Joh 1:1 | MHM | STEP | The Divinity of Christ Many people have found the opening verses of John’s Gospel very special. Some, like the philosopher Simplicius and the scholar Francis Junius, were deeply moved and even changed by reading these lines. John begins his Gospel by making a strong statement: Jesus Christ is truly God, united with the Father. Let’s look at how John explains this truth. v. 1 : John calls Jesus “the Word” ( ho logos ). This is a unique name that John uses for Christ (1 John 1:1; 5:7; Revelation 19:13 ). In the Old Testament, the Messiah is sometimes called the "Word of the Lord ." The “Word” can mean two things. First, it is like a thought in the mind—something that exists within. Jesus is the eternal wisdom of God, the Son who was always with the Father (Proverbs 8:22 ). Second, the “Word” can mean speech—how we express our thoughts. Jesus is also the one through whom God speaks to us in these last days (Hebrews 1:2; Matthew 17:5 ). He shows us who God is, just as words reveal what is in someone’s mind. John the Baptist was a voice, but Jesus is the Word—the Truth, the Amen, the faithful Witness (Revelation 3:14 ).

‏ John 1:1

The Divinity of Christ

Many people have found the opening verses of John’s Gospel very special. Some, like the philosopher Simplicius and the scholar Francis Junius, were deeply moved and even changed by reading these lines. John begins his Gospel by making a strong statement: Jesus Christ is truly God, united with the Father. Let’s look at how John explains this truth.

v. 1: John calls Jesus “the Word” (ho logos). This is a unique name that John uses for Christ (1 John 1:1; 5:7; Revelation 19:13 ^a). In the Old Testament, the Messiah is sometimes called the "Word of the Lord." The “Word” can mean two things. First, it is like a thought in the mind—something that exists within. Jesus is the eternal wisdom of God, the Son who was always with the Father (Proverbs 8:22 ^b). Second, the “Word” can mean speech—how we express our thoughts. Jesus is also the one through whom God speaks to us in these last days (Hebrews 1:2; Matthew 17:5 ^c). He shows us who God is, just as words reveal what is in someone’s mind. John the Baptist was a voice, but Jesus is the Word—the Truth, the Amen, the faithful Witness (Revelation 3:14 ^d).