Word of God

John 1:1-5

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, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Notes

The gospel, according to John, approached the story of the Son of God differently. Instead of citing the other three writings, which are Matthew, Mark, and Luke, John writes from his memory of the events and discourses of our Lord Unlike Matthew and Luke, he did not begin with a genealogy; unlike Mark, he did not begin with the earthly narrative. Instead, John began with the existence of the Word. God did not create the Word; the Word was there in the beginning.

Furthermore, John stated that the world came into existence because of the Word; nothing could have existed without the Word. John would then shift from a physical creation standpoint to a spiritual standpoint. The author would reveal as part of His prologue (vv.1-18) that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The author, also known as John the Beloved, wrote to both Jews and Gentiles. The date would be between AD 55 to AD 95.

1. The Word

   John began his narrative by introducing the Word. The first sentence showed the time, companionship, and identity of the Word; this theme will continue throughout the book. John’s style is similar to the Genesis creation story.

   
   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. (John 1:1-2).

2. Creation through the Word

   In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). John summarizes the creation story in one phrase. Everything existed through him, and nothing could exist without him. The Word is the origin of the universe.

   3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3).

3. Light and life-giver

   John’s mention of life refers to both physical and spiritual. The physical angle connects to the creation story, while the spiritual angle connects to the ministry of Christ. And the darkness could not understand or overcome the light.

   
   4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).

Application

1. Believe He is God

   Believe that the Word is God and that nothing existed in creation without Him. Before the Word became man, He was the Word before time and creation. God did not create Him. He was with Him, and He is Him.
   

2. Know the origin

   What is the origin of the universe? Our answer is direct. All things originated from God. Then we explain that the Word is God. Therefore, we must firmly believe in our roots, God's Word.
   

3. Live in His light

   We thank God for our very existence and our every waking moment. Furthermore, we thank God for His Son, the life whose light shines in the darkness. We believe in Him, who leads us to eternal life.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Describe the Word according to the text.

2. Explain the possible overlap of physical and spiritual regarding the life.

3. In what ways was deity on display?