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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 1:4 - 1:4
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
4. ἐν αὐτῷ ζωή. He was the well-spring of life, from which every form of life—physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, eternal,—flows.
Observe how frequently S. John’s thoughts overlap and run into one another. Creation leads on to life, and life leads on to light. Without life creation would be unintelligible; without light all but the lowest forms of life would be impossible.
ἦν. Two important MSS. (אD. with old Latin and old Syriac Versions) have ἐστίν; but the weight of authority is against this reading, which would not be in harmony with the context. The Apostle is not contemplating the Christian dispensation, but a period long previous to it. The group of authorities which supports ἐστίν has a tendency to insert interpretations as readings.
καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἦν τὸ φῶς. Not φῶς, but τὸ Φῶς, the one true Light, absolute Truth both intellectual and moral, free from ignorance and free from stain. The Source of Life is the Source of Light: He gives the power to know what is morally good.
τὸ φῶς τ. ἀν. Man shares life with all organic creatures: light, or Revelation, is for him alone; but for the whole race, male and female, Jew and Gentile (τῶν ἀνθρώπων). Luk 2:32. What is specially meant is the communication of Divine Truth before the Fall.