The Prologue Considered (1:1-18)

John 1:1-14 (2cd Sunday After Christmas)

Reading: Mat 16:13-19

Songs:

INTRODUCTION

B. At one point in his ministry, Jesus asked his disciples whom people in general, thought he was and than, who the disciples personally thought he was. Peter declared representatively for them all, that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God. The gospel of John presented Jesus as not simply the one who revealed God but as God, incarnate. It presented Jesus as the son of God and son of Man; fully divine and fully human. The Gospel of John was written to create, and stabilize faith in Jesus. Even so there are those who claim to read, even study the Bible but who do not believe the claims written about Jesus in God’s word. One would have to physically change the words of the Bible in translating, to come up with anything else other then Jesus being God. In the Book of John, John testified as to the deity of Jesus, offering a first hand account as evidence on which others could build their faith.

I. THE WORD BEFORE CREATION (1:1-8).

HIS IDENTITY - The Eternal Word

A. In the beginning was the Word, and... the Word was God ... (1:1-2).

KJV

1 In <1722> the beginning <746> was <2258> (5713) the Word <3056>, and <2532> the Word <3056> was <2258> (5713) with <4314> God <2316>, and <2532> the Word <3056> was <2258> (5713) God <2316>.

2 The same <3778> was <2258> (5713) in <1722> the beginning <746> with <4314> God <2316>.

Textus Receptus

1 en <1722> {PREP} arch <746> {N-DSF} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} o <3588> {T-NSM} logov <3056> {N-NSM} kai <2532> {CONJ} o <3588> {T-NSM} logov <3056> {N-NSM} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} prov <4314> {PREP} ton <3588> {T-ASM} yeon <2316> {N-ASM} kai <2532> {CONJ} yeov <2316> {N-NSM} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} o <3588> {T-NSM} logov <3056> {N-NSM}

2 outov <3778> {D-NSM} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} en <1722> {PREP} arch <746> {N-DSF} prov <4314> {PREP} ton <3588> {T-ASM} yeon <2316> {N-ASM}

1. John’s conclusion to writing was that the Word was Jesus, and made three assertion regarding him.

2. John’s first assertion was that the Word is eternal with God (v 1a).

a. John chose his words carefully and with “in (not from) the beginning” he referred back to Genesis 1:1.

b. the beginning, 746 arch ARCHE ar-khay’ from 756; TDNT-1:479,81; n f AV-beginning 40, principality 8, corner 2, first 2, misc 6; 58 1) beginning, origin 2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader 3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause 4) the extremity of a thing 4a) of the corners of a sail 5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy 5a) of angels and demons

(1) Using the phrase "en arche" (in the beginning) John was pointing to when things originally began.

(2) When they did, the Word was already there.

(3) He was writing, "In the sphere of the creation or at the origin of all things, there already was the Word.”

c. The Word was not a part of the creation but existing before anything was created that was created. He is eternal (Col 1:17).

d. This is exactly what Jesus claimed (Joh 8:58; 17:5; see also Ps 90:2; Pro 8:23; Joh 6:62; 3:13; 6:46; 8:14; 16:28; Php.2:6-8; cp. 2Co 8:9).

3. John' second assertion was that the Word had a intimate relationship with God.

a. with, 4314 prov PROS pros a strengthened form of 4253; TDNT-6:720,942; prep AV-unto 340, to 203, with 43, for 25, against 24, among 20, at 11, not tr 6, misc 53, vr to 1; 726 1) to the advantage of 2) at, near, by 3) to, towards, with, with regard to

b. Before creation, God the Father and the Word had a face to face relationship.

c. This certainly refutes the oneness, “Jesus Only “ doctrine in which it is said that the Father, Jesus and the Spirit are one and the same person just manifested differently on various occasions.

4. John’s third assertion was that the Word is identical in essence with God (1:1c; Isa 9:6;p 1Co 8:6; Col 1:15-16; 2:9).

a. Literally, John wrote “kai <2532> {CONJ} yeov <2316> {N-NSM} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} o <3588> {T-NSM} logov <3056> {N-NSM}” - “and God was the Word.”

(1) “was” is in the imperfect tense meaning “was always and continues to be”

b. The emphasis is on the word “God” is not “was” therefore, declaring the Word is deity or God (cp. Isa 9:6)!

c. The Word was not “a god” (Jehovah’s Witnesses) but God in all of his nature and being (cf. Joh 14:9; Rom 9:5; Heb 1:1-3; Col 1:15; 2:9; 1Ti 3:16; 6:15-16; also Rev.19:16).

d. God has said before him, there were no other god’s formed , nor after (Deu 32:39; Isa 43:10b), therefore, God would have been in error, even if Jesus was only a created god.

e. In comparing the Old Testament passages which use the word God or Lord, with their New Testament counterparts, it becomes clear, along with the Father and the Spirit, Jesus is God.

Exo 3:14f Joh 8:58 Jehovah is the great “I Am” - “EGO EIMI” - Septuagint; Jesus is the great “I Am” - the EGO EIMI”

Exo 20:10 Mar 2:28 Jehovah’s Sabbath, Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

Exo 31:13 1Co 1:20 Jehovah sanctifies; Christ sanctifies

Deu 10:17 Rev 17:14 Jehovah is Lord of Lords, so is Jesus

Deu 32:3f 1Co 10:4 Jehovah is the only Rock (Isa 44:8; Christ was that Rock

1Ki 8:39 Luk 4:22; only Jehovah knows men’s hearts, Christ knows all men’s

Joh 2:25 hearts

Neh 9:6f Heb 1:6 the angels worship Jehovah, also Christ

Psa 24:10; 1Co 2:8 Jehovah is the King; God and Lord of glory; Christ is the

29:3 Lord of glory

Psa 89:8f Mat 8:23ff Jehovah alone stills the sea, Jesus stilled the sea

Isa 8:12f 1Pe 3:14f don’t fear men, sanctify Jehovah or Christ in your heart

Isa 40:3 Mat 3:3 one was to prepare the way for Jehovah (Mal 3:1), John prepared the way for Christ

Isa 42:8 Joh 17;5; 1:14Jehovah did not give his glory to another; Christ possessed the glory of God (1Co 2:8)

Isa 43:11, 25; Mar 2:7 Jehovah is the only is the only savior from sins, Jesus is

45:21 Ti 2:13 the savior from sins

Isa 44:6 Rev 1:17 The Lord and Christ are the “first and the last.”

Isa 44:24 Joh 1:1f Jehovah is the creator; Christ was the creator of all things

Isa 60:1f Joh 1:4f, 14 Jehovah’s glory is to sine as a light to nations; Jesus’ glory

8:12 is a light of the world

Jer 23:5f 1Co 1:30; the name for the Messiah was to be “Jehovah our Right-

2Co 5:21 eousness”; Jesus is the messiah and our righteousness

Eze 34:11, 15 Joh 10:11; Jehovah to be our shepherd; Jesus is the good shepherd

(34:23) Heb 13:20; (the shepherd to come was to be the anti-type of King

1Pe 5:4 David and Jesus was the anti-type and shepherd (Act 2:29-34)

Joe 2:32 Act 2:21, 36; those who would call on the name of Jehovah would be

4:12; 22:16 saved; the same is true of Jesus

Mic 4:7; Heb 1:8; 10: Jehovah to rule as king in Zion, Jesus rules as king in Zion

Zec 14:9 12f; 12:22; - the church

Eph 1:21f

Hab 1:12; Act 2:27ff Jehovah is the Holy One; Jesus is the Holy One

1Sam 2:2

Zec 12:10 Joh 19:37 Jehovah to be pierced (note Zec 12:1-9); Jesus was pierced

Zec 13:7 Mat 26:31; Jehovah

Php 2:6

f. In the Old Testament, we have the Father speaking to the son and the words “Jehovah” and Lord” used (Psa 110:1) yet in a New Testament quote of that passage, only Lord is used (Mat 22:44).

(1) The Jehovah’s Witnesses translate the same Greek word, Lord (KURIOS) as “Lord” when referring to Christ and as “Jehovah” when referring to Father (cf. Mat 4:4, 7; 7:2ff; 22:44; etc.).

(2) The word KURIOS - “Lord” the same word as used in scripture for “Jehovah” in the Old Testament.

(3) In fact, the word “Jehovah” is not Greek and is not found in the ancient New Testament manuscripts.

(4) The writers of the New Testament used “Lord” to refer to all three persons in the Godhead:

(a) Father (Mat 11:25)

(b) Holy Spirit (2Co 3:17f)

g. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are inconsistent in the their insertion of the article “the” which does not exit in the ancient manuscripts.

(1) The exact same construction as John 1:1-2 is found elsewhere but they didn’t think it necessary to add an article there (Joh 1:18, 6, 12; cp. Joh 10:30-33; 2Th 2:4).

(2)

His Initiative: The Creative Word

B. ... without him was not any thing made that was made ... In him was life ... (1:3-5).

3 All things <3956> were made <1096> (5633) by <1223> him <846>; and <2532> without <5565> him <846> was <1096> <0> not <3761> any thing <1520> made <1096> (5633) that <3739> was made <1096> (5754).

4 In <1722> him <846> was <2258> (5713) life <2222>; and <2532> the life <2222> was <2258> (5713) the light <5457> of men <444>.

5 And <2532> the light <5457> shineth <5316> (5719) in <1722> darkness <4653>; and <2532> the darkness <4653> comprehended <2638> (5627) it <846> not <3756>. {comprehended: or, did not admit, or, receive}

3 panta <3956> {A-NPN} di <1223> {PREP} autou <846> {P-GSM} egeneto <1096> (5633) {V-2ADI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} cwriv <5565> {ADV} autou <846> {P-GSM} egeneto <1096> (5633) {V-2ADI-3S} oude <3761> {ADV} en <1520> {A-NSN} o <3739> {R-NSN} gegonen <1096> (5754) {V-2RAI-3S}

4 en <1722> {PREP} autw <846> {P-DSM} zwh <2222> {N-NSF} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} h <3588> {T-NSF} zwh <2222> {N-NSF} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} to <3588> {T-NSN} fwv <5457> {N-NSN} twn <3588> {T-GPM} anyrwpwn <444> {N-GPM}

5 kai <2532> {CONJ} to <3588> {T-NSN} fwv <5457> {N-NSN} en <1722> {PREP} th <3588> {T-DSF} skotia <4653> {N-DSF} fainei <5316> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} h <3588> {T-NSF} skotia <4653> {N-NSF} auto <846> {P-ASN} ou <3756> {PRT-N} katelaben <2638> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S}

1. The Word was the creator all things that were created (1:10; Gen 1:26; 1Co 8:6; Heb. 1:1-3; Col 1:12-17).

a. made, 1096 ginomai GINOMAI ghin’-om-ahee a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; TDNT-1:681,117; v AV-be 255, come to pass 82, be made 69, be done 63, come 52, become 47, God forbid + 3361 15, arise 13, have 5, be fulfilled 3, be married to 3, be preferred 3, not tr 14, misc 4, vr done 2; 678 1) to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being 2) to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen 2a) of events 3) to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage 3a) of men appearing in public 4) to be made, finished 4a) of miracles, to be performed, wrought 5) to become, be made

5633 Tense-Second Aorist See 5780

Voice-Middle Deponent See 5788

Mood -Indicative See 5791

Count-260

b. The Word created all that came into existence or began to be.

c. Either the Word always was - that is eternal, since he created all that came into being, he must have created himself.

d. As ridiculous as creating himself is, the evolutionists probably would have difficulty with the concept.

2. It was the word who gave creation life and light.

a. Physical life, "and breathed into it the breath of life".

b. Spiritual life - He gave creation light in a morally darkened world through revelation.

(1) The spiritual chaos and spiritual darkness of our world were impenetrable except by God's initiative?

(a) The darkness of sin, death, and pessimism are everywhere in human history through oppression and slavery, war and carnage, slaughter and genocide.

(b) It is everywhere in our personal lives through suffering, unhappiness, confusion, gloom.

(d) Paul wrote that Jesus, "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim.1:10).

(e) Paul also pointed, as John, Jesus’ eternal nature by pointing out that in Christ Jesus thoughts for our redemption were initiated "before the ages began" (2Ti1:9).

(2) That life quickens people in response to that light. Its life from the dead (Eph 2:1; 1Co 15).

(3) (Gen.1:3, 6, 11; Ps.33:6; 107:20; 147:15; Is.55:11)

C. There was a man sent from God ... He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light ...(1:6-8)

6 There was <1096> (5633) a man <444> sent <649> (5772) from <3844> God <2316>, whose <846> name <3686> was John <2491>.

7 The same <3778> came <2064> (5627) for <1519> a witness <3141>, to <2443> bear witness <3140> (5661) of <4012> the Light <5457>, that <2443> all <3956> men through <1223> him <846> might believe <4100> (5661).

8 He was <2258> (5713) not <3756> that <1565> Light <5457>, but <235> was sent to <2443> bear witness <3140> (5661) of <4012> that Light <5457>.

6 egeneto <1096> (5633) {V-2ADI-3S} anyrwpov <444> {N-NSM} apestalmenov <649> (5772) {V-RPP-NSM} para <3844> {PREP} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} onoma <3686> {N-NSN} autw <846> {P-DSM} iwannhv <2491> {N-NSM}

7 outov <3778> {D-NSM} hlyen <2064> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S} eiv <1519> {PREP} marturian <3141> {N-ASF} ina <2443> {CONJ} marturhsh <3140> (5661) {V-AAS-3S} peri <4012> {PREP} tou <3588> {T-GSN} fwtov <5457> {N-GSN} ina <2443> {CONJ} pantev <3956> {A-NPM} pisteuswsin <4100> (5661) {V-AAS-3P} di <1223> {PREP} autou <846> {P-GSM}

8 ouk <3756> {PRT-N} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} ekeinov <1565> {D-NSM} to <3588> {T-NSN} fwv <5457> {N-NSN} all <235> {CONJ} ina <2443> {CONJ} marturhsh <3140> (5661) {V-AAS-3S} peri <4012> {PREP} tou <3588> {T-GSN} fwtov <5457> {N-GSN}

1. This verse makes a contrast between created men, with the person of John the Baptist ( Isa 40:1-5; Luk 3:1-6) as compared to the eternal Word.

2. There were people such as John the Baptist who foretold God's intention. They were to testify in advance and then, and upon his arrival Jesus, as witnesses, to identify him. However, John, carefully explained that they were "not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."

3. John the Baptist was sent by God to testify to the coming Word - “that Light.”

Transition:

II. THE WORD AFTER CREATION (1:9-14).

His Involvement

A. ... But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God ... (1:9-13)

9 That was <2258> (5713) the true <228> Light <5457>, which <3739> lighteth <5461> (5719) every man <3956> <444> that cometh <2064> (5740) into <1519> the world <2889>.

10 He was <2258> (5713) in <1722> the world <2889>, and <2532> the world <2889> was made <1096> (5633) by <1223> him <846>, and <2532> the world <2889> knew <1097> (5627) him <846> not <3756>.

11 He came <2064> (5627) unto <1519> his own <2398>, and <2532> his own <2398> received <3880> (5627) him <846> not <3756>.

12 But <1161> as many as <3745> received <2983> (5627) him <846>, to them <846> gave he <1325> (5656) power <1849> to become <1096> (5635) the sons <5043> of God <2316>, even to them that believe <4100> (5723) on <1519> his <846> name <3686>: {power: or, the right, or, privilege}

13 Which <3739> were born <1080> (5681), not <3756> of <1537> blood <129>, nor <3761> of <1537> the will <2307> of the flesh <4561>, nor <3761> of <1537> the will <2307> of man <435>, but <235> of <1537> God <2316>.

9 hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} to <3588> {T-NSN} fwv <5457> {N-NSN} to <3588> {T-NSN} alhyinon <228> {A-NSN} o <3739> {R-NSN} fwtizei <5461> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} panta <3956> {A-ASM} anyrwpon <444> {N-ASM} ercomenon <2064> (5740) {V-PNP-ASM} eiv <1519> {PREP} ton <3588> {T-ASM} kosmon <2889> {N-ASM}

10 en <1722> {PREP} tw <3588> {T-DSM} kosmw <2889> {N-DSM} hn <2258> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} o <3588> {T-NSM} kosmov <2889> {N-NSM} di <1223> {PREP} autou <846> {P-GSM} egeneto <1096> (5633) {V-2ADI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} o <3588> {T-NSM} kosmov <2889> {N-NSM} auton <846> {P-ASM} ouk <3756> {PRT-N} egnw <1097> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S}

11 eiv <1519> {PREP} ta <3588> {T-APN} idia <2398> {A-APN} hlyen <2064> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} oi <3588> {T-NPM} idioi <2398> {A-NPM} auton <846> {P-ASM} ou <3756> {PRT-N} parelabon <3880> (5627) {V-2AAI-3P}

12 osoi <3745> {K-NPM} de <1161> {CONJ} elabon <2983> (5627) {V-2AAI-3P} auton <846> {P-ASM} edwken <1325> (5656) {V-AAI-3S} autoiv <846> {P-DPM} exousian <1849> {N-ASF} tekna <5043> {N-NPN} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} genesyai <1096> (5635) {V-2ADN} toiv <3588> {T-DPM} pisteuousin <4100> (5723) {V-PAP-DPM} eiv <1519> {PREP} to <3588> {T-ASN} onoma <3686> {N-ASN} autou <846> {P-GSM}

13 oi <3739> {R-NPM} ouk <3756> {PRT-N} ex <1537> {PREP} aimatwn <129> {N-GPN} oude <3761> {ADV} ek <1537> {PREP} yelhmatov <2307> {N-GSN} sarkov <4561> {N-GSF} oude <3761> {ADV} ek <1537> {PREP} yelhmatov <2307> {N-GSN} androv <435> {N-GSM} all <235> {CONJ} ek <1537> {PREP} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} egennhyhsan <1080> (5681) {V-API-3P}

1. "as many as received him"

a. Some people did receive the Word - Jesus, when he came, and candle by candle he brought light to the fallen:

(1) Nicodemus - told about obedience (Joh 3).

(2) The Samaritan woman - shown the way (Joh 4:)

(3) The adulterous woman - forgiven (Joh 8).

(4) The blind man - all he knew was he was blind and then could see (Joh 9).

b. What a tragedy it was for the Jews to reject Jesus.

(1) For thousands of years God had nurtured and discipline them in preparation for the appearing and reception of the messiah.

(2) However, with their rejection of him - th e word, it became clear that God’s plan of salvation was not just to the Jews but to all people that make a decision to receive him.

c. This “receiving” is an answer to Calvinism in its extreme form.

d. received, 2983 lambanw LAMBANO lam-ban’-o a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; TDNT-4:5,495; v AV-receive 133, take 106, have 3, catch 3, not tr 1, misc 17; 263 1) to take 1a) to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it 1a1) to take up a thing to be carried 1a2) to take upon one’s self 1b) to take in order to carry away 1b1) without the notion of violence, i, e to remove, take away 1c) to take what is one’s own, to take to one’s self, to make one’s own 1c1) to claim, procure, for one’s self 1c1a) to associate with one’s self as companion, attendant 1c2) of that which when taken is not let go, to seize, to lay hold of, apprehend 1c3) to take by craft (our catch, used of hunters, fisherman, etc.), to circumvent one by fraud 1c4) to take to one’s self, lay hold upon, take possession of, i.e. to appropriate to one’s self 1c5) catch at, reach after, strive to obtain 1c6) to take a thing due, to collect, gather (tribute) 1d) to take 1d1) to admit, receive 1d2) to receive what is offered 1d3) not to refuse or reject 1d4) to receive a person, give him access to one’s self, 1d41) to regard any one’s power, rank, external circumstances, and on that account to do some injustice or neglect something 1e) to take, to choose, select 1f) to take beginning, to prove anything, to make a trial of, to experience 2) to receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back

For Synonyms see entry 5877

5627 Tense-Second Aorist See 5780

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood -Indicative See 5791

Count-2138 plus 1 in a variant reading in a footnote

(1) It is in the aorist active imperative

(2) aorist tense is at a point of time

(3) active voice means that the person must do the act of receiving

(4) imperative mood makes it a command

e. To whom does "receive" refer?

(1) "to them that believe on his name"

(2) Does this then prove that in believing alone, we receive or take upon ourselves the benefits of Jesus' sacrifice?

(3) No, it mean those who believe he gave "power to become the sons of God.”

(4) There is a significant difference between having the power to receive something and actually receiving that thing.

(a) In Missouri, when a person turns sixteen, the state grants them the "power to become" licensed automobile drivers.

(b) Just because at the age of sixteen, a person has that power, the privilege of driving, is not automatically conferred upon that person.

(d) The same idea is true of the power God gives us through believing, to become the sons of God.

(5) How does one receive the benefits of that power (cp. Rom 1:16; Mat 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10; Gal 3:26-27)?

(6) Believe alone does not give us the benefits but obeying or following through with what the faith commands we do, does.

The Testimony Of The Witnesses

B. ... the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory ... (1:14; 1Jo 1:1-10).

14 And <2532> the Word <3056> was made <1096> (5633) flesh <4561>, and <2532> dwelt <4637> (5656) among <1722> us <2254>, (and <2532> we beheld <2300> (5662) his <846> glory <1391>, the glory <1391> as <5613> of the only begotten <3439> of <3844> the Father <3962>,) full <4134> of grace <5485> and <2532> truth <225>.

14 kai <2532> {CONJ} o <3588> {T-NSM} logov <3056> {N-NSM} sarx <4561> {N-NSF} egeneto <1096> (5633) {V-2ADI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} eskhnwsen <4637> (5656) {V-AAI-3S} en <1722> {PREP} hmin <2254> {P-1DP} kai <2532> {CONJ} eyeasameya <2300> (5662) {V-ADI-1P} thn <3588> {T-ASF} doxan <1391> {N-ASF} autou <846> {P-GSM} doxan <1391> {N-ASF} wv <5613> {ADV} monogenouv <3439> {A-GSM} para <3844> {PREP} patrov <3962> {N-GSM} plhrhv <4134> {A-NSF} caritov <5485> {N-GSF} kai <2532> {CONJ} alhyeiav <225> {N-GSF}

1. Many heresies in the early church arose out of conflict in this area. The Lord Jesus Christ as God became true humanity at the point of the incarnation. John uses the word "sarx" which means flesh or body. He was truly man he was not just clothed as with a coat with his humanity. Others say that at His baptism when the Holy Spirit as a dove alighted on the Lord Jesus Christ it was the Christ coming on the Jesus and when He was crying out on the cross "My God my God why has thou forsaken me?" He was saying "My deity, my deity why have you gone?". There are cults today that believe that. Other heretics in the first century stated that when He was born He was truly God but never truly man and that Mary was the mother of God. This leads to the Roman Catholic dogma of Mary the Mother of God. Cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses have changed this verse. The Creator became man with all the weaknesses of man but without a sinful nature. Hebrew 4:15.

2. Who was and is the Word?