Commentary on the Four Gospel Books
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
G003 The Word Is Life and Light
John 1:4-5

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All New Testament verses quoted in this article are from the English Majority Text Version, and Old Testament verses are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

John 1:4-5

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not apprehend it.

Life is a mystery. Light is also a mystery. A mystery is something we experience but cannot fully comprehend; it is a truth beyond ordinary human understanding until God opens our spiritual mind so that we can understand.

Regarding life, scientists have proposed at least 123 definitions of life. In 2011, a Russian geneticist named Edward Trifonov summarized these 123 definitions into one definition: Life is self-reproduction with variations. However, there is an opposing view pointing out that a computer virus also performs self-reproduction with variations, but it is not alive [1]. Up to now, scientists still do not have a unified definition of life.

Scientists also admit that science does not know where life comes from but can only observe the characteristics of living things. According to science, living things have seven characteristics [2], as follows:

Organization: Living things are highly organized, meaning they contain specialized parts that work together. All living bodies are made up of one or more cells. The cell is the basic unit of life.

Metabolism: Life depends on a large number of interrelated chemical reactions. These reactions enable organisms to perform tasks such as movement or hunting, growth, reproduction, and maintaining body structure. Organisms must use energy and consume nutrients to carry out these chemical reactions and sustain life. The total biochemical reactions occurring in an organism are called its metabolic processes.

Homeostasis: Homeostasis means the internal environment. Organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain a relatively narrow range of conditions necessary for cell function. For example, our body temperature needs to be kept relatively close to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Maintaining a stable internal environment even when facing changes in the external environment is called homeostasis.

Growth: Living organisms undergo a regulated growth process. Individual cells increase in size, and multicellular organisms accumulate many cells through the process of cell division. Each of us started as a single cell, and now there are tens of trillions of cells in the body. Growth depends on anabolic pathways that produce large, complex molecules such as proteins and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information, governing all the activities of living organisms [3].

Reproduction: Living organisms can reproduce to create new organisms. Reproduction can be asexual, involving a single parent organism, or sexual, requiring two parents.

Response: Living organisms exhibit “irritability,” meaning they respond to stimuli or changes in their environment. For example, people quickly pull their hands away from a flame, many plants turn toward the sun, and single-celled organisms can move toward nutrients or away from harmful chemicals.

Evolution: Populations of organisms can undergo evolution, meaning the genetic makeup of the population can change over time. In some cases, evolution involves natural selection, where a genetic trait, such as darker fur color or a narrower beak shape, enables an organism to survive and reproduce better in a specific environment. Over many generations, a genetic trait that provides a physical advantage can become increasingly common within a population, making that population better adapted to its environment. This process is called adaptation.

However, these are only the characteristics of life that scientists recognize while observing living things in the physical world. Scientists do not know the source of life. The source of life certainly must have other characteristics. Because scientists do not know the source of life, they cannot observe or identify the characteristics of the source of life. Moreover, there are living things in the spiritual world as well. But scientists either do not believe in the spiritual world or know nothing about it, so they also cannot observe the characteristics of life in the spiritual world.

Regarding light, scientists divide it into two types: the kind visible to the human eye and the kind invisible to it. Visible light is the light reflected off objects so that our eyes can see them. Invisible light can pass through objects and affect living beings, such as X-rays. Science knows that light is the movement of fundamental particles called ″light particles″ (photons). Photons are produced when atoms are energized.

Atoms are material particles that make up objects in the physical world. Each atom has one or more negatively charged electrons orbiting its nucleus along fixed paths. This is similar to the moon orbiting the earth or artificial satellites orbiting the earth. Each electron occupies a natural orbit. When energy is supplied to an atom, its electrons move to higher orbits. A light particle is created whenever an electron in a higher-than-normal orbit falls back to its normal orbit. During the transition from a higher energy state to a normal energy state, the electron emits a light particle, which is a packet of energy with very distinct characteristics. The frequency or color of the light particle exactly matches the distance the electron falls [4].

Physical light helps us see things and perceive the world around us so that we can act appropriately for life. Similarly, the light that helps us understand the spiritual world to live pleasing to the Lord and bring the greatest benefit to us is called light in the Holy Scriptures. We understand that this is spiritual light.

In this article, we explore the meaning of John 1:4-5 and can recognize that John 1:4 is a declaration about the source of life and a definition of life from the perspective of humanity.

Through the Holy Scriptures, we have learned that humans are beings with both a spiritual part and a physical part. In other words, humans are spiritual beings (souls) with a spiritual form called the spirit and a physical form called the flesh. Therefore, the definition of life in John 1:4 applies to humans both physically and spiritually.

″In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.″

The pronoun ″He″ in verse 4 refers to God in the person of the Word.

The phrase ″In Him was life″ tells us that the source of life is God the Word. This verse also implies that He Himself is life. In Him, life always exists; life comes from Himself, so He is life.

After the Word became flesh, He affirmed that He is life. Not only is He life, but He is also the resurrection. For He, in the person of humanity, died and rose again. He has the authority to give anyone who believes in Him eternal life after death:

″I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.″ (John 11:25)

″I am the way, the truth, and the life.″ (John 14:6)

In Genesis chapter 1, we see that through the words spoken by God, all living things came into existence. Because life is in Him, because He is life, He created all living things.

Physically, life has seven characteristics as recognized by scientists. Nevertheless, physical life exists in many levels and forms, depending on the species God created.

Spiritually, for mankind, life is eternal existence in the knowledge of God as the true God and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom He sent to bring salvation to mankind.

″And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.″ (John 17:3)

God the Word is life, so He Himself is also the light of mankind. The light referred to here is spiritual light:

″I am the light of the world. He that follows Me shall by no means walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.″ (John 8:12)

″While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.″ (John 9:5)

″I have come as a light into the world, so that whoever believes in Me may not abide in darkness.″ (John 12:46)

The life of God is His self-existent and eternal life.

The life of God is also light because within God’s existence is knowledge. God has knowledge of Himself and of all things He created.

The life of God is always the light of mankind because God’s existence forever radiates knowledge of God to mankind.

For mankind, spiritual light is the knowledge of God and God’s will; spiritual darkness is the lack of knowledge of God and God’s will.

Mankind has spiritual light when in fellowship with God. Mankind is in fellowship with God when they sincerely and wholeheartedly trust Him and obey Him. When mankind does not trust or obey God, they are separated from fellowship with God. Their knowledge of God is also cut off. This is spiritual darkness.

God the Word, in the person of mankind, named Jesus and bearing the title Christ, is the One who reveals to mankind God and God’s will. He also reveals to mankind the lost condition of mankind because of unbelief and disobedience to God; the salvation plan the God has given to mankind; and the Kingdom of the God. Therefore, He is the light of the world. Whoever believes His teachings comes to know God and God’s will. That person will immediately repent of sin and receive the God’s salvation. Within that person is life and light from God, because that person has been recreated by God into a new creation.

Physically, light helps living beings preserve life through the effect of light on the chemicals within their bodies and helps most animals perceive the physical world to act accordingly. Physical light radiates from nebulae (clouds where stars form), from the sun, moon, and stars, all by the spoken word of God in the person of the Word. All of them reflect His glory, displaying His existence and power. Because He is the light, the source of knowledge. Even in the case of moonlight reflecting the light of the sun, it is an indirect form of reflecting the glory of God.

″The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.″ (Psalms 19:1-3).

Although John 1:4 tells us that God the Word is life and the source of life and is light, the source of knowledge about God for mankind, we understand that not only the person of God the Word but also God in the person of the Father and God in the person of the Spirit are the same. For this is the nature of God.

″And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not apprehend it.″

The darkness spoken of here is spiritual darkness, which is the lack of knowledge of God or the rejection of that knowledge. After mankind sinned, the fellowship between mankind and God was broken, also called spiritual death. Spiritual darkness is the condition of all mankind since mankind sinned. When God the Word became flesh, He preached about the God and the God’s salvation to mankind. His preaching is the light shining in the darkness. In other words, the knowledge of God, through the preaching of Christ, is shining into the minds that have been darkened by sin in mankind.

In the original Greek of the Bible, the verb ″apprehend″ (G2638) means to seize in the hand in order to possess, to control, to direct, or to destroy.

″The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not apprehend it″ means that the darkness cannot seize, cannot capture, cannot control, and cannot extinguish the light. The knowledge of God and the salvation plan of God proclaimed by the Lord Jesus in this sinful world is covered by spiritual darkness. This darkness is in the mind of every person, but it cannot overcome the light of the Gospel of Salvation. Therefore, whoever truly wants to escape that darkness and hears the Gospel of Salvation of the Lord will immediately have the Gospel of Salvation shine on them, helping them to see that they are sinners, helping them to see God’s salvation, and helping them to see the Lord Jesus as their Savior. When they willingly receive that salvation from the Lord, they continue to see all other aspects of God through His Word.

When physical light shines into a place of physical darkness, it helps us see everything that was previously hidden by the darkness. Similarly, when spiritual light shines into our minds, which have been covered by the darkness of sin, it helps us see all the truth about God, about humanity, and about the Gospel. Rather, they either understand and believe the Gospel, or understand but do not believe the Gospel, or refuse to hear the Gospel.

Before the Gospel was preached, the knowledge of the God was already placed by Himself in the mind of every person:

Romans 1:18-21

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

19 Because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God has shown it to them.

20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, both His eternal power and Divinity, so that they are without excuse.

21 Because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, or give thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.

Specifically for the Vietnamese people, the concept of ″Ông Trời″ (Mr. Heaven) is the understanding of the God, knowing that there is a Supreme and Absolute Being in heaven who created all things and rules over all things. Mr. Heaven is worthy of worship and gratitude. Mr. Heaven governs by rewarding good and punishing evil. There is a proverb: ″The net of heaven is vast and wide, but nothing escapes.″ Because of this, the Vietnamese set up an altar outside, in front of their house, to worship Mr. Heaven, called the ″Mr. Heaven’s altar.″ The altar is basically made of wood, consisting of a pole about 1.5 meters tall, with a square board on top, each side about 0.4 meters long. On the altar there is always an incense bowl for placing incense sticks to offer to Mr. Heaven. The Vietnamese also know to light three incense sticks to worship Mr. Heaven every evening after sunset, which, according to the Bible, marks the beginning of a new day. The incense offering on the altar is usually accompanied by prayers for peace and blessings from Heaven. Could the three incense sticks symbolize prayers offered to the Triune God? The Bible uses the image of incense smoke as a symbol of the prayers of God’s people offered up to God (Revelation 5:8).

Regrettably, over time, the concept of Mr. Heaven has gradually been infused with superstition and superstition. The Mr. Heaven’s altar has gradually lost its simplicity, becoming elaborate; sometimes a cup of plain water, a bowl of rice, and fruits are added to the altar. The prayers offered when lighting incense have also been fashioned according to superstitious beliefs.

This is not only true for the Vietnamese people but also for other nations: the true concept of God, of the Lord God, has gradually been mixed with myths and superstition by the devil, causing it to become distorted.

In the love and eternal purpose of God for mankind, after mankind sinned and was separated from God, He granted salvation to mankind. When the appointed time came, God in the person of the Word came into the world, took on the human nature, with the name Jesus and the title Christ, to reveal the truth about the God and about the salvation that the God granted to all mankind, and to carry out the work of redeeming mankind from the consequences of sin. He is always the life and always the light of mankind. Apart from Him, mankind has no salvation and no knowledge of God. More importantly, He is also the resurrection and the eternal life. Therefore, whoever believes in His Gospel will pass from death into eternal life in the Eternal Kingdom of the God.

″Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.″ (John 5:24).

″We know that we have passed over from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love his brother abides in death.″ (1 John 3:14).

Thanks to the Living Word of God, we know that the source of life is God Himself—that is, the self-existence of God. The self-existence of God radiates His glory, revealing Himself; therefore, life is also the light for mankind. For mankind, life is the creation of God together with the knowledge and acceptance of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. For mankind, the light is the awareness of God and His holy will, revealed through Christ.

Thanks be to God! For the love and grace He has given to mankind.

We conclude this lesson here.

May the Holy Spirit guide us into all the truths of God’s Word (John 16:13). May the Word of God sanctify us (John 17:17). May the Faithful *God of Peace Himself sanctify our spirit, soul, and body entirely, without blame (1 Thessalonians 5:23), at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Beloved Savior. Amen!

Timothy Christian Huynh
Priscilla Christian Huynh
08/27/2022

Notes:

[1] https://www.quantamagazine.org/what-is-life-its-vast-diversity-defies-easy-definition-20210309/

[2] https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/what-is-biology/a/what-is-life

[3] https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA

[4] https://science.howstuffworks.com/light7.htm

About Using “*God”, “the God” and “holy spirit”

Wherever the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible use a definite article with a noun to denote GOD, we translate it into English as *God or “the God” to refer to God the Father. We understand that “God,” without a definite article, was used as a collective noun for all and any of the three Persons of the Godhead. And “God,” with a definite article, was used to refer to God the Father.

In the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the term “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) without the definite article “the” (το) is used to denote the power of God, which is given by God the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit” (το πνευματι το αγιω) is God, and “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) is the power that comes from God.