The Eternal Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18)

Explanation

John’s Gospel begins in a unique way compared to the other gospel accounts. Rather than begin with a genealogy to prove who Jesus was or begin as Mark does by just jumping right in, John starts off with one of the most poetic works of literature in the Scriptures. This section of God’s Word has an intense intentionality with each choice of word, and there is depth and accessibility that mix in a tantalizing and fearsome way. Much like the ocean, John’s gospel has small pools of water babes can play in on the beach, easy ebbs and flows at the entrance to the ocean, and yet a profound and unimaginable depth that could overcome the most seasoned and well-equipped diver. From the ease of a sand castle on the beach to the abyss of the Mariana Trench, John presents Jesus Christ as the God-Man in all of His glory so that Christ’s sheep may be saved.

There are three main thrusts in our text, and we will handle each sub-heading as we come to it.

John 1:1-5 (The Word)

John wants to make imminently clear that Jesus is God, and he will give us eight glimpses into who Jesus is to prove it.

Eternal (v. 1a)

“1 In the beginning was the Word,”

In the Greek text, it simply says, “In Beginning.” This refers to the ultimate beginning of Creation, including time itself. John is showing us that this Word is eternal. He has no beginning and no end. He is the Alpha and the Omega.

Coexistent (v. 1b)

“and the Word was with God,”

The Greek word for “with” here has the meaning of being relationally with someone. I enjoy adding the words “face-to-face” with God to clarify the personal aspect of what John is saying. John says you know this ultimate beginning of everything? Not only was the Word already there but He was in intimate communion with God! This Word is co-existent with God.

Cosubstantially Divine (v. 1c)

“and the Word was God.”

Unlike certain sub-Christian organizations will try and tell you, the Greek does not say, “The Word was a God.” It actually says, “and God was the Word.” What John is really driving home in this first verse is that this Word is the same essence as God. The Word is consubstantially Divine, or to put it another way. Jesus Christ is just as much God-like as God the Father is Christ-like.

Uncreated (v. 2)

“2 He was in the beginning with God.”

John not only reiterates what he has already stated but he sets us up for a solid contrast in verse three. While everything was made through the Word, He was already in the beginning with God. The Word is uncreated, or He has already existed with having been created. Everything else has the verb becoming to describe it but the Word has the verb being. The Word did not become. The Word was.

Creator (v. 3)

“3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”

The Word was not only there at creation but partook in the action of creation. John wanting to help be extremely clear, says a positive statement and then doubles down with a negative statement affirming the same. The Greek text states, “Not even one thing came into being that came into being.” This is similar to our word, nothing but intensified in a way only the Greek language could facilitate. John wants you to know that the Word is the Creator.

Life (v. 4a)

“4 In him was life,”

There are two main words for life in the Greek text. The one that John uses here typically speaks of spiritual life. This is the life difference between you and your dog. You both may breathe, have a heart, and eat…but if you try to explain the implications of the gospel and eternal damnation to your pup, you will not get a reasonable response back because this spiritual life is missing. Jesus Christ, the Word, is life. All of life is found in Him, and none can be found without Him.

Light (v. 4b)

“and the life was the light of men.”

John now further explains his meaning of life by defining it as “the light of men.” God is referred to as light. His glory is revealed as light throughout the Scriptures. He is the perfect, unapproachable light. He is revealing, illuminating, penetrating, life-giving, inspiring, beautiful, overwhelming, inextinguishable, radiance of glory. The Word is the light, the glory of God, the exact representation of God in this fallen world.

Holy (v. 5)

“5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

The Greek word for overcome can be translated in two main ways: either to grasp, as in to overcome or overpower, or as in to grasp with the mind, as in to comprehend or understand. The student of God’s Word should have peace with sometimes coming to a crossroads of interpretation and with childlike faith reading Romans 11:33-36 and humbly, worshipfully walking forward. The truth is that the darkness (this world) cannot overpower the omnipotent Light, nor can it comprehend the omniscient Light because their minds are darkened, and they are dead in their sins. Both the Word’s sure victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil can be affirmed, as well as the fact that man is totally unable to save himself or to understand the things of God outside of the miraculous work of God’s regenerative Spirit. In all of these things, John shows us the Word as holy, perfectly unique, and set apart from everyone and everything.