The term “word” is used in the NT only by John as a designation for Christ (1 John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). And this term epitomizes the dominant theme of his gospel (John 14:8–10). The apostle John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (ch. 1:1).
Definition
The “Word” (logos) in Greek means, “utterance,” “saying,” “speech,” and “account.” Logos is commonly used for both creative (Ps. 33:6; Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, etc.) and communicative (Jer. 1:4; Eze. 1:3; Amos 3:1) expressions of the divine thought and will. In the past, God has revealed His divine plans and purposes through these avenues.
The Son reveals the Father
Then, the apostle John adds that God has revealed Himself to His creation through the incarnation of His Son, which is the supreme and perfect revelation of Himself. “And the Word became 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” (John 1:14). Christ as “the Word”— came to “declare” the Father (v. 18) that all men should be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).
In Christ, was “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). Nevertheless, “in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren” (Heb. 2:17). The Son was one with the Father from the days of eternity. But He chose to leave the throne of the universe and step down to earth in order that He might dwell among us, and make us acquainted with His divine character.
Christ became a human to reveal the Father’s infinite love. He came to partake of our experiences, to leave us an example (John 13:15), to help us in temptation (Matthew 6:13), to die for our sins (John 3:16), and to represent us without blame before the Father (Heb. 2:14–17). The eternal Word, who had ever been with the Father, became Immanuel, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
