I
am writing this edition a little unsure of myself. On one instance, I
think learning about the Bible, and sharing our thoughts on the Bible
communally is an extremely good idea. On the other side, I tend to
have a bit of a big head about my knowledge and ability to read
between the lines and I hate doing anything without pure reasons.
That
being said, we are all human, and I'm never going to have completely
pure reasons for anything. Well not on my own anyways. So, here is a
Bible study I did on John 1. I hope you like it. I hope it inspires
you to delve deeper into the Bible. I hope you also know that these
are my opinions and should be taken as such. I tried to make sure the
personal thoughts were pretty obviously apart from the words of John.
The
web site I used to help me gleen information was:
http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm
I
hope you enjoy.
Here
is John 1:1-18
Logos:
spoken word
Katelaben:
Down-Got; Grasped, overtaken
Para:
Beside
phOtizei:
IS-LIGHTenING; is-enlightening: 1. give information to somebody: to
give clarifying information to somebody 2. free somebody from
ignorance: to free somebody from ignorance, prejudice, or
superstition
exousian:
authority; right
In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He
was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all
things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all
mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has not overcome[a]
it. Side note: These are fighting words. Much
of the time we sideways think (like in Star Wars) that evil is
stronger than good. In here it doesn’t say evil doesn’t have a
foothold, but it does say that it hasn’t overtaken what is good. In
a very poetic way it is saying have hope for good is stronger than
evil and evil will not overcome good.
6 There
was a man sent from God whose name was
John. Side note: the word which is translated
here into “sent from” is more accurately translated into
“Beside”. As in, God sent John to work beside himself. In other
words God sent someone to work with him. Interesting huh? 7 He
came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through
him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the
light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The
true light that gives light to everyone
was coming into the world. Side note: it seems
a better translation would be to enlighten everyone as in to clarify
and free from ignorance. This poetry makes a lot more sense now.
10 He was in the world, and though the world
was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He
came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God— 13 children born
not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God. Side note: This seems to also
be able to be translated such: “He gave them the authority of
children of God” In ancient times kings had a signet ring. If the
king gave said signet ring to another, they gained their authority
much like in Esther. I’m thinking that it works the same way with
us. We don’t have the physical power of God but we can move
mountains because we have been given the authority of children of
God. The spirit world sits up and listens. This means we are
definitely not pansies.
14 The
Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his
glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
15 (John
testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I
spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me
because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his
fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and
truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever
seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b]
is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Last thoughts: We
often say things like the Trinity. Three beings one person. How this
works is a bit of a fuddle. From reading this, here is my thought.
If “word” is
Logos which means the spoken word or divine will, and that “word”
became flesh, as in Jesus, than Jesus was the devine will of God
placed into flesh and blood and sent out to enlighten the world as to
who God is. Thought provoking huh?
Good job Heather, I look forward to future posts.
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