John 1:1-5

John 1:1-5
A Women’s Lectionary 14

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In the beginningA wasB the Word,C and the Word was with God,D and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 

Notes on verses 1-2

A “beginning” = arche. From archomai (to begin or rule); from archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power). Properly, this is what is first. In a temporal sense, that is beginning or origin. It can also refer to the one who ranks first, i.e. king or ruler. So, it can also be magistrate, power, or principality. It can be used more generally for what is preeminent.
B “was” = eimi. This is to be or exist.
C “Word” = logos. From lego (to speak, tell, mention). This is word, statement, speech, analogy. It is a word that carries an idea or expresses a thought, a saying. It could refer to a person with a message or reasoning laid out in words. By implication, this could be a topic, line of reasoning, or a motive. It can be used for a divine utterance or as Word – Christ.
D “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.

3 All thingsE came into beingF through him, and without him not oneG thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,H and the life was the lightI of all people.J 

Notes on verses 3-4

E “all things” = pas. This is all or every.
F “came into being” = ginomai. This is to come into being, to happen, become, be born. It can be to emerge from one state or condition to another or is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth.
G “one” = heis. This is one, a person, only, some.
H “life” = zoe. From zao (to live, be alive). This is life including the vitality of humans, plants, and animals – it is life physical and spiritual and life everlasting.
I “light” = phos. From phao (to shine or make visible, especially with rays of light); from the same as phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is light, a source of light, fire, or radiance. This is light with specific reference to what it reveals. It is luminousness whether natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative.
J “people” = anthropos. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (become, seem, appear)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.

The light shinesK in the darkness,L and the darkness did not overcomeM it.

Notes on verse 5

K “shines” = phaino. Related to “light” in v4. See note I above.
L “darkness” = skotia. 16x in NT. From skotos (darkness literal or figurative – as moral or spiritual darkness, sin and what comes from it; obscurity); from skia (shadow, thick darkness, outline; figurative for a spiritual situation that is good or bad). This is darkness or dimness. Figuratively, it can be a spiritual darkness. This is obscurity in a literal or figurative sense.
M “overcome” = katalambano. 15x in NT. From kata (down, against, among, throughout) + lambano (active acceptance/taking of what is available or what has been offered; emphasizes the choice and action of the individual). This is to take hold of something with great intention for one’s own interest. It can be seize or arrest – grasping forcefully. Figuratively, it can also mean to comprehend, to win, to surprise, or to possess.


Image credit: “Screenshot of ESOcast 85” – a photo of the Milky Way by P. Horalek of ESO in 2016.

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