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John 1:4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/43_Jhn_01_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:4 - The Beginning" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In him was life, and that life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />In him was life; and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />In him was life; and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In him was life, and that life brought light to humanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In him was life, and the life was the light of humanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />In him was life; and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In him was life, and the life was the light of men. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the light of men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In him was life, and the life was the light of men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In him was life; and the life was the light of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In him was life, and the life was the light of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Life was in Him, and Life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The life was in him, and the life is the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />In him was The Life and The Life is The Light of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />In him was life, and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the light of the men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />In him was life; and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the Life was produc'd in him, and the Life was the Light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />In Him was Life; and the Life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/1-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=17" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Beginning</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">In</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōē (N-NFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōē (N-NFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5457.htm" title="5457: phōs (N-NNS) -- Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.">light</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of men.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">5</span>The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">1 John 5:11-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">1 John 1:1-2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-26.htm">John 5:26</a></span><br />For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-4.htm">Colossians 3:4</a></span><br />When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-20.htm">1 John 5:20</a></span><br />And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a></span><br />The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-21.htm">Romans 5:21</a></span><br />so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-10.htm">2 Timothy 1:10</a></span><br />And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a></span><br />For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a></span><br />Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-3.htm">Genesis 1:3-4</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. / And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">In him was life; and the life was the light of men.</p><p class="hdg">him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/5-21.htm">John 5:21,26</a></b></br> For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth <i>them</i>; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a></b></br> Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></b></br> Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.</p><p class="hdg">the life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-8.htm">John 1:8,9</a></b></br> He was not that Light, but <i>was sent</i> to bear witness of that Light… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></b></br> Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/9-5.htm">John 9:5</a></b></br> As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-3.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/luke/24-46.htm">Life</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-10.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/john/3-15.htm">Life</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of the Gospel of John, "life" often refers to both physical and spiritual life. The concept of life in Christ is foundational, as seen in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>, where God breathes life into man. Jesus is portrayed as the Creator (<a href="/john/1-3.htm">John 1:3</a>), and thus, the origin of life itself. This aligns with <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a>, which states that all things were created through Him and for Him. Theologically, this underscores the belief in Jesus as the sustainer of life, both in the natural and spiritual realms.<p><b>and that life was the light of men</b><br>The imagery of light is significant throughout Scripture, symbolizing purity, truth, and divine revelation. In the cultural context of the time, light was a powerful metaphor for knowledge and understanding, contrasting with darkness, which represented ignorance and evil. This phrase suggests that the life found in Jesus brings enlightenment to humanity, revealing the truth of God and His salvation plan. <a href="/psalms/36-9.htm">Psalm 36:9</a> states, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light," highlighting the connection between life and light. Jesus later declares Himself as the "light of the world" (<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>), fulfilling prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a>, which speaks of a great light shining on those living in darkness. This light is not only guidance but also the moral and spiritual illumination that leads to eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, referred to as "Him," who embodies life and light.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Gospel of John, who presents Jesus as the Word made flesh.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a></b><br>The context of the opening chapter of John, which parallels the creation account in Genesis, emphasizing Jesus' role in creation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/light.htm">Light</a></b><br>A recurring theme in the Gospel of John, symbolizing truth, purity, and divine revelation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/humanity.htm">Humanity</a></b><br>Referred to as "men," who are the recipients of the life and light that Jesus provides.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_source_of_life.htm">The Source of Life</a></b><br>Jesus is the origin and sustainer of all life, both physical and spiritual. Recognizing Him as the source of life leads to a deeper relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/light_as_revelation.htm">Light as Revelation</a></b><br>The light of Christ reveals truth and dispels darkness. Believers are called to walk in this light, living lives that reflect His truth and purity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_life_in_christ.htm">Eternal Life in Christ</a></b><br>True life, both now and eternally, is found in Jesus. This life is not just existence but a quality of life that is abundant and fulfilling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_believers.htm">The Role of Believers</a></b><br>As recipients of Christ's light, believers are called to be light-bearers in the world, sharing the gospel and living out their faith visibly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_christ.htm">Transformation through Christ</a></b><br>Encountering the life and light of Jesus transforms individuals, leading to spiritual growth and maturity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_his_life_the_light_of_men.htm">Was His Life the Light of Men?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus_go_to_jerusalem.htm">Was His Life the Light of Men?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_be_salt_and_light_in_the_world.htm">How can you be salt and light in the world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_john_3_14's_claim_lack_proof.htm">How does 1 John 3:14’s statement about passing from death to life through love hold up against the lack of any scientific or historical proof for this transformation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">In him was life.</span>--The creation, the calling into existence life in its varied forms, leads up to the source of this life. It is in the Word by original being, while of the highest creature made "in the image of God" we are told that God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm" title="And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.">Genesis 2:7</a>).<p>"Life" has here no limitation, and is to be understood in its widest sense; the life of the body, even of organisms which we commonly think of as inanimate, the life of the soul, the life of the spirit; life in the present, so far as there is communion with the eternal source of life; life in the future, when the idea shall be realised and the communion be complete.<p><span class= "bld">Was.</span>--This is in the Greek the same verb of existence that we have had in <a href="/context/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.">John 1:1-2</a>, and is different from the word in <a href="/john/1-3.htm" title="All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.">John 1:3</a>. Comp. Notes on <a href="/john/1-6.htm" title="There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.">John 1:6</a>, and <a href="/john/8-58.htm" title="Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.">John 8:58</a>. It places us, then, at the same starting point of time. The Word was ever life, and from the first existence of any creature became a source of life to others. But the "was" of the first clause of this verse should not be pressed, for we are not quite certain that the original text contained it. Two of our oldest MSS. have "is," which is supported by other evidence, and is not in itself an improbable reading. The meaning in this case would be "in the Word there ever is life." Creation is not merely a definite act. There is a constant development of the germs implanted in all the varied forms of being, and these find their sustaining power in the one central source of life. The thought will meet us again in <a href="/john/1-17.htm" title="For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.">John 1:17</a>; but see especially the expression, "upholding all things by the word of his power" (<a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm" title="Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:">Hebrews 1:3</a>, Note). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <p><span class="note_emph">(a)</span> <span class="accented">The Life</span>, and therefore inclusive of the fact that the Logos always has been and now is <p><span class="note_emph">(b)</span> <span class="accented">the Light</span> of men. <span class="cmt_word">In him was</span> <span class="cmt_word">life</span>. "Life" in all its fulness of meaning - that grand addition to things which confers upon them all their significance for men. There is one impassable chasm which neither history, nor science, nor philosophy can span, viz. that between nothing and something. The evangelist has found the only possible method of facing it - by the conception of One who from eternity has within himself the potency of the transition. There is another impassable chasm in thought - that between non-living atoms and living energies and individualities. The assertion now is that life, <span class="greek">ζωή</span>, with all its manifestations and in all its regions; that the life of plant, tree, and animal, the life of man, of society, and of worlds as such; that the life of the body, soul, and spirit, the life transitory and the life eternal (<span class="greek">ζωὴ αἰώνιος</span>), <span class="accented">was in the Logos</span>, "who was God and in the beginning with God." Elsewhere in the Gospel Jesus said that "as the Father had life in himself, so he gave to the Son to have life in himself" (<a href="/john/5-26.htm">John 5:26</a>); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> he communicated to the Son his own Divine self-dependence. The Gospel, however, lays the greatest emphasis on the life-giving powers of the Christ as incarnate Logos. The healing of the impotent man (ch. 5.), the raising of the dead Lazarus (ch. 11.), are chosen proofs of his life-giving energy. His claim (ch. 10.) to retake the life that he would voluntarily relinquish, and the august majesty with which, in his resurrection life (ch. 20, 21.), he proclaimed his absolute and final victory over death, constitute the reasons which induced the evangelist to lay down at the very outset that in the Logos was <span class="accented">life.</span> Life, in all its energies, past, present, and future, is an outcome, an effluence, of the Eternal Word. And the life was (and is) the light of men. Observe, it is not said here that physical life is a consequence or issue of the solar beam, or of the Word which in the beginning called light out of darkness. All the religious systems of the East and all modern sciences agree to extol and all but worship the light force, with all that seems so inseparably associated with it. The evangelist was reaching after something far more momentous even than that dogma of ancient faith and modern science. He is not speaking of "the light of the sun," but of "the light of men." Whatever this illumination may include, John does not refer it directly to the Logos, but to the life which is "in him." "The light of men" has been differently conceived by expositors. Calvin supposed that the "understanding" was intended - "that the life of men was not of an ordinary description, but was united to the light of understanding," and is that by which man is differentiated from animals. Hengstenberg regards it, in consequence of numerous associations of "light" with "salvation" in Holy Scripture, as equivalent to salvation; Luthardt with "holiness;" and many with the "eternal life," which would introduce great tautology. The context is our best guide. This light is said to be the veritable light which lighteth every man, and to be shining into darkness. Consequently, to make it the complex of all the gracious processes which beautify the renewed soul is to hurry on faster than the apostle, and to anticipate the evolution of his thought. "The light of men" seems to be the faculty or condition, the inward and outward means, by which men know God. "The light of men" is the conscience and reason, the eye of the soul by which the human race comes into contact with truth and right and beauty. The perfections of God answering to these functions of the soul are not, and were never, manifested in mere matter or force. Until we survey the operations of God in <span class="accented">life</span> we have no hint of either. The lower forms of life in plant or animal may reveal the wisdom and beneficence and 'beauty of the Logos, and so far some light shines upon man; but even these have never been adequately appreciated until the life of man himself comes into view, then the Divine perfections of righteousness and moral loveliness break upon the eye of the soul. In the life of conscience and reason a higher and more revealing light is made to shine upon man, upon his origin, upon his Divine image, upon his destiny. In the spiritual life which has been superinduced upon the life of the conscience and of the flesh, there is the highest light, the brightest and warmest and most potent rays of the whole spectrum of Divine illumination. "The life" which was <span class="accented">in</span> the Logos "was," has always been, is now, will ever be, "the light of men." The plural, "of men" (<span class="greek">τῶν ἀνθρώπων</span>), justifies this larger and sweeping generalization. The two "imperfects" (<span class="greek">η΅ν</span>) placing the process in the past do not compel us to limit the operation to the past or ideal sphere. They assert what was "in the beginning," and which can never cease to be; but they partly imply further consequences, which the actual condition of man has introduced. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/1-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">In</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">life,</span><br /><span class="grk">ζωὴ</span> <span class="translit">(zōē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> </span><span class="str2">Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[that]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">life</span><br /><span class="grk">ζωὴ</span> <span class="translit">(zōē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> </span><span class="str2">Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">light</span><br /><span class="grk">φῶς</span> <span class="translit">(phōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5457.htm">Strong's 5457: </a> </span><span class="str2">Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώπων</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/1-4.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:4 In him was life and the life (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>