The Book of
1st
John |
J. Deering, AncientPath.net
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Chapter 1:4-5
The Life and The Light
Translations and Paraphrases
NASB
<4> In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. <5> And the
light shines in the darkness; and the darkness did not comprehend it.
NIV
<4>In him was life, and that life was the light
of men. <5> The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not
understood it.
KJV
In him was life; and the life was the light of
men. {5} And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it
not.
Wuest
<4> In him was life existing. And this
aforementioned life was the light of men. <5> And the light in the darkness is
constantly shining. And the darkness did not overwhelm it.
Interlinear
In him life was, and the life was the light of
men; <5> and the light in the darkness sines, and the darkness it not overtook.
CALVIN'S NOTES ( (1))
John 1:4
[Calvin] - ... Since God effectually illuminates their (man's) minds with His
light, it follows that they were created to the end that they might know that He
is the author of such a unique blessing. and since this light streamed forth to
us from the Word its source, it should be as a mirror in which we may see
clearly the divine power of the Word.
[Calvin] - ... the light given to men in the beginning must not be assessed by their present state, since in this marred and degenerate nature light has been turned to darkness. And yet he denies that the light of reason is completely put out; for in the darkling gloom of the human mind there still shines some sparks of that brightness.
John 1:5
[Calvin] - ... there is no hope for men's salvation unless God shall help with a
new help. For though the Son of God sheds His light upon them, they are so dull
that they do not comprehend the source of that light .... Moreover, we must
remember that the evangelist is speaking only of natural gifts and is not yet
dealing with the grace of regeneration ....
References
[John 1:4]
Genesis 1:1-4
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. {2} And the earth was
without form, and void; and darkness <was> upon the face of the deep. And the
Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. {3} And God said, Let there be
light: and there was light. {4} And God saw the light, that <it was> good: and
God divided the light from the darkness.
Colossians 1:12-16
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light: {13} Who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated <us> into the kingdom of his dear Son: {14} In
whom we have redemption through his blood, <even> the forgiveness of sins: {15}
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: {16} For
by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether <they be> thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
John 5:26-27
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life
in himself; {27} And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because
he is the Son of man.
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me.
[John 1:5]
John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
REFERENCES TO "LIGHT"
(The Presence of God)
Exodus 13:21
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the
way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and
night:
(Type of Christ)
Exodus 27:20
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil
olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
(Type of Christ)
Exodus 39:37
The pure candlestick, <with> the lamps thereof, <even with> the lamps to be set
in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
(Disgrace)
2 Samuel 21:17
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and
killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more
out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
(Judah as a Type of Christ)
1 Kings 11:36
And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light
alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name
there.
(Light and The Word)
Psalms 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
(Messianic Prophecy - "He has a demon")
Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
(Messianic Prophecy - The Gospel unto the Gentiles)
Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in
the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
(Messianic Prophecy - The Gospel unto the Gentiles)
Isaiah 42:6
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will
keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the
Gentiles;
(Messianic Prophecy)
Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way <that> they knew not; I will lead them in
paths <that> they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and
crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
(Discussion of God's Intentions and Decrees)
Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD
do all these <things>.
(God's revealing light - things that are hidden in darkness
are revealed)
Job 12:22
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow
of death.
(Knowledge of Him brings absolute courage)
Psalms 27:1
<A Psalm> of David. The LORD <is> my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
the LORD <is> the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
(Only in His light can we see real light)
Psalms 36:9
For with thee <is> the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
(Messianic Prophecy)
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon
thee.
(Messianic Prophecy)
Isaiah 60:3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy
rising.
(Messianic Prophecy)
Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon
give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and
thy God thy glory.
(His knowledge - His light dwells in Him !)
Daniel 2:22
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what <is> in the darkness,
and the light dwelleth with him.
(Answered Gentile Prophecy)
Matthew 4:16
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the
region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
(Every man gets illumination)
John 1:9
<That> was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
(Light brings conviction and other results)
John 5:35
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to
rejoice in his light.
(He that follows me shall have ME)
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(Who becomes the light of the world in His absence - The
Church)
John 9:5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
(Should not abide...)
John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not
abide in darkness.
(To the Gentiles)
Acts 26:23
That Christ should suffer, <and> that he should be the first that should rise
from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
(Discussion - He has BLINDED them)
2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them.
(Arise from the dead)
Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and
Christ shall give thee light.
(Dwelling in the Light)
1 Timothy 6:16
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto;
whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom <be> honour and power everlasting.
Amen.
(Discussion - Called out)
1 Peter 2:9
But ye <are> a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light:
(No darkness at all)
1 John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
(The Lamb is the Light)
Revelation 21:23
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for
the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb <is> the light thereof.
REFERENCES TO "DARKNESS"
(Fulfilled Prophecy - Isaiah 9:2)
Matthew 4:16
The people which sat in [darkness] saw great light; and to them which sat in the
region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
(Sit in darkness)
Luke 1:79
To give light to them that sit in [darkness] and <in> the shadow of death, to
guide our feet into the way of peace.
(The right kind of light)
Luke 11:35
Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not [darkness].
(Discussion - Darkness vs Evil Deeds)
John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
[darkness] rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
(Discussion - Works of darkness VS Armor of Light)
Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works
of [darkness], and let us put on the armor of light.
(Beautiful verse....)
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of [darkness], hath shined in our
hearts, to <give> the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ.
(Real adversaries)
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the [darkness] of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high <places>.
(Translated Us)
Colossians 1:13
Who hath delivered us from the power of [darkness], and hath translated <us>
into the kingdom of his dear Son:
(Discussion - Called)
1 Peter 2:9
But ye <are> a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
[darkness] into his marvellous light:
1.
Calvin, John
Calvin's New Testament Commentary
Translation 1959, Oliver and Boyd Ltd.
Edinburgh
2012-11-23