In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
(John 1:1-2)
The Word
in the above passage in the King James’ version of the Bible is a rendering of the Greek word Logos
and has a much greater significance than the English translation implies.
Strong’s concordance gives the meaning of Logos as, “From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; ...” and he gives G3004 (“Lego”) as, “A primary verb; properly to “lay” forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; ...])
The English word “Logic” is derived from the same source and also implies this progressive unfolding of a plan or purpose. The purpose of the creation is defined by Isaiah,For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
(Isa. 45:18)
God is the author of all life, Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: ...
(1 Tim. 6:16)
God did not create man to inhabit the world in ignorance of Him and his words but, right from beginning, He gave mankind a free will to either obey or disobey His words. God has no pleasure in death, even of the wicked (Eze. 33:11) and urges people to choose life (Deut. 30:19) and, to those who continue in His love, this will be immortal life after the resurrection. (see 1 Cor. 15:50-54)
Our first parents failed the test of faith and obedience and, in God’s mercy, were expelled from paradise so that they could not eat of the tree of life and so live forever with a disobedient nature (which would have been disastrous for them and their progeny). Following their fall, a prophecy of conflict between good and evil was given, personified by theseed of the woman
and the seed of the serpent
(Gen. 3:15). That good would eventually triumph over evil is typified by the seed of the woman
who would suffer a flesh wound (in the heel) whereas the seed of the serpent
would suffer a fatal head wound. We have all inherited this propensity to disobey and are, by nature at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7), however, those who turn to God and keep His commandments, are classed as the woman’s seed (Rev. 12:17). Such have not only to contend with the disobedient and unbelieving in the world but also suffer in the flesh due to their very nature, but this need not be fatal: the promise of eternal live is to those who overcome. (e.g. Rev. 2:7). The seed of the woman
also clearly points specifically to Christ the redeemer and that His death would not be the end of Him (Psa. 16:10) . (Seed both in English and Hebrew can be singular or plural.)
The subsequent unfolding of God’s purpose is demonstrated throughout Scripture. Examples abound of the faith of the seed of the woman
being tested; and the keeping alive of the hope of God’s promise through their obedience as a witness against the hostility of the depraved world of unbelievers.
Paul gives a concise summary of the unfolding of His purpose for the redemption of the faithful,For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming...
(1 Cor 15:21-23).
Retuning to John chapter 1 we read, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth
(v.14).
It is clear from the above passage that The Logos
applies to the Lord Jesus Christ as central to God’s purpose, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
(Gal. 4:4-7). During his ministry on earth The Lord Jesus Christ acknowledged that he wasn't perfect: when, in reply to one who addressed him as Good Master, he said, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments
. (Matt. 19:17), advice which Christ followed all his life to perfection and remained sinless, ...for sin is the transgression of the law
(1 John 3:4) .
Thus, like all the faithful, even the Son of God had to endure and overcome temptations, Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted... Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(Heb. 2:17-18, 5:8-9)
Following Christ’s victory over sin and death, the evangelists write to encourage believers,
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(1 John 3:2), Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(2 Peter 1:4)
In the meantime, the faithful await the return of the Lord, approximately 2000 years after the apostles saw Him ascend into heaven, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
(Acts 1:11).
After Christ’s return, and their redemption, those who have kept the faith during their lives will rejoice as prophesied, And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(Rev. 5:9-10... 20:4).
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all. enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all
(1 Cor. 15:23-27).
This final clause defines the whole purpose of God, that God may be all in all/Q>
, which is precisely what is said in the end clause of John 1:1, where I here render Logos
as Purpose
.
In the beginning was the Purpose, and the Purpose was with God, and the Purpose was God.
©2020 Martin Allen Cragg