Gospel Prayer Ministry

📖 Passage

🧠 Context & Background

The opening of John's Gospel mirrors Genesis 1:1, declaring that the Word (Logos) existed before time, was with God, and was fully God. In a first-century Jewish context, "Word" would recall God's creative speech in the Old Testament and His self-revelation through the prophets. John identifies Jesus as the eternal Creator who brings life and light to a darkened world. This prologue sets the stage for the entire Gospel, revealing that salvation is rooted in the eternal plan of God and fulfilled in Christ.

🌿 Key Themes

Deity of Christ — Jesus is fully God and has always existed.
Creation Through the Word — All things came into being through Him.
Life in the Son — Jesus is the source of all physical and spiritual life.
Light Overcoming Darkness — The presence of Christ drives back the power of sin and evil.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Eternal Preexistence — Jesus did not come into existence; He always was.
Distinct Person — The Word is with God, indicating fellowship within the Godhead.
Full Deity — The Word was God, affirming His divine nature.

John 1:2

"He was in the beginning with God."

Continuity of Existence — This restates verse 1 for emphasis, underscoring the eternal relationship of the Son with the Father.
Relational Unity — Points to divine communion, not isolation.

John 1:3

"All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made."

Universal Creator — Nothing exists apart from His creative work.
Exclusivity — He is the sole agent of creation; nothing exists independently of Him.
Genesis Echo — Mirrors God's creative act in Genesis 1.

John 1:4

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Source of Life — Both physical and spiritual life flow from Christ.
Light for Humanity — His life enlightens human understanding of God.
Redemptive Aim — Light is tied to salvation and revelation.

John 1:5

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Present Tense Victory — Christ's light continues to shine.
Spiritual Conflict — Darkness represents sin, evil, and unbelief.
Assured Triumph — Darkness cannot extinguish or conquer His light.

🔍 Trusted Insight

RC Sproul remarks that John's prologue introduces Christ as the eternal Creator, ensuring that His saving mission is grounded in divine authority and eternal purpose. This means that the Gospel's call to believe is not based on a passing teacher but on the eternal Son who holds all things together.

Summary: Jesus, the eternal Word, is the Creator, Life-giver, and unconquerable Light.

🧩 Review Questions

🔍 Definitions

Logos — The divine Word, God's ultimate self-revelation in Christ.
Light — Symbol of divine truth and holiness.
Darkness — Spiritual ignorance, sin, and opposition to God.
Life — Both physical existence and spiritual vitality given by God.

🙋 Application Questions

How does knowing Jesus existed before creation shape your worship?
In what ways can you reflect His light in your relationships?
Where have you seen His light overcome darkness in your life?

🔤 Greek Keywords

Logos (Word) — God's communication and self-revelation in Christ.
Phōs (Light) — Spiritual illumination dispelling moral and spiritual darkness.
Zōē (Life) — Eternal, God-given vitality found in Christ alone.
Katalambanō (Overcome) — To grasp or overpower; here, darkness cannot conquer the Light.

📚 Cross References

Genesis 1:1 — Creation begins with God's Word.
Psalm 36:9 — "In Your light do we see light."
Isaiah 9:2 — Light shines on those in darkness.
Colossians 1:16 — All things created through and for Christ.
Hebrews 1:3 — The Son upholds the universe by the word of His power.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → John 1:6–13

John 1:1–5 – The Word was God