[1:1] 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. (John 1:1-5 ESV)
The words that describe an article elevate its price. “Footwear” is higher priced than shoes. A “journal” is more expensive than a “magazine.” An establishment that has a “clientele” can be expected to charge more than one that has plain “customers.” A trip to a men’s “hair salon” may set you back twice what a jaunt to the barber will. Prison guards are now “security officers.” Hairdressers are “tonsorial artists.” Undertakers are morticians.” Garbagemen are “sanitation engineers.” Rat-catchers are “rodent exterminators.”
It is interesting to see new words come on the scene like carbon footprint (“how much we contribute to the environment”), frenemy (an enemy pretending to be a friend) or staycation (a vacation at home or nearby).
Scripture reminds us of the power of words:
Proverbs 10:19: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
In the first 5 verses of the first chapter we encounter a Word that really is not about a unit of language formed by a particular arrangement of the alphabet to convey a thought.
For you see the very purpose for which the author writes is given to us in 20:30-31. This author, the apostle John, the son of Zebedee and a member of Jesus’ inner circle of apostles during his earthly ministry, presents Christ as the long-awaited Messiah/Son of God and believing in Him people may have eternal life.
John wrote three letters and penned the Book of Revelation. Here in his Gospel, he introduces his book by identifying Jesus as the Word. We know this is Jesus because of verse 14.
But why use “Word”? John is the only NT writer who calls Jesus the Word. (Here, 1:14; 1 John 1:1; Revelation 19:13).
It is an old word…(meaning) to lay by, to collect, to put words side by side, to speak, to express an opinion. Λογος [Logos] is common for reason as well as speech. Jesus is the very self-expression of God. Jesus is the voice of God.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses are a non-Christian cult which take Scripture passages out of context, insert their beliefs into the text and refuse to read the entire biblical context around a verse. They are blind to the truth. They deny the deity of Christ which is asserted clearly in this passage, they deny Christ’s physical resurrection and true salvation by grace.
- Mormon’s teach that Jesus is created that He was begotten in heaven as one of God’s spirit children. That is completely contrary to the passage here and many other places.
Let’s look at the text as to what God’s Word says…
I. JESUS IS THE ETERNAL WORD (vv. 1-2)
A. Lit. “In beginning” – i.e. before Genesis 1:1.
B. No Argument For…
1. God’s existence
2. Christ’s existence.
C. Their Existence is Assumed.
1. The Word was in the beginning.
2. The Word was with God.
3. The Word, in fact, was God.
D. Jesus Is God – There is not another.
John 1:14; John 5:18; John 8:24, 58 (Exodus 3:14); John 10:30-33
1. Scripture proclaim it.
2. Jesus is worshipped; while Jesus taught to worship God only.
3. Jesus is prayed to…
Acts 7:55-60; Isa 44:6 and Rev. 1:17-18.
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