrase does not have anything that follows it that would indicate the beginning of something within the normal course of human existence.
Therefore, on account of the emphasis that it receives at the head of both sentences and the fact that it refers to a beginning outside of normal human circumstances, this phrase can only refer to the superlative beginning, the beginning of all beginnings: the beginning of creation itself.
This phrase contains so much meaning that I hope that we do not pass over it lightly.
This phrase refers to the commencement of all things: planets, stars, seasons, the race of humanity, etc.
What was it that was “In the beginning?”
The Word
Notice, this does not say that the Word had a beginning.
Instead, when the beginning of all things began, the Word was.
The term “was” is very important for our study.
John will use it in several ways but specifically about the identity of the Word as we continue in these first few verses.
That is, we are going to be given specific details about the Word to help us understand more about Who He is.
In this first use of “was” in relation to beginning, we understand that the Word supersedes the beginning.
Hence, the Word has existed long before there was a beginning of anything.
Thus implying that the Word had no beginning like other things did.
In summary, the Word existed before the beginning and was there at the beginning: the Word is eternal.
Not only is the Word eternal, but we are told something about the relationship of the Word to another individual.
Who was it that the Word was with?
God.
Here in the original, there’s an article that remains untranslated.
If it were to be translated, it would be “the God” but that would sound odd.
However, the way that John uses this specific reference to God with the article, he is intending to call attention not to God in general terms but a specific member of the Trinity: God the Father.
For example, John 1:34 contains John the Baptist’s testimony that Jesus is God’s Son.
Herein, the article in the Greek remains untranslated.
However, if God has a Son that must mean that He is a Father.
Hence, this reference, and many others illustrates John’s consistent use of God with the article to refer to God the Father.
Notice the use of the word “with” to describe the relationship between God the Father and the Word.
When used of individuals, the word translated “with” refers to active fellowship (Harris).
Maybe an illustration would help.
Under normal circumstances, what naturally happens when at least two people are together?
Conversation
Getting to know one another.
In a limited sense, that’s what is implied here.
If God the Father is “with” anything, then He is in relationship with that thing.
Thus what is before is us the personality of the Word.
That is, if the Word is capable of relationship with God the Father, then that points to the Word’s personality.
Hence, the Word is not some impersonal force.
Instead, the Word is a Person!
In summary, the Word is personal, and in relationship with God the Father, eternally (in light of the nature of His existence as just described).
However, this is not the only item describing the Word.
At the conclusion of v. 1, the Word is described as “was God.”
While Jehovah’s Witnesses have taken this phrase as such a hard distinction so as to make the Word a different god entirely, nothing could be further from the truth.
Instead, the only distinction is in personality as the next verse will make clear.
The Word is actually God in essence and possesses all the authority and power associated with being deity.
Thus, just like God the Father is God, so also the Word is God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
Herein, the emphasis is on the essential nature of both of these personalities as being God.
What we have in this verse is a combination of the temporal (was) and the relationship (with) that is meant to lead us to a conclusion: both of these individuals possess the same nature of deity.
Both of these individuals were in the beginning.
One is God the Father.
The Other is God the Word.
Both are God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
A more literal rendering of the beginning phrase would be “All through Him (the Word) came into being”.
“Things” was included by the translators to give more specificity.
However, sometimes the word can take on more of an association with something that is physical, material.
Instead, the idea communicated here is that the Word created all things material and immaterial.
The word translated “apart” carries with it some interesting uses through John’s Gospel.
Herein, it refers to the fact that all things owe their existence to the Word.
However, the phrase not only refers to everything owing its existence to the Word.
Later, Jesus will say that “apart” from Him, one cannot do anything (John 15:5)
In other words, we need Jesus to be able to accomplish anything fruitful in terms of pleasing Jesus.
The other reference to “apart” is in John 20:7 to refer to the setting of Jesus’ grave clothes by themself after Jesus’ resurrection.
Hence, any reference in John to “apart” is specifically used in relation to the Word and Jesus in some way
John 1:3 calls attention to the Word’s power to create.
John 15:5 calls attention to Jesus’ unique ability to empower for service.
John 20:7 in the reference to the grave clothes no longer having an inhabitant calls attention to Jesus’ resurrection power.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
There’s an interesting parallel between this verse and Psalm 36:9 employing both life and light in relation to God.
I believe that it helps us to understand “life” in terms of providing for the sustenance of the creation that the Word made.
Thus, this calls attention to the Sustaining power of the Word.
The Word not only sustains His creation but is also described as being the “Light of men.”
The phrase “Light of life” related to this verse, is used in John 8:12.
Therein, Jesus, following the event of the woman caught in adultery, draws a distinction between the way that people naturally go (darkness), and the way that He can lead them.
In that passage, Jesus has just concluded by telling the woman, directing her, to go and sin no more.
In other words, Jesus was calling on the woman to follow the words that He gave to her.
On a side note, consider the implied authority of Jesus over sin in this passage.
Jesus told the woman to “sin no more” (cf. John 8:11).
In order for Jesus to make an authoritative statement such as this, He must be more powerful than sin, the darkness He refers to in John 8:12.
In Jesus’ follow up statement, He identifies that if one follows Him, they will not walk in darkness but have the “Light of life,” meaning that they will not walk in the darkness of sin but in Jesus’ righteousness.
Thus, as the “Light of men” the Word leads others in what is right to do that pleases the Lord instead of sin.
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John’s use of the word “darkness” demands that we take seriously the threat that it poses.
John’s reference here indicates that darkness is opposed to the Light, the Word; thus, the enemy of the Light/the Word.
In John 8:12, Jesus identifies that darkness is the current state of the world that He came to change; hence, darkness is negative.
Darkness is opposed even to those who are wrapped up in it (John 12:35).
To be delivered from darkness, one must believe in Jesus (John 12:46).
Notice that while the Light shone in the darkness, John indicates that, “the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Comprehend NASB is elsewhere translated as “overtake”.
In John 8:3,4, the woman brought before Jesus was “caught in”/“overtaken” in adultery.
The sense of overtaking something and being under its total domination.
However, was the Word, the Light overtaken by the darkness?
No.
While the darkness is opposed to the Light, the darkness has not overcome the Light!
Thus, if the Light has withstood the darkness, then it stands to reason that we must seek the Light, believe in the Light, as our only hope against the darkness.
For the Light is stronger than the darkness.
We see this evidenced in the fact that not only has the Light created all things but sustains the life that has been created.
So far, we have seen:
The existence of the Word
The presence of the Word with God the Father in relationship
The identity of the Word as God
The power of the Word as Creator
The compassion of the Word as Sustainer
And the Strength of the Word in withstanding the darkness.
Next, the identity of the Word is going to be considered in terms one who was not the Word.
John 1:6-8 “6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John uses another interesting word here: “came”.
A more literal translation is “came into being”.
In connection with God’s sending of this man, what we have is the unique origin of this individual’s ministry.
While at this point in the verse the individual’s ministry has not been made clear, we are assured of the unique origin and authority behind their ministry.
The term “sent” also carries with it some important uses in John’s Gospel.
According to John 3:34 -if one is sent by God, they are under obligation to speak His Word
Connected with the Spirit.
Implied that the Spirit gives the power and authority to proclaim God’s Word
John 4:38 - those sent by Jesus are to labor for Him in the world
John 17:18; 20:21 - all believers are sent by Jesus
Since all believers are sent by Jesus to labor in the world, the Spirit gives the empowerment to proclaim God’s Word.
Now we’re introduced to the identity of this individual sent by God: John.
This is not the John who’s authorship is attributed to this Gospel.
This John’s imprisonment is recorded in this book.
This John is no longer spoken of following John 10.
As this Gospel will make clear, this is John the Baptist
7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
What was the unique purpose of John the Baptist’s ministry?
To be a witness who testified about the Light
What does it mean to testify?
in the 33 uses of martureo “witness”, there is a unique emphasis
This emphasis includes the truthfulness of the one testifying
With Jesus, His works also testify to His nature
What is the purpose of John’s testifying about the Light?
That others would believe as a result of John’s testimony
Believe what?
By implication, it concerns the Light that John came to testify about; if testifying concern speaking what is true, then what John was to testify was what is true about the Word that is the Light
Through other testimonies, it’s much clearer: John 4:39 (the woman at the well) and John 19:35 (the Apostles John)
Here we are introduced to the major theme of John’s Gospel
The word trans. “believe” is used 98 times in 85 verses throughout this Gospel
Thus, if all should believe what is true about the Light, Who is the Word, through John’s testimony, then it stands to reason that this message is relevant for us even today
John’s use of “all” spans beyond his own current generation and audience.
John’s use of “all” includes us and those that would follow John and beyond!
8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.”
We have another identity clarification here.
John was not the Light that he came to testify about.
He was merely a witness
What is the importance of this clarification?
It’s anticipating what others would be tempted to think about John
That is, maybe he was the Light prophesied in the OT and anticipated even up to John’s generation
John would be asked about his identity in John 1:19 and respond in v. 20 that he was not the Christ
Thus, we have here implicit allusion to the identity of the Word, the Light - He’s the Christ!
The negative is in the emphatic position at the beginning of the sentence - hence, the goal is to make it clear that John is not the Light that this Gospel has been discussing thus far
In this introduction to John the Baptist, his being sent reminds us that all who have believed in Jesus are sent with Jesus’ authority to proclaim God’s Word in the power of the Spirit.
In the next section, John’s Gospel is going to turn again to the Word in emphasizing the reception of the Word, the Light.
John 1:9-13 “9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
What 2 things does v. 9 indicate that the “true Light” does?
Has come into the world.
Notice how this phrase is preceded by our important word “was”.
The use of this word suggests that the coming of the Word, the Light into the world was not the beginning of the Light’s existence.
Instead, the Light just came onto the scene within the course of human history.
The way that the the Light came onto the scene of human history will be elaborated on momentarily.
Enlightens every man.
This word “enlighten” is employed 10 times across the Scripture and can refer to anything from giving light, exposing things that are going on in one’s heart, having understanding and even spotlighting God’s glory.
In the revelation of God’s great glory and working, to enlighten refers to exposing what’s in one’s heart for the purpose of true understanding that does not necessarily guarantee that one has believed in Jesus.
Thus, each one has the responsibility to believe in Jesus but the enlightening work of the Light does not necessarily guarantee that they everyone will believe in Jesus.
While there might be a question as to how is it that the Light enlightens every person, I believe that Romans 1:19-20 helpfully demonstrates each person’s accountability before the Lord that I would encourage you to meditate upon sometime this week.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
Next, we see John’s summary statement so far about the Word, the Light.
The next important word that we see here is the word “know”.
Combined with the negative, this phrase appears in two other places.
In both of those places, the word “know” is translated as “understand”.
John 3:10 - Nicodemus, did not “understand” even though he was a teacher of Israel.
That is, Nicodemus had the tools to understand the things that Jesus was teaching Nicodemus about Himself.
Therefore, the problem must be deeper than merely human understanding
John 8:43 Jesus questions why others have not understood what He has said to them.
It’s because they cannot receive His Word.
It’s a matter of their will, thus, a problem with their heart
Knowing involves recognizing Who the Word, the Light, the Christ, Jesus is and believing in Him.
This is John’s purpose for writing this Gospel
Why did the world not know the Word, the Light?
It was a heart problem.
A problem that is universal to the entire world!
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
“to His own” is in the emphatic position.
Who were “His own?”
The Jewish people (Robertson)
Hence, we’re getting some more information about the relationship between the Word, the Light and a particular people group.
There were His own ethnic people
Hence, the Word, the Light became a human being and with genuine ethnicity.
But the Word’s, the Light’s becoming a human being was not the beginning of this individual’s existence.
Notice the term “received.”
It’s used 3 times in John’s Gospel.
In this usage, this is the only usage with a specified negative “no.”
In John 14:3, Jesus prophesies that He will come back for those who have believed in Him and they will be with Him permanently.
John 19:17 specifies that “They took Jesus” to the cross, or He was forcefully received to bear His cross and be crucified.
I believe that there’s a bit of irony here.
His Own did not receive Him, yet He is willing to receive even to the point of being forcefully received (taken) to the cross.
Christ was received to the cross so that He might receive others, even those that initially did not receive Him; “The Holy Heart”
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
What does it mean to receive the Word, the Light?
To believe in His name
To believe in the name of the Word, the Light refers to accepting Him for Who He is, completely true
What is the result of receiving/believing in the name of the Word, the Light?
Receiving
Receiving the right to become the children of God
Not merely in name only
A complete transformation
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Notice how this verse completely demolishes any human effort to become God’s child
I like how the NIV renders this verse.
“children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
It utterly eliminating any traditional, natural means to become God’s child.
The purpose of the Word, the Light in coming into the world was to expose hearts and give understanding so that those who believe would be made God’s children.
In the final verse that we’re going to consider this morning, we’re going to come to understand the vehicle through which the Word, the Light came into the world.
John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
There is a significant truth implied here in the initial phrase!
The will of the flesh has no authority to make one a child of God.
Yet the Word became flesh, took on a human nature while still retaining His deity
What does that imply about the authority of the Word?
The Word has all authority over flesh
We know that the Word has this authority because the Word is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Notice the word “dwelt” used here.
It’s used in OT to refer to one pitching their tent: Gn 13:12; Jdg 5:17; Jdg 8:11 - mostly a military encampment
It’s unique to Johanine literature
Employed in Rv 21:3 to refer to God’s permanent presence among His people in the new heavens and new earth.
The Word’s, the Light’s initial dwelling was temporary on earth.
Yet He will create all things anew and dwell with His people permanently.
Both the Word/the Light and God the Father share the same glory
What is it that this glory consisted of?
Grace & truth
Grace: God the Father’s unmerited favor for He sent the Word/the Light into the world in human flesh so that all who believe in the name of the Word/the Light might receive the authority/right to become God’s children as opposed to being overtaken by darkness
Truth: God the Father’s ultimate manifestation of the truth through the Word/the Light
Who is this One the Word, the Light, that became flesh?
John 1:18, John the Baptist the witness that we can trust shares with us the answer
Jesus
Begotten - referring to the uniqueness of the Word with all the privileges that would be akin to a firstborn child in ancient times (DBL Greek)
Conclusion: Our study today has mostly focused on the deity and appearance of the Word as a human being for the purpose that those who believe in Him would be made God’s children. Along the way, we have considered our own hearts for, by implication, if Jesus had to appear on the scene, it was because there was something wrong that He needed to resolve. As believers, we have the great privilege to proclaim these truths in the power of the Spirit sent by Jesus. As John 15:5 reminds us, Jesus is the source of our empowerment to serve. Therefore, let us rely on the Word, the Light, the Christ, Jesus to boldly proclaim His Word to this world that He both has created and presently sustains.