John 1:4

 

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 1:4 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:4 King James Bible (KJV)
 
In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.
John 1:4 New English Translation (NET)
 
In Him
The phrase "In Him" refers to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, as introduced in the opening verses of the Gospel of John. The Greek term "ἐν αὐτῷ" (en autō) emphasizes the centrality and preeminence of Christ in the divine plan. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding of Jesus as the locus of divine activity and presence. Theologically, it underscores the belief that all spiritual blessings and life originate from Christ, affirming His deity and integral role in creation and redemption.
 
was life
The Greek word for "life" here is "ζωή" (zōē), which signifies not just biological existence but a profound, eternal quality of life that is both physical and spiritual. This life is intrinsic to Jesus, indicating that He is the source and sustainer of all life. In the historical context of John's Gospel, this assertion counters Gnostic beliefs that separated the spiritual from the material, affirming that true life is found in the incarnate Word.
 
and that life
The repetition of "life" emphasizes its significance and the unique quality of life that Jesus imparts. This life is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible reality that Jesus embodies and offers to humanity. Theologically, it points to the transformative power of Christ's life, which is available to all who believe in Him.
 
was the light of men
The metaphor of "light" (Greek: "φῶς," phōs) is rich with biblical and historical connotations. Light symbolizes truth, purity, and divine revelation, contrasting with darkness, which represents ignorance and evil. In the context of John's Gospel, Jesus as the "light of men" signifies His role in illuminating the truth of God to humanity, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance. This imagery is rooted in Old Testament themes, such as the light of God's presence in the tabernacle and the prophetic anticipation of a light for the Gentiles. The phrase underscores the universal scope of Christ's mission, offering enlightenment and salvation to all people.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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In him was life - This is referring to Jesus Christ. The phrase "in him" signifies that Jesus is the source or embodiment of life. This life is not just physical life but spiritual life, eternal life, or the essence of living in connection with God.
 
And that life was the light of all mankind - The "life" in Jesus is described as "light." Light in this context often symbolizes knowledge, truth, guidance, purity, and salvation in biblical literature.
 
Light of all mankind implies that this life or light is universal, available to all people, not just a select few. It suggests that through Jesus, enlightenment, understanding, and salvation are offered to everyone. This light dispels darkness (sin, ignorance, death), bringing revelation and hope.
 
Theologically, this verse is profound:
 
Christological: It underscores Jesus' divinity and his role as the life-giver, highlighting his pre-existence and divine nature as described in the broader context of John's Gospel, where Jesus is introduced as the Word (Logos) who was with God in the beginning.
 
Soteriological: It points to Jesus' mission to bring salvation ("light") to humanity, offering life in its fullest sense - both now and for eternity.
 
Cosmological: By stating that this life/light is for all mankind, it speaks to the inclusivity of Christ's message across all cultures and peoples, challenging any form of exclusivity in spiritual matters.
 
In practical terms, for believers, this verse can be seen as an invitation to live in the light of Christ, influencing one's actions, ethics, and worldview with the values of truth, love, and life that Jesus embodies. It's a call to recognize and embrace the life offered through Jesus, which illuminates the path to living in accordance with God's will.
 
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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 divine mind, but a truly divine person: and there was life in Christ the word, with respect to others; the fountain of natural life is in him, he is the efficient cause, and preserver of it; whether vegetative, animal, or rational; and proves him to be truly God, and that he existed before his incarnation; since creatures, who have received such a life from him, did: and spiritual life was also in him; all his elect are dead in trespasses and sins, and cannot quicken themselves. Christ has procured life for them, and gives it to them, and implants it in them; a life of sanctification is from him; and a life of justification is upon him, and of faith is by him; all the comforts of a spiritual life, and all things appertaining to it, are from him, and he maintains, and preserves it. Eternal life is in him, and with him; not the purpose of it only, nor the promise of it barely, but the gift of it itself; which was granted in consequence of his asking it, and which he had by way of stipulation; and hence has a right and power to bestow it: now, this being in him proves him to be the true God, and shows us where life is to be had, and the safety and security of it:
 
and the life was the light of men; the life which was in, and by the word, was, with respect to men, a life of light, or a life attended with light: by which is meant, not a mere visive faculty, receptive of the sun's light, but rational knowledge and understanding; for when Christ, the word, breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a living soul, he filled him with rational light and knowledge. Adam had a knowledge of God; of his being, and perfections; of the persons in the Trinity; of his relation to God, dependence on him, and obligation to him; of his mind and will; and knew what it was to have communion with him. He knew much of himself, and of all the creatures; this knowledge was natural and perfect in its kind, but loseable; and different from that which saints now have of God, through Christ, the Mediator; and since this natural light was from Christ, the word, as a Creator, he must be the eternal God. The Socinians are not willing to allow this sense, but say that Christ is the light of men, by preaching the heavenly doctrine, and by the example of his holy life; but hereby he did not enlighten every man that cometh into the world; the greatest part of men, before the preaching, and example of Christ, sat in darkness; and the greatest part of the Jews remained in darkness, notwithstanding his preaching, and example; and the patriarchs that were enlightened under the former dispensation, were not enlightened this way: it will be owned, that all spiritual and supernatural light, which any of the sons of men have had, since the fall, was from Christ, from whom they had their spiritual life; even all spiritual light in conversion, and all after degrees of light; through him they enjoyed the light of God's countenance, and had the light of joy and gladness here, and of glory hereafter.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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Cross References:
 
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
 
1 John 5:11-12
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
 
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
 
1 John 1:1-2
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.