JOHN 1:1-5 The Prologue to the Gospel

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning.

All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.

The Gospel of John, which begins with these verses, is in many respects very unlike the other three Gospels. It contains many things which they omit. It omits many things which they contain. Good reason might easily be shown for this unlikeness.

But it is enough to remember that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote under the direct inspiration of God. In the general plan of their respective Gospels, and in the particular details–in everything that they record, and in everything that they do not record–they were all four equally and entirely guided by the Holy Spirit. About the matters which John was specially inspired to relate in his Gospel, one general remark will suffice.

The things which are peculiar to his Gospel are among the most precious possessions of the Church of Christ. No one of the four Gospel-writers has given us such full statements about the divinity of Christ–about justification by faith–about the offices of Christ–about the work of the Holy Spirit–and about the privileges of believers, as we read in the pages of John. On none of these great subjects, undoubtedly, have Matthew, Mark, and Luke been silent. But in John’s Gospel, they stand out prominently on the surface, so that he who runs may read.

The five verses now before us contain a statement of matchless sublimity concerning the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. He it is, beyond all question, whom John means, when he speaks of “the Word.” No doubt there are heights and depths in that statement which are far beyond man’s understanding. And yet there are plain lessons in it, which every Christian would do well to treasure up in his mind. We learn, firstly, that our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal. John tells us that “in the beginning was the Word.”

He did not begin to exist when the heavens and the earth were made. Much less did He begin to exist when the Gospel was brought into the world. He had glory with the Father “before the world was.” (John 17:5.) He was existing when matter was first created, and before time began. He was “before all things.” (Col. 1:17.) He was from all eternity. We learn, secondly, that our Lord Jesus Christ is a Person distinct from God the Father, and yet one with Him.

John tells us that “the Word was with God.” The Father and the Word, though two persons, are joined by an ineffable union. Where God the Father was from all eternity, there also was the Word, even God the Son–their glory equal, their majesty co-eternal, and yet their Godhead one. This is a great mystery! Happy is he who can receive it as a little child, without attempting to explain it. We learn, thirdly, that the Lord Jesus Christ is very God. John tells us that “the Word was God.”

He is not merely a created angel, or a being inferior to God the Father, and invested by Him with power to redeem sinners. He is nothing less than perfect God–equal to the Father as touching His Godhead–God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds. We learn, fourthly, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things.John tells us that “by Him were all things made, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” So far from being a creature of God, as some heretics have falsely asserted, He is the Being who made the worlds and all that they contain.

“He commanded and they were created.” (Psalm 148:5.) We learn, lastly, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all spiritual life and light. John tells us, that “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” He is the eternal fountain, from which alone the sons of men have ever derived life. Whatever spiritual life and light Adam and Eve possessed before the fall, was from Christ. Whatever deliverance from sin and spiritual death any child of Adam has ever enjoyed since the fall, whatever light of conscience or understanding any one has obtained, all has flowed from Christ.

The vast majority of mankind in every age have refused to know Him, have forgotten the fall, and their own need of a Savior. The light has been constantly shining “in darkness.” The most have “not comprehended the light.” But if any men and women out of the countless millions of mankind have ever had spiritual life and light, they have owed all to Christ.[1]

J.C Ryle

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End Notes:

[1] J. C. Ryle. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Kindle Locations 16489-16564). Monergism Books.

See also:

CHRIST JESUS GOD IN HUMAN FLESH

MARCUS BORG AND CHRISTIANS WHO DON’T BELIEVE IN JESUS

YOU LOVE JESUS; GOOD FOR YOU, BUT WHICH ONE?