Bible Commentaries
John 1

Verse 1

Word

Gr. "Logos" (arm. "Memra," used in the Targums, or Heb. paraphrases, for God). The Greek term means,

(1) a thought or concept;

(2) the expression or utterance of that thought. As a designation of Christ, therefore, Logos is peculiarly felicitous because,

(1) in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective "thought" of God 1 Corinthians 1:24; Ephesians 3:11; Colossians 2:2; Colossians 2:3 and,

(2) He is from eternity, but especially in His incarnation, the utterance or expression of the Person, and "thought" of Deity John 1:3-5; John 1:9; John 1:14-18; John 14:9-11; Colossians 2:9.

In the Being, Person, and work of Christ, Deity is told out.

Verse 5

comprehended

Or, apprehended; lit. "laid not hold of it."

Verse 10

world

kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield " :-")

Verse 11

He came

i.e. He came unto his own things, and his own people received him not.

Verse 17

grace

Grace. Summary:

(1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man. . . not by works of righteousness which we have done" Titus 3:4; Titus 3:5.

It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Romans 3:21; Romans 3:22; Romans 8:4; Philemon 1:3; Philemon 3:9. Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith ; John 1:17; Romans 10:4-10. Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad ; Exodus 19:5; Ephesians 2:1-9. Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift ; Deuteronomy 28:1-6; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 4:4; Romans 4:5.

(2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 3:24-26 Romans 4:24; Romans 4:25. The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation, ; John 1:12; John 1:13; John 3:36; Matthew 21:37; Matthew 22:24; John 15:22; John 15:25; Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 5:10-12. The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27. The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See "Apostasy" (See Scofield "Acts 4:27- :") 2 Timothy 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments.

(3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Romans 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Romans 6:15.

See, for the other six dispensations:

Innocence, (See Scofield "Romans 6:15- :")

Conscience, (See Scofield "Romans 6:15- :")

Human Government, (See Scofield "Romans 6:15- :")

Promise, (See Scofield "Romans 6:15- :")

Law, (See Scofield "Romans 6:15- :")

Kingdom, (See Scofield "Romans 6:15- :") .

Verse 18

hath seen God

CF Genesis 32:20; Exodus 24:10; Exodus 33:18; Judges 6:22; Judges 13:22; Revelation 22:4. The divine essence, God, veiled in angelic form, and especially as incarnate in Jesus Christ, has been seen of men. ; Genesis 18:2; Genesis 18:22; John 14:8; John 14:9.

declared Lit. led him forth, i.e. into full revelation. John 14:9.

Verse 29

sins

Sin. (See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 39

Come The call to discipleship. Cf. Matthew 4:18-22 the call to service.

tenth hour That was two hours before night.

Verse 51

angels

(See Scofield " :-")