1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Interesting Words
beginning
(ἀρχή – Greek) – arché ► the beginning, the origin, properly, from the beginning (temporal sense), i.e. “the initial (starting) point”;
Gen 1:1, 26; 1John 1:1; 1John 3:8; 2Thes 2:13; Heb 1:10;
Word
(λόγος – Greek) – logos ► a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech, divine utterance, analogy, the expression of a thought;
Matt 8:8, 16; Heb 7:28; 2Peter 1:19, 3:5; Matt 7:24, 26; Eph 5:6; Heb 4:12; Rev 19:13; Col 1:15;
life
(ζωή – Greek) – zóé ► life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence, it always (only) comes from and is sustained by God’s self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life… Life indeed –
John 5:26, 10:10; 1John 1:1, 2, 3; 1Tim 6:17, 18-19; 1Peter 3:10; Luke 12:15; James 4:14; Rom 5:10, 6:23; Deut 30:19; Prov 8:35; John 6:63, John 14:6;
Cross References
• John 1:14
• 1John 1:3
• John 15:15
• John 20:30, 31
• Rev 2:7
• John 5:24
• Matt 7:14; 1John 5:11-12, 1John 5:13;
John 11:25-26; Acts 5:19-20; Rev 21:6;
Rev 22:17;
Discussion Questions
1. What is the significance of John describing God’s initial creative act as being that of communication?
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2. What did the Word accomplish in these first few moments?
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3. What does the immediate context tell you about the Word?
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4. Looking at John 1:14 (under cross references)… How does this verse describe the Word? Who was He?
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5. What does He offer to people today (note specifics in v.4 and v.5)?
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6. Consider also the other cross references… What does Jesus offer to mankind?
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7. What was John’s purpose in writing this gospel?
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