Scriptural text: John 1:1-14
Lesson Context: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “synoptic,” because they recorded the person of Jesus from a similar perspective. The prefix “syn” denotes the same or similar. John’s Gospel stands apart from the others. John’s Gospel reveals or portrays Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah (John 20:31). John refers to Jesus as “the Word”(John 1:1, 14). John use of Jesus as the “Word” is derived from the Greek word- “logos.” John the apostle is not to be confused with John the Baptist. The two individuals are not synonymous (the same).
The Eternal Word (John 1:1-5).
His existence from the beginning, in the beginning was the Word. This bespeaks His existence, not only before His incarnation, but before all time. The beginning of time, in which all creatures were produced and brought into being, found this eternal Word in being. Eternity is usually expressed before the foundation of the world.
His co-existence with the Father.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God. No one can draw Christ from God, for Christ is with God and is God: it is repeated in John 1:2 the same, the very same that we believe and preach, was in the beginning with God, that is, He was so from eternity.
His Agency in Making the World, John 1:3.
All things were made by Him. He was with God, not only so to be as to be acquainted with the divine counsels from eternity, but to be active in the divine operations in the beginning of time. God made the world by a word (Psalm 33:6) and Christ was the Word. By Him, not as a subordinate instrument, but as a co-ordinate agent, God made the world. Without Him was not anything made that was made, meaning God the Father did nothing without him in that work. This proves that he is God; for he that built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).
Light in Darkness (vv. 4-5).
The Light shineth in darkness. The eternal Word, as God, shines in the darkness of natural conscience. Though men by the fall are become darkness, yet that which might be manifested in them. The light of nature is this light shining in darkness.
The Only Son (John 1:14).
The Logos which was in the beginning has now become; the Logos that was God became flesh (the Incarnation of the Logos) has set up his tabernacle among us. As of the only begotten, The term as applied to the person of our Lord, is only found in St. John (St. John 1:18; John 3:16; John 3:18; 1 John 4:9). Of the Father. The thought is of glory witnessed on earth of the only begotten Son who had from God.
Full of grace and truth.- These words do not refer to the “Father,” or to “the glory,” but to the “Word.”
References: Matthew Henry Commentary, Pulpit Commentary, Elliott’s Commentary, 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary