The Johannine Christ as Divine Word in Theology
The designation of Jesus Christ as the "Word" (Greek: Logos) is a central theme in the writings of John, particularly in the Gospel of John and 1 John [2]. John 1:1 states, "From the first he was the Word, and the Word was in relation with God and was God" [1]. This passage is considered foundational for understanding the divine nature of Christ [2].
The concept of Christ as the Word emphasizes his role as the revealer of God. As Easton's Bible Dictionary explains, Christ's office is to make God known, as "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18) [2]. This title underscores Christ's pre-existence and co-eternality with God, asserting that "the Word was with God" and "was God" from the beginning [1, 2]. Furthermore, the creation of all things is attributed to the Word [2].
The early verses of John's Gospel have been highly regarded throughout Christian history. Augustine, through his friend Simplicius, noted that a Platonic philosopher considered these verses "worthy to be written in letters of gold" [3]. Francis Junius, a Reformed scholar, recounted how reading these verses profoundly impacted his spiritual journey, observing "such a divinity in the argument" [3].
The Word is also understood as the source of life and light. John 1:4 states, "In him was life," which John Gill interprets as a divine, original, and independent life, distinguishing Christ from the written word and affirming his living Godhead [9]. This life is also connected to the eternal life and salvation declared in the Gospel [4]. The Word's manifestation "in the flesh" (John 1:14) is crucial, as it signifies the incarnation of this divine Word [2, 4].
Beyond the Gospel of John, the apostle John reiterates this understanding in his first epistle. John Gill, commenting on 1 John 1:4, notes that the apostle writes "concerning the deity and eternity of Christ, the Word and concerning the truth of his humanity, and the manifestation of him in the flesh" [4]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 1 John 4:2, connects the Spirit of God with the teaching that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who has "come in the flesh" [5].
The identification of Christ as the Word also appears in other biblical texts, such as Hebrews, where the "word of God" is understood by John Gill to refer to Christ, the "essential Word of God," who is "quick and powerful" and a discerning judge [7]. Similarly, the Targum on Psalm 97:12 interprets "rejoice in the Lord" as rejoicing "in the word of the Lord," referring to Christ [8]. True worship, as described in John 4:24, occurs "in spirit and in truth," with Jesus Christ himself being identified as the Truth [6].
Sources
- John “John 1:1 (BBE) — From the first he was the Word, and the Word was in relation with God and was God.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word, The — (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God " and "was God," and was the Creator of all things (comp. Ps. 33: 6; 107:20; 119:89; 147:18; Isa. 40:8).”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 1:1: Austin says (de Civitate Dei, lib. 10, cap. 29) that his friend Simplicius told him he had heard a Platonic philosopher say that these first verses of St. John's gospel were worthy to be written in letters of gold. The learned Francis Junius, in the account he gives of his own life, tells how he was in his youth infected with loose notions in religion, and by the grace of God was wonderfully recovered by reading accidentally these verses in a bible which his father had designedly laid in his way. He says that he observed such a divinity in the argument, such an autho”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 1:4: And these things write we unto you,.... Concerning the deity and eternity of Christ, the Word and concerning the truth of his humanity, and the manifestation of him in the flesh; and concerning that eternal life and salvation which is declared in the Gospel to be in him; and concerning the saints' fellowship one with another, and with God the Father, and with Jesus Christ: that your joy may be full; meaning either their spiritual joy in this life, which has Christ for its object, and is increased by the consideration of his proper deity, his incarnation and mediation”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 4:2: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God - We know that the man who teaches that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, and that he is come in the flesh, is of God - is inspired by the Divine Spirit; for no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost.”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:11: For the word of God is quick and powerful,.... This is to be understood of Christ, the essential Word of God; for the Word of God was a known name of the Messiah among the Jews; See Gill on Joh 1:1 and therefore the apostle makes use of it when writing to them: and the words are introduced as a reason why care should be taken, that men fall not off from the Gospel, because Christ, the author, sum, and substance of it, is the living God, omnipotent and omniscient; for not a thing, but a person is spoken of, who is a Judge, and a critical discerner of the secrets of me”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 97:12: Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous,.... In the word of the Lord, as the Targum; in Christ, the essential Word, in his person, the greatness, glory, and fulness of it; in his righteousness, and in salvation by him, and that always; see Phi 4:4, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness; of his essential holiness, as a divine Person, in which he is glorious, and which appears in all that he has done; and of the holiness of his nature and life, as man and Mediator, which are imputed to his people for their justification; and at the remembrance of that holiness”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 1:4: In him was life,.... The Persic version reads in the plural number, "lives". There was life in the word with respect to himself; a divine life, the same with the life of the Father and of the Spirit; and is in him, not by gift, nor by derivation or communication; but originally, and independently, and from all eternity: indeed he lived before his incarnation as Mediator, and Redeemer. Job knew him in his time, as his living Redeemer; but this regards him as the word and living God, and distinguishes him from the written word, and shows that he is not a mere idea in the d”