John 1 · Scofield
Book Introduction - John Read first chapter of John WRITER : The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John John 21:24 . This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained. DATE : The date of John's Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter. THEME : This is indicated both in the Prologue ( 1:1-14 ), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper ( 20:31 ), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as "the Christ, the Son of God" ( 20:31 ) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, "believed" and "life." The book is in seven natural divisions: Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ, 1:1-14. The witness of John the Baptist, 1:15-34. The public ministry of Christ, 1:35-12:50. The private ministry of Christ to His own, 13:1-17:26. The sacrifice of Christ, 18:1-19:42. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection, 20:1-31. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service, 21:1-25. The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years. Word Gr. "Logos" (arm. "Memra," used in the Targums, or Heb. paraphrases, for God). The Greek term means, (1) a thought or concept; (2) the expression or utterance of that thought. As a designation of Christ, therefore, Logos is peculiarly felicitous because, (1) in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective "thought" of God 1 Corinthians 1:24 ; Ephesians 3:11 ; Colossians 2:2,3 and, (2) He is from eternity, but especially in His incarnation, the utterance or expression of the Person, and "thought" of Deity John 1:3-5,9,14-18 ; 14:9-11 ; Colossians 2:9 . In the Being, Person, and work of Christ, Deity is told out.
comprehended Or, apprehended; lit. "laid not hold of it."
world kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield " Matthew 4:8 ")
He came i.e. He came unto his own things, and his own people received him not.
grace Grace. Summary: (1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man... not by works of righteousness which we have done" Titus 3:4,5 . It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Romans 3:21,22 ; 8:4 ; Philemon 3:9 . Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith ; John 1:17 ; Romans 10:4-10 . Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad ; Exodus 19:5 ; Ephesians 2:1-9 . Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift ; Deuteronomy 28:1-6 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; Romans 4:4,5 . (2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 3:24-26 4:24,25 . The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation, ; John 1:12,13 ; 3:36 ; Matthew 21:37 ; 22:24 ; John 15:22,25 ; Hebrews 1:2 ; 1 John 5:10-12 . The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27 . The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See "Apostasy" (See Scofield " 2 Timothy 3:1 ") 2 Timothy 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments. (3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Romans 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Romans 6:15 . See, for the other six dispensations: Innocence, (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ") Conscience, (See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ") Human Government, (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ") Promise, (See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ") Law, (See Scofield " Exodus 19:8 ") Kingdom, (See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ") .
hath seen God CF Genesis 32:20 ; Exodus 24:10 ; 33:18 ; Judges 6:22 ; 13:22 ; Revelation 22:4 . The divine essence, God, veiled in angelic form, and especially as incarnate in Jesus Christ, has been seen of men. ; Genesis 18:2,22 ; John 14:8,9 . declared Lit. led him forth, i.e. into full revelation. John 14:9 .
sins Sin. (See Scofield " Romans 3:23 ") .
Come The call to discipleship. Cf. Matthew 4:18-22 the call to service. tenth hour That was two hours before night.