John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. A fourfold contrast. I. In respect of ESSENCE. Word and flesh. The first suggests pure spirituality, power, eternity; the second materiality, weakness, mortality. II. In respect of EXISTENCE. In the beginning the Word was. In time the Word was made flesh. The eternal becomes an infant of days. He who was in the beginning, and had.no beginning, has also an existence numbered by every year that passes away. III. In respect of ASSOCIATION. "With God"; "among us." In perfect holiness and blessedness; acquainted with grief and beset by sin. In the bosom of the Eternal Father, receiving and returning infinite love; and in the arms of a human mother, soon to taste the hatred and cruelty of man. IV. In respect of NATURE. The supreme contrast. He who was God became man. In man are united spirit and matter, angel and brute, seraph and clay. But what extremes meet in Christ! Creator and creature, eternity and time; and these in unbroken union. (W. Perkins.) Parallel Verses KJV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.WEB: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
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