The Book of John: John 1

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I am presenting this as though it were a Bible study for new believers. From the beginning of my walk with Jesus in 1983, until today, it is often said that the best place for a new believer to begin reading the Bible is the book of John. There is good reason for that, though, in my case, since that suggestion came from those who also believe that being saved is a matter of saying a prayer of invitation for Jesus to come into their life, their reasons were probably much different than why I still believe it is a good beginning. And I did not start with John but Gen and Matthew simultaneously, because I wanted to know what all the words in the Bible were that I quite unexpectedly believed were true.

Let's begin.

Before we get into the text, we need to know a bit about that book. A good study Bible will have a preface before the actual text of any book that gives information about the author, the time of writing, the purpose, its genre, the historical setting etc. For the sake of space I will hit the highlights and not all the details. Doing this, especially with the new believer will set the stage in teaching them how to study and interpret the Bible, rather than doing so in a vacuum.

The disciple John was the author. Though there are disputes on the date of writing most scholars agree to a date close to the end of John's life, around A.D. 90. There were many Jews who rebelled at the idea that Jesus was the Son of God and the structure and content of John's book is showing the undeniable fact of that truth.

It begins with a majestic prologue. (1:1-18)
Many of the themes in the prologue recur throughout the book. Light/darkness, life, faith, birth.
Symbolism in the teaching method of Jesus are pervasive. Temple, wind, water, bread, sight/blindness, vine etc.
Jesus' miraculous signs and his teaching are shown as interrelated.

 

[Arial]

Part 2
John 1:1-18
This is known as the prologue. I will break it down in blocks of text and at the end of the block, ask a question(s). (Text is from ESV)


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 was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

This is of course, directly relating what John writes to Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. and the creation account.

1. Why did John refer immediately to the story of creation?
2. Why did he use the word logos? (logos is the Greek for "word.")
3. What does this say about the Word?
4. Who is the Word in these passages and what is it indicating about the Word?

In answering, remember that in this hypothetical Bible study, we have only read these first five verses. We need to go step by step.

 

[CrowCross]

4. Who is the Word in these passages and what is it indicating about the Word?

The Word in this passage would be God in the person of the pre-incarnate Jesus the Christ.

 

[Arial]

The Word in this passage would be God in the person of the pre-incarnate Jesus the Christ.

True. However, first, in that specific passage it identifies the Word as God.

What does the passage tell us about God as to His essence? In just that passage?

 

[Mr GLee]

Part 2
John 1:1-18
This is known as the prologue. I will break it down in blocks of text and at the end of the block, ask a question(s). (Text is from ESV)


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 was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

This is of course, directly relating what John writes to Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. and the creation account.

1. Why did John refer immediately to the story of creation?
2. Why did he use the word logos? (logos is the Greek for "word.")
3. What does this say about the Word?
4. Who is the Word in these passages and what is it indicating about the Word?

In answering, remember that in this hypothetical Bible study, we have only read these first five verses. We need to go step by step.

I would offer.

Logos meaning . . .both "reason" and "word" (living word )The "let there be" and "it was God alone good" . The law of faith or power. Believing the eternal things not seen using the temporal things that are seen .The signified tongue of parables .

Comparing the temporal historical things seen. . .to the eternal invisible things of Christ. The mix or gospel rest (Hebrew 4:1-2)

 

[CrowCross]

True. However, first, in that specific passage it identifies the Word as God.

What does the passage tell us about God as to His essence? In just that passage?

it tells part of the story pertaining to Gods essence....It tells us the Word is God...it also tells us the Word was with God which means God is also another.

The verse identifies the word as a "he"...assigns personage to it.

Some suggest this points towards two Gods...and not one. But, other scripture tells us God is one God.
So, mystery of the trinity begins.

The verse also tells us the Word was with God in the beginning. Then tells us the Word was the creator and adds light to other verses that present God as the creator.

A few verses later we learn that... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us...

 

[CherubRam]

Part 2
John 1:1-18
This is known as the prologue. I will break it down in blocks of text and at the end of the block, ask a question(s). (Text is from ESV)


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 was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

This is of course, directly relating what John writes to Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. and the creation account.

1. Why did John refer immediately to the story of creation?
2. Why did he use the word logos? (logos is the Greek for "word.")
3. What does this say about the Word?
4. Who is the Word in these passages and what is it indicating about the Word?

In answering, remember that in this hypothetical Bible study, we have only read these first five verses. We need to go step by step.

The Word
Zechariah 11:11
It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew it was The Word [Yahshua] of [the Lord / Yahwah.]



The Word [Yahshua]
John 1:1
In beginning was The Word, and The Word was with The Only Divine Eternal, and The Word was divine.

John 1:1 above is a complete translation of the ancient Greek text. It is not an interpretation.

 

[CrowCross]

The Word
Zechariah 11:11
It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew it was The Word [Yahshua] of [the Lord / Yahwah.]



The Word [Yahshua]
John 1:1
In beginning was The Word, and The Word was with The Only Divine Eternal, and The Word was divine.

John 1:1 above is a complete translation of the ancient Greek text. It is not an interpretation.

Reference please.

 

[Arial]

The Word
Zechariah 11:11
It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew it was The Word [Yahshua] of [the Lord / Yahwah.]



The Word [Yahshua]
John 1:1
In beginning was The Word, and The Word was with The Only Divine Eternal, and The Word was divine.

John 1:1 above is a complete translation of the ancient Greek text. It is not an interpretation.

Follow directions. No trolling allowed.

 

[Arial]

it tells part of the story pertaining to Gods essence....It tells us the Word is God...it also tells us the Word was with God which means God is also another.

The verse identifies the word as a "he"...assigns personage to it.

Some suggest this points towards two Gods...and not one. But, other scripture tells us God is one God.
So, mystery of the trinity begins.

The verse also tells us the Word was with God in the beginning. Then tells us the Word was the creator and adds light to other verses that present God as the creator.

A few verses later we learn that... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us...

Very well said. I want to clarify something about the purpose of the OP though concerning that last sentence. I realize most of us know this, and those who do not believe it, know where it is headed. But I don't want us to jump ahead. That is why I constructed the OP as a Bible study for new Christians. And it should be a great help to all of us, even if we know the facts and have been Christian's for a long time.

By going through it step by step, one block of scripture at a time, the conclusions become self explanatory. The scripture interprets itself. This is a good lesson for even the ancients like me, knocking on the door of eighty, to remind us to be diligent in how we approach studying the Bible. It is also a great tool in learning layman apologetics. What I believe and why I believe it. And in being able to answer questions.

So it has been established in this study that the Word is God and that there is God with God and the God was God. That might be how a stranger to the text would ready it when they know that the Word is God. And we have established that everything was created by this God. That would answer questions 3 and 4.

The answers to 1 and 2 may not be something that many Christians are familiar with. It is important for the simple fact that it deals with an argument that comes against the deity of Christ. We have seen it on this forum. And when it is known, it silences all validity of what is said in order to deny Christ's deity. It won't silence them. But their arguments becomes an exercise in futility, especially since it also obviously defies all form of logical argument.

So, I will present what I know about it, and there are others who know more and/or can say it better than I will be able to. I call them to my rescue. I will do it in a separate post so this won't get any longer.

 

[Arial]

Questions 1 and 2 of post #2

Re: John 1:1-5

1. Why did John refer immediately to the story of creation in his prologue?
2. Why did he use the word logos (Greek translated as "word".)



These two questions are related. Both are answered relating to the culture of the day that had a strong pagan influence, and of course, John was writing in Greek, according the the oldest manuscripts.

Philosophy and philosophizing was a big deal.

In Greek philosophy logos was "reason" or "light", an abstract force that brought order and harmony to the universe. (Something similar is found in our own unbelieving culture when people speak of the "universe" desiring or bringing about something. "I guess the universe wanted us to take that road.") John soundly disputes the notion that there is any such thing as an abstract force doing anything. God is the power, the one who "in the beginning created the heavens and the earth." And to go even further, he begins setting up this God actively entering into the world when he says God with God. The Greek word translated "with" is pros, containing the connotation of towards. A face to face. There is one face to face with God who is God. This one, as we shall see, enters into our world.

 

[CherubRam]

Reference please.

Your looking at it.

 

[CherubRam]

Follow directions. No trolling allowed.

Good bye.

 

[Arial]

Part 2 cont.
Having answered questions 1-4 we can move on to the rest of that passage.

4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John identifies the Word who was with God and is God as the "him" of the "he" on verse 2. He was in the beginning with God.

Since all four of the Gospels focus on the life and work of Jesus, we can safely say that this "him" is Jesus. He is clearly shown to be God. Jesus is his incarnation name.

1. What does it mean that in Jesus was life, and the life was the light of men?

2. What does the darkness refer to?

3. What does it mean that the darkness did not overcome the light?

 

[CrowCross]

. Why did he use the word logos? (logos is the Greek for "word.")

The word...WORD...appears to have many nuances. It can refer to the spoken word written or the scribing, printing of communications....It can be used as presenting the truth with sayings such as "mark my word" and the list goes on and on.

Often the meaning of the word WORD (logos) is assigned through speculative reasons as to what it means in John 1. Many in an attempt to show Jesus was merely a thought, idea, concept, plan etc. is assigned to the definition for no biblical reason in an attempt to show Jesus wasn't God.

We do know the Holy Spirit inspired John says the Word was God. Then John describes the word as a "He".

Perhaps the term WORD refers to a title, name, character, fame, reputation etc. such as we see in Rev 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. Whatever it may mean we see Jesus...the "HE"... identified as the Word of God.

Some say John used the term WORD because the Greeks had an understanding of the meaning and John used it to express a higher level or gave it a new meaning. Sort of like Paul and the unknown God at Mars Hill when Paul addressed the Areopagus. Even now I speculate.

 

[CherubRam]

Part 2 cont.
Having answered questions 1-4 we can move on to the rest of that passage.

4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John identifies the Word who was with God and is God as the "him" of the "he" on verse 2. He was in the beginning with God.

Since all four of the Gospels focus on the life and work of Jesus, we can safely say that this "him" is Jesus. He is clearly shown to be God. Jesus is his incarnation name.

1. What does it mean that in Jesus was life, and the life was the light of men?

2. What does the darkness refer to?

3. What does it mean that the darkness did not overcome the light?

Yahshua is The Way to the Spirit of Truth, Yahwah.
The word "LIGHT" is being used as a parable for "TRUTH."

"DARKNESS" is being used as a parable to mean "SIN."

#3. Sinners did not prevail over the truth.

 

[Mr GLee]

Yahshua is The Way to the Spirit of Truth, Yahwah.
The word "LIGHT" is being used as a parable for "TRUTH."

"DARKNESS" is being used as a parable to mean "SIN."

#3. Sinners did not prevail over the truth.

I would offer.

Remember the introduction to the Savior .Lights, camera, action . .curtains let the showing of the mysteries begin

God who is light as his eternal glory came on the scene (Let there be )and that glory literally revealed what the darkness concealed .

Genesis 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

For three days and night the the glory of God as the literal light of the whole world. Day three used to denote the end of a matter the glory left God had seen pride in the heart of Lucifer, He then turned the switch to on position and began to use the Sun as a source of light and moon a reflection of the glory of the Sun. in various parables.

Just as Jesus the Son of man reflects the glory of the Father. . believer's used as stars .Sun and Moon the two corruption time keepers winding down till the last day under the Sun .The then glory of Christ will return and there will be no more darkness as night forever and ever more

 

[Arial]

Yahshua is The Way to the Spirit of Truth, Yahwah.
The word "LIGHT" is being used as a parable for "TRUTH."

That is an interpretation but it does not tell us what it means that life and light are in Jesus. I contend that "light" is not being used as parable for "truth". First of all that would not be a parable but a metaphor. But the contrast is not between truth and error, but light and darkness.

"DARKNESS" is being used as a parable to mean "SIN."

Again not a parable. Sin certainly is the cause of the darkness but it is not the darkness itself.

#3. Sinners did not prevail over the truth.

The subject is not sinners in these passages, but Jesus. It says Jesus is the light that the darkness could not prevail over.