Robertson Word Pictures - John 1:7 - 1:7

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Robertson Word Pictures - John 1:7 - 1:7


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

For witness (eis marturian). Old word from martureō (from martus), both more common in John’s writings than the rest of the N.T. This the purpose of the Baptist’s ministry.

That he might bear witness (hina marturēsēi). Final clause with hina and aorist active subjunctive of martureō to make clearer eis marturian.

Of the light (peri tou phōtos). “Concerning the light.” The light was shining and men with blinded eyes were not seeing the light (Joh 1:26), blinded by the god of this world still (2Co 4:4). John had his own eyes opened so that he saw and told what he saw. That is the mission of every preacher of Christ. But he must first have his own eyes opened.

That all might believe (hina pisteusōsin). Final clause with hina and first aorist active subjunctive of pisteuō, ingressive aorist “come to believe.” This is one of John’s great words (about 100 times), “with nine times the frequency with which it is used by the Synoptists” (Bernard). And yet pistis, so common in Paul, John uses only in 1Jo 5:4 and four times in the Apocalypse where pisteuō does not occur at all. Here it is used absolutely as in Joh 1:50, etc.

Through him (di' autou). As the intermediate agent in winning men to believe in Christ (the Logos) as the Light and the Life of men. This is likewise the purpose of the author of this book (Joh 1:31). The preacher is merely the herald to point men to Christ.