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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:6

There was a man, sent from ( παρά θεοῦ ) God, whose name was John. Observe the contrast between the ἐγένετο of John's appearance and the ἦν of the Logos, between the "man" John sent from God and the ( λογοσ σαρξ εγενετο ) "Word became flesh" of verse 14. At this point the evangelist touches on the temporal mission and effulgence of the true Light in the Incarnation; yet this paragraph deals with far more general characteristics and wider ranges of thought than the earthly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:6-8

The witness of the Baptist to the true Light. We now come to the historic manifestation of the Word. I. THE PERSONALITY OF THE BAPTIST . "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John." 1 . He was the offspring of pious parents, and his birth was due to miraculous Divine interference. 2 . He was a Nazarite in the ascetic aspect of his life. 3 . He was the last prophet of the Old Testament dispensation—the link between the prophets of the old and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:6-13

(4) The general manifestation of the revealing Logos. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:7

This man came (historic, ἦλθε ) for witness, that he might bear witness concerning the Light. The entire prophetic dispensation is thus characterized. That which the Baptist did, Malachi, Isaiah, Elijah, Hosea, Moses, had done in their day. He came, and by penetrating insight and burning word, by flashes of moral revelation and intense earnestness, "bare witness concerning the Light" which was ever shining into the darkness. His aim and theirs was to prevent the forces of darkness from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:8

A solemn warning is given, which forever discriminates the ministry of man from the eternal ministry of the Logos. He (John, and with him all the prophetic, Levitical, ascetic teachers in all ages) was not the Light, but [ he was or came ] that he might bear witness of the Light. The ἵνα depends upon some unexpressed verbal thought; for even in the passages where it stands alone ( John 9:3 ; John 13:18 ; John 14:31 ; John 15:25 ) the reference is not obscure to some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:9

(b) The illumination of the archetypal Light before incarnation. There are at least three grammatical translations of this verse. Either (1) with Meyer, we may give to ἦν the complete sense of existence, presence, and include in it the full predicate of the sentence; thus: "Existing, present (when John commenced his ministry), was the veritable Light which enlighteneth every man coming into the world." But the clause, "coming into the world," would here not only be superfluous, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:9

The true Light in its manifestation. I. THE NATURE OF THIS LIGHT . "There was the true Light." 1 . Christ was the true Light, as opposed to false or imperfect lights. He was the ideal Light, not subject to the vicissitudes of time and space. 2 . He was the true Light in opposition to ceremonial types and shadows. 3 . He was the true Light in opposition to all light that is borrowed from or communicated from another. II. THE EXTENT OF THIS LIGHT IN... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:9

The Divine daybreak. The evangelist writes as one who loves, admires, and venerates him of whom it is his office to inform his fellow men. He has one great figure to portray, one great name to exalt, one great heart to unfold. His language is such as would not be befitting were he heralding the advent even of a prophet or a saint. How bold, how beautiful, how impressive are his figures! John speaks of the Divine Word, uttering forth the thought and will of God in the hearing of mankind;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 1:10

Of him who was evermore coming into the world, it is said, In the world he was, and the world was made (came into being) through him, and the world recognized him not . The κόσμος is a term specially used by St. John to denote the ordered whole of the universe, viewed apart from God (see Introduction). Sometimes this is emphasized by the pronoun, " This world," when it is contrasted with the higher and heavenly "order" to which the Lord's personality belonged, both before and after... read more

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