John 1:1-18 (Need Title)
Notes
Transcript
Familiarity
Familiarity
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ”) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, 17 for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.
1 Εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον Θεον και Θεος ην ο λογος 2 ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον Θεον 3 Παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν 4 εν αυτω ζωη ην και η ζωη ην το φως των ανθρωπων 5 και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν 6 Εγενετο ανθρωπος απεσταλμενος παρα Θεου ονομα αυτω Ιωαννης 7 ουτος ηλθεν εις μαρτυριαν ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος ινα παντες πιστευσωσιν δι αυτου 8 ουκ ην εκεινος το φως αλλ ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος 9 ην το φως το αληθινον ο φωτιζει παντα ανθρωπον ερχομενον εις τον κοσμον 10 εν τω κοσμω ην και ο κοσμος δι αυτου εγενετο και ο κοσμος αυτον ουκ εγνω 11 εις τα ιδια ηλθεν και οι ιδιοι αυτον ου παρελαβον 12 οσοι δε ελαβον αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις εξουσιαν τεκνα Θεου γενεσθαι τοις πιστευουσιν εις το ονομα αυτου 13 οι ουκ εξ αιματων ουδε εκ θεληματος σαρκος ουδε εκ θεληματος ανδρος αλλ εκ Θεου εγεννηθησαν 14 Και ο λογος σαρξ εγενετο και εσκηνωσεν εν ημιν και εθεασαμεθα την δοξαν αυτου δοξαν ως μονογενους παρα πατρος πληρης χαριτος και αληθειας 15 Ιωαννης μαρτυρει περι αυτου και κεκραγεν λεγων Ουτος ην ον ειπον Ο οπισω μου ερχομενος εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν οτι πρωτος μου ην 16 Και εκ του πληρωματος αυτου ημεις παντες ελαβομεν και χαριν αντι χαριτος 17 οτι ο νομος δια Μωσεως εδοθη η χαρις και η αληθεια δια Ιησου Χριστου εγενετο 18 Θεον ουδεις εωρακεν πωποτε ο μονογενης υιος ο ων εις τον κολπον του πατρος εκεινος εξηγησατο
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
1 Εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον Θεον και Θεος ην ο λογος 2 ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον Θεον 3 Παντα δι αυτου εγενετο και χωρις αυτου εγενετο ουδε εν ο γεγονεν 4 εν αυτω ζωη ην και η ζωη ην το φως των ανθρωπων 5 και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν 6 Εγενετο ανθρωπος απεσταλμενος παρα Θεου ονομα αυτω Ιωαννης 7 ουτος ηλθεν εις μαρτυριαν ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος ινα παντες πιστευσωσιν δι αυτου 8 ουκ ην εκεινος το φως αλλ ινα μαρτυρηση περι του φωτος 9 ην το φως το αληθινον ο φωτιζει παντα ανθρωπον ερχομενον εις τον κοσμον 10 εν τω κοσμω ην και ο κοσμος δι αυτου εγενετο και ο κοσμος αυτον ουκ εγνω 11 εις τα ιδια ηλθεν και οι ιδιοι αυτον ου παρελαβον 12 οσοι δε ελαβον αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις εξουσιαν τεκνα Θεου γενεσθαι τοις πιστευουσιν εις το ονομα αυτου 13 οι ουκ εξ αιματων ουδε εκ θεληματος σαρκος ουδε εκ θεληματος ανδρος αλλ εκ Θεου εγεννηθησαν 14 Και ο λογος σαρξ εγενετο και εσκηνωσεν εν ημιν και εθεασαμεθα την δοξαν αυτου δοξαν ως μονογενους παρα πατρος πληρης χαριτος και αληθειας 15 Ιωαννης μαρτυρει περι αυτου και κεκραγεν λεγων Ουτος ην ον ειπον Ο οπισω μου ερχομενος εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν οτι πρωτος μου ην 16 Και εκ του πληρωματος αυτου ημεις παντες ελαβομεν και χαριν αντι χαριτος 17 οτι ο νομος δια Μωσεως εδοθη η χαρις και η αληθεια δια Ιησου Χριστου εγενετο 18 Θεον ουδεις εωρακεν πωποτε ο μονογενης υιος ο ων εις τον κολπον του πατρος εκεινος εξηγησατο
Familiarity - Basic Questions
Familiarity - Basic Questions
When was the beginning?
Who was the Word?
What does it mean that all things were created through Him?
What does it mean that nothing was made apart from Him?
What does it mean that in Him was life?
Based on the last question - what does it mean that life was the light of men?
What does it mean that the Light shines in the darkness?
What does it mean that darkness did no overcome it?
Who is John?
What does it mean that he (John) testified about the light?
How does the true light give light to everyone?
What does it mean that the world did not recognize him?
Who was “His own” people?
Who recieved the Word?
How can the Word give people the right to be children of God?
What does it mean they were born of God?
What does it mean that the Word became flesh?
How did we observe His glory?
What does Son of the Father mean?
What does it mean that He was filled with grace and truth?
How did the Word exist before John?
How did we all receive grace?
What does it mean that grace and truth came from Jesus (does that mean it did not come from the Law?)
What does it mean that no one has ever seen God?
How did the Son reveal the Father?
Interpretation
Interpretation
This passage is broken down into three section
John 1:1-5 - Jesus is The Eternal Word
John 1:6-13 - John’s Witness Of The Word
John 1:14-18 - The Word Becomes Flesh
John 1:1-5 - Jesus is The Eternal Word
John 1:1-5 - Jesus is The Eternal Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
When was the beginning?
This is a cross reference to Genesis 1:1 which stated “In the beginning God created.” This goes back to the creation of space, time, and matter. So when space and time were created - the Word was already there… We will see that the Word was the one who created space, time, and all matter.
Therefore the beginning is the start of creation - i.e. space, time, and matter.
Who was the Word?
We are told in verse 17 that Jesus is The Word. In Revelation 19:13 He is called “The Word of God.” John would also write that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega which are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet (Rev 1:8)
This brings up the meaning of “Word.” In Greek the word is Logos. Lemke writes that Greek philosophers viewed Logos as the source which
There is an excellent article in The Lexham Bible Dictionary which explains Aristotle’s view on the term Logos.
Living according to reason (logos) was the goal of ethics. Nature exists in an ordered, rational manner, and living in harmony with this order led to the good life. Thus, Aristotle shares something of Heraclitus’[ her-uh-klahy-tuhs ] understanding of logos as a universal principle of order: Logos orders the world; it is the design that directs everything; it is the foundation for human wisdom. Logos is central to the quality of natural law.
Gamel, B. K. (2016). Logos, Greek Background. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
You see, the Greeks viewed Logos as wisdom, reason or rational thought that was behind all logical order in the word - clearly - to them logos was not a personal Being - but rather cold logical order.
On the other hand, the Jews view Logos as God's way of communicating with humans in both prophecy and in the creation of the world itself. From the Hebrew the word Dabar is used which means “word and deed.” Therefore, in the Jewish mind the Word or Logos was a word or message from God Himself.
So, how should Christians understand Jesus - the Word - The Logo?
Lemke explains how Logos - the Word should be understood in it’s Biblical context...
He writes
Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he [John] poured new meaning into the concept of Logos. In relation to God, Jesus as the Logos was not merely an angel or created being who was the agent of creation, nor another word from God or wisdom from God, but He was God Himself (John 1:1–4). In relation to humanity, Jesus the Logos was not the impersonal principle of Stoicism, but He was a personal Savior who took on human flesh in the incarnation (John 1:4–14). The Word’s becoming flesh and living among us (John 1:14) was in sharp contrast to the Greek ideas. By depicting Jesus as the Logos, John portrays Him as the preexistent Creator of the universe, with God, and identical to God. From this perspective of Jesus’ divinity and eternity, any view of Jesus as a mere prophet or teacher is impossible
Lemke, S. W. (2003). Logos. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1045). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Therefore - Jesus - The Word - Logos - was and is the eternal, personal, relational God. For the Greek text literally says, “And God was the Word.” Our understanding will deepen as we read on.
What does it mean that all things were created through Him?
Jesus - the Word - created all thing. Think about the implications to this?
Some say that Jesus was a created being - however, He made all things - for they were created through Him - clearly He did not create Himself. Gen 1:1 tells us that God created all things - and John 1:3 tells us that all things were created through Jesus - you can use logic and put together what that means.
What does it mean that nothing was made apart from Him?
Everything - time, space, matter comes from The Word - everything!
Walvoord writes,
Why is there something rather than nothing? That is a great question in philosophy. The Christian answer is God. He is eternal, and He is the Creator of all things. And the Word was the agent of Creation (cf. 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). All Creation was made by the Word in relation with the Father and the Spirit. John stressed the work of the Word. He came to reveal the Father (John 1:14, 18); and the work of revelation began in Creation for Creation reveals God
Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 271). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
What does it mean that in Him was life?
In the Logos is life itself! He is the one who gives both physical and Spiritual life. He is also Holy and His glory is a beacon of light which guides mankind in the ways of the Lord.
For more insite read what MacArthur write below.
John uses the word “life” about 36 times in his gospel, far more than any other NT book. It refers not only in a broad sense to physical and temporal life that the Son imparted to the created world through His involvement as the agent of creation (v. 3), but especially to spiritual and eternal life imparted as a gift through belief in Him (3:15; 17:3; Eph. 2:5). In Scripture “light” and “darkness” are very familiar symbols. Intellectually, “light” refers to biblical truth while “darkness” refers to error or falsehood (cf. Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23). Morally, “light” refers to holiness or purity (1 John 1:5) while “darkness” refers to sin or wrongdoing
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1573). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
Based on the last question - what does it mean that life was the light of men?
Jesus - the Word gave men light - the ability to walk in God’s truth and come out of the darkness (sin.) It’s also a reference to Genesis 1 in which Darkness covered the whole earth - and The Word made light. The Word brought physical light - and is about to bring Spiritual light as well.
What does it mean that the Light shines in the darkness?
Jesus was coming into a spiritually dark world which was covered in corruption and sin. His light would be a contrast to the darkness of sin and depravity
What does it mean that darkness did no overcome it?
All the forces of evil could not stop the Light of the world!
John 1:6-13 - John’s Witness Of The Word
John 1:6-13 - John’s Witness Of The Word
Who is John?
John the Baptist was Jesus’ older cousin. The prophet Malachi - who spoke the word of the Lord - said that a forerunner would come before the Messiah and prepare the way for Him. John was the prophet who would call out in the wilderness and say that Jesus was the Messiah.
A good quote on John the Baptist
I image to myself a man of calm, saintly look, with eyes that seemed to pierce the invisible, moving men not by his wild gesticulations, but by the deep solemnity of his spirit, the simple, fearless truth he spoke, and his appeal to the Messianic longings and hopes which then prevailed. Withdrawn from the luxurious world, with its enervating and selfish influences, he had lived to the age of thirty among the mountains west of the Dead Sea, preparing in solitude for the brief but great work of his life. He is, however, no hermit cut off from his fellow-men and taking no interest in their affairs, but a keen observer and discerner; and at the appointed hour he steps suddenly forward, crying to the nation, “Repent,” “Behold the Lamb of God!” (J. Culross, D.D.)
Exell, J. S. (n.d.). The Biblical Illustrator: St. John (Vol. 1, p. 24). London: James Nisbet & Co.What does it mean that he (John) testified about the light?
All prophets had a ministry. John’s ministry was straightforward - to testify about Jesus, the light of the world who was coming to take away the sin of the world.
The English Lawyer and theologian Samuel Richard Bosanquet wrote,
A witness is wanted in the period of ignorance and darkness. Such a witness is the moon, which reflects a borrowed portion of light from the sun, and so assures us of him; but when the sun itself arises, himself becomes invisible, and as not existing.
Exell, J. S. (n.d.). The Biblical Illustrator: St. John (Vol. 1, p. 24). London: James Nisbet & Co.How does the true light give light to everyone?
What does it mean that the world did not recognize him?
The Nation of Israel - His chosen people - rejected Him as their God - they reject His light - they rejected Him as their Messiah - and they put their God to death!
Who was “His own” people?
The Nation of Israel
Zuck writes,
In some ways this is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. The Logos went to His own home but He had no welcome. Jesus went to His own people, the nation Israel, but they as a whole rejected Him. In rejecting Him, they refused to accept Him as the Revelation sent by the Father and refused to obey His commands. Isaiah long before had prophesied of this Jewish national unbelief: “Who has believed our message?” (Isa. 53:1)
Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 272). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.Who recieved the Word?
How can the Word give people the right to be children of God?
This speaks of those who believed Jesus and placed their faith in Him!
What does it mean they were born of God?
They were born again - saved! John 3:6–8
John 1:14-18 - The Word Becomes Flesh
John 1:14-18 - The Word Becomes Flesh
What does it mean that the Word became flesh?
It means that The Word took on human flesh and became human.
Wiersbe writes,
He was not a phantom or a spirit when He ministered on earth, nor was His body a mere illusion. John and the other disciples each had a personal experience that convinced them of the reality of the body of Jesus (1 John 1:1–2). Even though John’s emphasis is the deity of Christ, he makes it clear that the Son of God came in the flesh and was subject to the sinless infirmities of human nature. In his Gospel, John points out that Jesus was weary (John 4:6) and thirsty (John 4:7). He groaned within (John 11:33) and openly wept (John 11:35). On the cross, He thirsted (John 19:28), died (John 19:30), and bled (John 19:34). After His resurrection, He proved to Thomas and the other disciples that He still had a real body (John 20:24–29), howbeit, a glorified body.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 285). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.How did we observe His glory?
What does Son of the Father mean?
It helps explains the trinity - The Son’s relationship to the Father.
What does it mean that He was filled with grace and truth?
This is a reference to He dwelt among us. It literally means He tabernacled or pitched His tent among men. In the same way that His glory filled the temple in the OT - John and others viewed the glory of Jesus through His ministry. As they viewed His ministry they saw how Jesus modeled grace and truth.
How did the Word exist before John?
John’s human flesh was older than Jesus. However, John understood that Jesus was the Word - the eternal Son of God thus was timeless.
How did we all receive grace?
All of mankind recieved grace when God became man. Titus 2:11 says that God’s grace has appeared to all men! Mankind has never received a a greater gift of grace than Jesus’ earthly ministry.
What does it mean that grace and truth came from Jesus (does that mean it did not come from the Law?)
MacArthur writes,
The law, given by Moses, was not a display of God’s grace but God’s demand for holiness. God designed the law as a means to demonstrate the unrighteousness of man in order to show the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:19, 20; Gal. 3:10–14, 21–26). Furthermore, the law revealed only a part of truth and was preparatory in nature. The reality or full truth toward which the law pointed came through the person of Jesus Christ.
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1575). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.What does it mean that no one has ever seen God?
Gangel adds
Moses provided a standard of righteousness—that no one could meet. Then the Prophet whom Moses promised (1:25) came, and he brought a standard of righteousness centered in grace and truth. Like John the Baptist and John the apostle, Moses was a servant. But Jesus is the Son. This verse drives the dividing spike between the old and new covenants, introducing a new way of God’s dealing with humankind.
Gangel, K. O. (2000). John (Vol. 4, p. 14). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.How did the Son reveal the Father?
What does it mean that no one has ever seen God?
God the Father is Spirit - thus He cannot be seen with the human eyes. He has revealed Himself in dreams and visions, but never in His full glory.
How did the Son reveal the Father?
Jesus who is God has been revealed to mankind - in seeing Jesus we literally see God!
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