I. Video. Sweet Beulah Land [Live]. Dec 13, 2012. Gaither Music TV. Squire Parsons. This video was recorded in 1993. A number of the singers that are seen in the video have gone on to be with the Lord.
II. Preview. This article will address key factors of the biblical text in which we will be studying. The opening video presents a song that addresses the hope of those who know Christ as their Lord and Savior, with that expectant hope of not being confined to a grave, but of a home going and spending eternity with Christ (2 Cor 5:8, 15:50-54). In this article, we will identify key facts of scripture which show that only Christ could have been the author of all aspects of creation, therefore, Christ is God (John 1:1-2 from previous article included). We will study those verses by commentary. We will also study key verses via Greek Lexicon. An analysis of our conclusions will consider the love of God that escapes no one. We will close this article with links to Life News.
III. Scriptures. John 1:3-9 – New American Standard Bible 26 A.D.
A. John 1:3-5 – The Preincarnate Work Of Christ.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
B. John 1:6-8 – The Witness John the Baptist.
6 A man came, one sent from God, and his 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. (My comment: John The Baptist was not the writer of the Book of John; the Apostle John was the writer.)
C. John 1:9 – The Light Of The World.
9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.
IV. Commentary. Ryrie Study Bible (RSB). MacArthur Study Bible (MSB).
A. 1:3. “All things came into being through Him.” Christ was active in the work of creation of God (Col 1:16). (RSB)
B. 1:3. All things were made through Him. Jesus Christ was God the Father’s agent involved in creating everything in the universe (Col. 1:16, 17; Heb. 1:2). (MSB)
C. 1:4-5. “life … Light.” These two distinctive words especially associated with John (8:12; 9:5; 11:25; 14:6). “Light” in John implies revelation that discloses the “life” that is in Christ and brings into judgment those who refuse it (3:19). “Life” denotes salvation and deliverance, based on Christ’s atonement. “the darkness did not comprehend it.” Better, the darkness did not overcome the light. (RSB) (My note. Grasp may be used for comprehend.”) (RSB)
D. 1:4-5 life . . . light . . . darkness. John introduces the reader to contrastive themes that occur throughout the gospel. “Life” and “light” are qualities of the Word that are shared not only among the Godhead (5:26) but also by those who respond to the gospel message regarding Jesus Christ (8:12; 9:5; 10:28; 11:25; 14:6). 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 (3:19; 12:35, 46; Rom. 13:11–14; 1 Thess. 5:4–7; 1 John 1:6; 2:8–11). “Darkness” has special significance in relationship to Satan (and his demonic cohorts) who rules the present spiritually dark world (1 John 5:19) as the “prince of the power of the air” promoting spiritual darkness and rebellion against God (Eph. 2:2). John uses the term “darkness” 14 times (8 in the gospel and 6 in 1 John) out of its 17 occurrences in the NT, making it almost an exclusive Johannine word. In John, “light” and “life” have their special significance in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word (v. 9; 9:5; 1 John 1:5–7; 5:12, 20).
E. 1:5. comprehend. The better meaning of this term in context is “overcome.” Darkness is not able to overcome or conquer the light. Just as a single candle can overcome a room filled with darkness, so also the powers of darkness are overcome by the person and work of the Son through His death on the cross (cf. 19:11a). (MSB)
F. 1:6. “John (the Baptizer).” His role, made clear in verse 8, was simply as a witness to the Light. (RSB)
G. 1:6. The name “John” always refers to John the Baptist in this Gospel, never to the apostle John. (MSB)
H. 1:6. sent from God. As forerunner to Jesus, John was to bear witness to Him as the Messiah and Son of God. With John’s ministry, the “400 silent years” between the end of the OT and the beginning of the NT period, during which God had given no revelation, ended. John. The name “John” always refers to John the Baptist in this Gospel, never to the apostle John. The writer of this gospel calls him merely “John” without using the phrase “the Baptist,” unlike the other Gospels which use the additional description to identify him (Matt. 3:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 7:20). Moreover, John the apostle (or, son of Zebedee) never identified himself directly by name in the gospel even though he was one of the 3 most intimate associates of Jesus (Matt. 17:1). Such silence argues strongly that John the apostle authored the gospel and that his readers knew full well that he composed the gospel that bears his name. For more on John the Baptist, cf. Matt. 3:1–6; Mark 1:2–6; Luke 1:5–25, 57–80. (MSB)
I. 1:7. witness . . . bear witness. The terms “witness” or “bear witness” receive special attention in this gospel, reflecting the courtroom language of the OT where the truth of a matter was to be established on the basis of multiple witnesses (8:17, 18; cf. Deut. 17:6; 19:15). Not only did John the Baptist witness regarding Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (vv. 19–34; 3:27–30; 5:35), but there were other witnesses: 1) the Samaritan woman (4:29); 2) the works of Jesus (10:25); 3) the Father (5:32–37); 4) the OT (5:39, 40); 5) the crowd (12:17); and 6) the Holy Spirit (15:26, 27). that all through him might believe. “Him” refers not to Christ but to John as the agent who witnessed to Christ. The purpose of his testimony was to produce faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. (MSB)
J.1:8. He was not that Light. While John the Baptist was the agent of belief, Jesus Christ is the object of belief. Although John’s person and ministry were vitally important (Matt. 11:11), he was merely the forerunner who announced the coming of the Messiah. Many years after John’s ministry and death, some still failed to understand John’s subordinate role to Jesus (Acts 19:1–3). (MSB)
K. 1:9. “enlightens every man.” Not that every man is redeemed automatically, for redemption comes through faith in the Savior (1:12). But, this light is available to all men. (RSB)
L. 1:9. “the true Light gives light to every man.” (MSB).
M. 1:9. the true Light . . . coming into the world. The alternate rendering in the translators’ note is the preferred translation. The words “coming into the world” would be better grammatically if attached to “light” rather than “every man” and thus translated “the true Light coming into the world gives light to every man.” This highlights the incarnation of Jesus Christ (v. 14; 3:16). which gives light to every man. Through God’s sovereign power, every man has enough light to be responsible. God has planted His knowledge in man through general revelation in creation and conscience. The result of general revelation, however, does not produce salvation but either leads to the complete light of Jesus Christ or produces condemnation in those who reject such “light” (see notes on Rom. 1:19, 20; 2:12–16). The coming of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment and embodiment of the light that God had placed inside the heart of man. the world. The basic sense of this Gr. word meaning “an ornament” is illustrated by the word “cosmetic” (1 Pet. 3:3). While the NT uses it a total of 185 times, John had a particular fondness for this term, using it 78 times in his gospel, 24 times in 1-3 John and 3 times in Revelation. John gives it several shades of meaning: 1) the physical created universe (v. 9; cf. v. 3; 21:24, 25); 2) humanity in general (3:16; 6:33, 51; 12:19); and 3) the invisible spiritual system of evil dominated by Satan and all that it offers in opposition to God, His Word, and His people (3:19; 4:42; 7:7; 14:17, 22, 27, 30; 15:18, 19; 16:8, 20, 33; 17:6, 9, 14; cf. 1 Cor. 1:21; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 5:19). The latter concept is the significant new use that the term acquires in the NT and that predominates in John. Thus, in the majority of times that John uses the word, it has decidedly negative overtones. (MSB)
V. NASB Greek Lexicon. Strong’s Concordance And Numbers. HELPS Word-Studies.
A. 1:3. “All things.” pas.3956. https://biblehub.com/greek/3956.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
pas: all, every
Definition: all, every
Usage: all, every. all, the whole, every kind of.
2. HELPS Word-studies
3956 pás – each, every; each “part(s) of a totality” (L & N, 1, 59.24).
3956 /pás (“each, every”) means “all” in the sense of “each (every) part that applies.” The emphasis of the total picture then is on “one piece at a time.” 365 (ananeóō) then focuses on the part(s) making up the whole – viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
[When 3956 (pás) modifies a word with the definite article it has “extensive-intensive” force – and is straightforward intensive when the Greek definite article is lacking.]
B. 1:3. “came into being.” 1096. ginomai. https://biblehub.com/greek/1096.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
ginomai: to come into being, to happen, to become
Definition: to come into being, to happen, to become
Usage: I come into being, am born, become, come about, happen.
2. HELPS Word-studies
1096 gínomai – properly, to emerge, become, transitioning from one point (realm, condition) to another. 1096 (gínomai) fundamentally means “become” (becoming, became) so it is not an exact equivalent to the ordinary equative verb “to be” (is, was, will be) as with 1510 /eimí (1511 /eínai, 2258 /ēn).
1096 (ginomai) means “to become, and signifies a change of condition, state or place” (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 109).
M. Vincent, “1096 (gínomai) means to come into being/manifestation implying motion, movement, or growth” (at 2 Pet 1:4). Thus it is used for God’s actions as emerging from eternity and becoming (showing themselves) in time (physical space).
C. 1:3. “through.” 1223. dia. https://biblehub.com/greek/1223.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
dia: through, on account of, because of
Definition: through, on account of, because of
Usage: (a) gen: through, throughout, by the instrumentality of, (b) acc: through, on account of, by reason of, for the sake of, because of.
2. HELPS Word-studies
1223 diá (a preposition) – properly, across (to the other side), back-and-forth to go all the way through, “successfully across” (“thoroughly”). 1223 (diá) is also commonly used as a prefix and lend the same idea (“thoroughly,” literally, “successfully” across to the other side).
[1223 (diá) is a root of the English term diameter (“across to the other side, through”). Before a vowel, dia is simply written di̓.]
D. 1:3. “Him, and apart.” 5565. chóris. https://biblehub.com/greek/5565.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
chóris: separately, separate from
Definition: separately, separate from
Usage: apart from, separately from; without.
2. HELPS Word-studies
5565 xōrís (a preposition, also used as an adverb which is probably derived from 5561 /xṓra, “an open or detached space”) – properly, apart from, separated (“without”); (figuratively) detached, rendering something invalid or valid.
E. 1:3. “from Him nothing.” 3761. oude . https://biblehub.com/greek/3761.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
oude: and not, neither
Definition: and not, neither
Usage: neither, nor, not even, and not.
2. HELPS Word-studies
3761 oudé (from 3756 /ou, “not” and 1161 /dé, “moreover”) – properly, moreover not, neither indeed, not even, nor even.
F. 1:3. “came into being that has come into being.” 1096. ginomai. https://biblehub.com/greek/1096.htm
See B. 1.3.
G. 1:4. “In Him was life, and the life.” 2222. zóé. https://biblehub.com/greek/2222.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
zóé: life
Definition: life
Usage: life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence.
2. HELPS Word-studies
2222 zōḗ – life (physical and spiritual). All life (2222 /zōḗ), throughout the universe, is derived – i.e. it always (only) comes from and is sustained by God’s self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life.
H. 1:4. “was the Light.” 5457. phós. https://biblehub.com/greek/5457.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
phós: light
Definition: light
Usage: light, a source of light, radiance.
2. HELPS Word-studies
5457 phṓs (a neuter noun) – properly, light (especially in terms of its results, what it manifests); in the NT, the manifestation of God’s self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ.
I. 1:4. “of men.” 444. anthrópos. https://biblehub.com/greek/444.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
anthrópos: a man, human, mankind
Definition: a man, human, mankind
Usage: a man, one of the human race.
2. HELPS Word-studies
444 ánthrōpos – man, also the generic term for “mankind”; the human race; people, including women and men (Mt 4:19, 12:12, etc.).
J. 1:5. “The Light.” 5457. phós. https://biblehub.com/greek/5457.htm
1.Strong’s Concordance
phós: light
Definition: light
Usage: light, a source of light, radiance.
2. HELPS Word-studies
5457 phṓs (a neuter noun) – properly, light (especially in terms of its results, what it manifests); in the NT, the manifestation of God’s self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ.
K. 1:5. “shines.” 5316. phainó. https://biblehub.com/greek/5316.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
phainó: to bring to light, to cause to appear
Definition: to bring to light, to cause to appear
Usage: (a) act: I shine, shed light, (b) pass: I shine, become visible, appear, (c) I become clear, appear, seem, show myself as.
2. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
to shine, appear
Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten (shine), i.e. Show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) — appear, seem, be seen, shine, X think.
see GREEK phos
L. 1:5. “in the darkness, and the darkness.” 4653. skotia. https://biblehub.com/greek/4653.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
skotia: darkness
Definition: darkness
Usage: darkness; fig: spiritual darkness.
2. HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 4653 skotía (a feminine noun) – darkness, a brand of moral, spiritual obscurity (i.e. which blocks the light of God when faith is lacking). See also 4655 /skótos (“darkness”).
M. 1:5. “did not comprehend” (it). 2638. katalambanó. https://biblehub.com/greek/2638.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
katalambanó: to lay hold of, seize
Definition: to lay hold of, seize
Usage: (a) I seize tight hold of, arrest, catch, capture, appropriate, (b) I overtake, (c) mid. aor: I perceived, comprehended
2. HELPS Word-studies
2638 katalambánō (from 2596 /katá, “down, according to,” which intensifies 2983 /lambánō, “aggressively take”) – properly, take hold of exactly, with decisive initiative (eager self-interest); to grasp something in a forceful (firm) manner; (figuratively) to apprehend (comprehend), “making it one’s own.”
N. 1:7. “might believe.” 4100. pisteuó. https://biblehub.com/greek/4100.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
pisteuó: to believe, entrust
Definition: to believe, entrust
Usage: I believe, have faith in, trust in; pass: I am entrusted with.
2. HELPS Word-studies
4100 pisteúō (from 4102 /pístis, “faith,” derived from 3982 /peíthō, “persuade, be persuaded”) – believe (affirm, have confidence); used of persuading oneself (= human believing) and with the sacred significance of being persuaded by the Lord (= faith-believing). Only the context indicates whether 4100 /pisteúō (“believe”) is self-serving (without sacred meaning), or the believing that leads to/proceeds from God’s inbirthing of faith.
O. 1:9. “into the world.” 2889. kosmos. https://biblehub.com/greek/2889.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
kosmos: order, the world
Definition: order, the world
Usage: the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment.
2. HELPS Word-studies
2889 kósmos (literally, “something ordered”) – properly, an “ordered system” (like the universe, creation); the world.
[The English term “cosmetic” is derived from 2889 /kósmos, i.e. the order (“ensemble”) used of treating the face as a whole.]
P. 1:9. “enlightens.” 5461. phótizó. https://biblehub.com/greek/5461.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
phótizó: to shine, give light
Definition: to shine, give light
Usage: (a) I light up, illumine, (b) I bring to light, make evident, reveal.
2. HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 5461 phōtízō (from 5457 /phṓs, “light”) – properly, enlighten; (figuratively) God sharing His life, exposing and overcoming darkness – like the ignorance (prejudice) caused by sin. See 5457 (phōs).
Q. 1:9. “every.” pas.3956. https://biblehub.com/greek/3956.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
pas: all, every
Definition: all, every
Usage: all, every. all, the whole, every kind of.
2. HELPS Word-studies
3956 pás – each, every; each “part(s) of a totality” (L & N, 1, 59.24).
3956 /pás (“each, every”) means “all” in the sense of “each (every) part that applies.” The emphasis of the total picture then is on “one piece at a time.” 365 (ananeóō) then focuses on the part(s) making up the whole – viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
R. 1:9. “man.” 444. anthrópos. https://biblehub.com/greek/444.htm
1. Strong’s Concordance
anthrópos: a man, human, mankind
Definition: a man, human, mankind
Usage: a man, one of the human race.
2. HELPS Word-studies
444 ánthrōpos – man, also the generic term for “mankind”; the human race; people, including women and men (Mt 4:19, 12:12, etc.).
VI. Analysis.
A. The facts and details of this article are worthy of study and restudy. A comfort factor for all human beings comes from verse 9: “This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.” Every person” is easy to understand. See NASB Greek Lexicon. Strong’s Concordance And Numbers. HELPS Word-Studies, “V.Q.1:9.” . “The emphasis of the total picture then is on “one piece at a time.” Each and every human being is a total picture of humanity. “One piece at a time” (of humanity) receives the Light of Christ. The Light of Christ is restrictive to no one, and evades no one. We will go deeper into this reasoning when we study John 3:16.
B. The following scriptures tell of God’s desire for all of mankind to be saved.
1. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
New American Standard Bible 1995
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2. 2 Peter 3:9
New American Standard Bible 1995
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
3. Romans 8:38-39
New American Standard Bible 1995
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
VII. Let’s consider Life, as it is discussed in the following news articles.
Joe Biden Wont “Speak Out Against” Uyghur Genocide in China Because It’s Their “Cultural Norm”
VIII. Sources Of Information. I will put this statement of sources of information on each of my future articles.
A. Credential information for named individuals in this article can be found on my Theologians website Page.
B. The following sources of information provide great teaching ideas; I encourage everyone to purchase these materials.
1. Ryrie Study Bible.
2. MacArthur Study Bible.
C. Everyone reads something that someone else has written. Therefore, it is important to choose authors whom have proven to be knowledgeable of the things that they have written, and who also have a high degree of acceptance from their peers. In addition to the sources of information that are noted in the above paragraph, there are many other theologians for whom I have great respect, and whose works I use for reference in the articles that I write. A list of such theologians, along with their credentials, can be found on this website’s Page of my sources of information. On that sources page you can also find linked information that tells of ministry works of many of those trusted theologians.
IX. Please follow this site.
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