Concerning the Word of Life 1 John 1:1

1 John 1:1 (NKJV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--

"Concerning the Word of Life" tells us what John is writing about. "Concerning" means "related to or about," according to Google Dictionary. John has seen, watched, and touched something that was from the beginning related to the "Word of life."

What is he talking about?

What is the "Word of life?"

John assumes his readers are familiar with the gospel he wrote. The opening paragraph of John's gospel is incredible.

John 1:1-5 (NKJV) ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

This passage shows that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From verse two, we see that the Word is a person. "He was in the beginning with God." The Word has gender along with personality. In John's gospel, as in his letter, John starts with "the beginning." In addition, in the gospel account, John includes, "All things were made through (or by) Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

The "Word" is not necessarily the spoken or written word. John was writing in Greek, and Greek has a specific word for the spoken or written word. Instead, John uses a word that means "the concept or idea carried by the spoken word." John uses the word "λόγος" (logos). Logos carries the notion of reason or logic. The idea is that there is a meaning behind any spoken word, and logos is the expression of that meaning.

As the Logos (Word), Jesus is the expression of God. Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us:

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NKJV) ¹God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ²hasin these last days spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ³who 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews reiterates the fact that the Father made all things through the Son. Notice especially the beginning of verse three. "Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person." This expression or revealing of God is the "Logos."

The revealing of God through Jesus Christ is also part of the truth expressed in John 1:4. "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." John is not trying to confuse us by using terms only a few understand. Instead, he is trying to communicate saving truths concerning the nature of the relationship between Father and Son.

John refers to Jesus as the "Word." We understand that calling Jesus "the Word" points to His revelation of God to us. Without Jesus, we could not know the character and nature of God since it is through Jesus that these things are made known. We can see God's mighty power and wisdom in the things He has made, but to know His person, we must know Jesus Christ.

Because of this connection between knowing God and Jesus Christ, John calls Jesus "the Word of life."

Here again, we must understand the word "life."

The Greek word used by John in 1 John 1 is "ζωή" (zōē). A synonym for zōē in Greek is "βίος" (bios). Both are translated as "life," but zōē has more to do with existence, and bios has more to do with duration. A biography records a lifetime. Zoology studies life in its various forms.¹ Another way to state the distinction is that bios refers to the means of existence, and zōē refers to the fact of existence.

When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it refers to our continuing existence even though our "biological" life ends. As far as Scripture is concerned, every human soul will continue its existence forever. God breathed into man the "breath of life" (Genesis 2:7). As a result, man became a "living being." This gift from God will never end. However, the Scripture speaks of those who reject the Son of God as being cast into the Lake of Fire and calls this the "second death." Death is not the cessation of existence. It is a change in the place of existence. This is why John says in John 17:3,

John17:3 (NKJV): "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

True life is knowing God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Eternal life, life that will never end, is found in the "Word of Life." To be outside of that life is to perish. Jesus said,

John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Until we come to Jesus for life, we are dead, separated from God and His promises. The more we enter into Jesus, the more we enter into life. Jesus taught us to abide in Him, and then our joy will be made full.

We spend our biological lives pursuing things that will not satisfy us. Things will grow old and rust. Our bodies will break down. All the riches we gather on earth and the skills and knowledge we collect will be meaningless if our biological life ends and we don't have the true life given by the "Word of Life."

Gaining this life is as easy as asking. Just call on the name of the Lord and say, "Jesus, I want the life that you offer." Then, set about learning about Jesus through the Bible.

1 Biology is also the study of life, but it is the study of the organisms and systems that function within a living being. In contrast, Zoology classifies different kinds of living beings.

From the Beginning 1 John 1:1

 What was from the beginning? 

From my beginning, I  remember patches, little glimpses of activity: Being held by my mother…crying in the middle of the night as my father held and comforted me. But I do not remember my “Beginning.” I just was. At some point, I came to understand that my parents came before me and my grandparents before them. My parents talked about my great-grandparents. As age has crept up, I have become increasingly aware of the many generations that have gone before.

John starts his letter at the beginning. 1 John 1:1 says, “That which was from the beginning…” The word John uses for “beginning” is “ἀρχή” (archē).  It comes from the verb “ἄρχω” (archō), which means to be chief, to lead, or to rule. From the idea of being chief, “arche” means beginning, origin, or the person or thing that commences something, that by which anything begins to be. 

The beginning was long before you and I. It was before our parents and great-grandparents. Whenever it was, whatever John was talking about was from the “beginning.” John does not answer the question, “From what beginning?” So, we assume that he is speaking of the beginning of everything.  The words, “That which was from the beginning,” point to our (humanity’s) origin.  

Scripture assumes that God was from the beginning. We were created. The Bible opens with, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” 

Where we came from is important. It is a big deal. 

Where did humanity come from?

In Today’s world, the idea of creation is no longer given a place at the table. Even though science cannot answer everything (because science is done by human beings who are flawed), science is how we grow in knowledge. Science is applying our minds to the systematic observation of our world. Therefore, science is essential for our survival. It is necessary to examine the evidence and go where it takes us. Science includes fields such as math, and physics, sociology, and psychology. Given the essential nature of science, it is reasonable to examine the assumption of a Creator God, and it is unreasonable to rule out the possibility of creation a priori. History is not science. It is a record of what happened. And to deny God is to deny history. Most of humanity believes that the evidence is strong enough to believe at least that God exists, and the majority believe in the God of the Bible. Our purpose here is not to examine the evidence. Rather, the goal right now is to point out the battle that rages around the whole concept of “the Beginning.”

John’s claim to have heard and touched and seen “that which was from the beginning is incredible. Look at John’s opening sentence!

1 John 1:1 (NKJV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which wehave looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--

 Consider the list that he gives. First, he identifies what he is speaking of as “That which was from the beginning.” Next, John says, “which we have heard.” 

It is necessary to notice that John does not say “which we have heard about.” To make this point clear, John says, “which we have seen with our eyes.” John and whoever was with him saw that which was from the beginning with their physical eyes. They were not there in the beginning to see it, but that which was from the beginning was made manifest according to what John says in verse 2. 

The beginning was a long time ago.

John is not saying he had a vision. John is saying that they (we) saw something with their physical eyes. The “we” implies that John was not alone. He says, “which we have seen with our eyes. Then he emphasizes the fact that they saw with their physical eyes when he says, “which we have looked upon.” The idea behind this statement, “looked upon,” is that they studied it with their eyes long and hard. They stared at it. And then, if their eyes are not enough, he adds another statement, “and our hands have handled.” In other words, they did science on it. They carefully observed it.

Please pay attention! John is saying, “We.” He is not alone in his testimony. He is claiming to be one of a number of eyewitnesses. He has not named Jesus yet, so please pardon my jumping the gun, but it is crucial that we understand that there are more than one or two eyewitness accounts of Jesus. The most reliable records are those of the four gospels, but other writers from that day make mention of Jesus. 

We are not following clever fables. The gospels are not dreams, visions, or make-believe. They are history. John’s statement highlights the concrete reality of those who walked with and listened to Jesus. Their eyes saw Him. Their hands touched Him. They spent YEARS with Him! History has recorded Him! 

Humanity resists Him. The battle over the “Beginning” rages because we don’t want to acknowledge Him. John brings up several reasons why we fight against the knowledge of Him, but let’s consider just one right now.

In John’s Gospel, he says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” And then later, He says,

John3:20 (NKJV) “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

John 3:20 explains humanity’s fight against the knowledge of God. John and his companions saw “that which was from the beginning.” They handled it with their hands and examined it with their eyes over an extended time. However, we do not accept their testimony; even though we know in our hearts they speak the truth. This is why Romans 1:18 says:

Romans 1:18 (NKJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

In Romans 1:18, it does not say we ignore the truth. It says we “suppress the truth.” John deals with this later, but I will point out the answer to this condition of our hearts.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Are you suppressing the truth in your life? Each of us must ask God to help us to seek and know the truth.

Beloved of God

 We all need to be loved and to love. We are hardwired that way. In Song of Solomon, one lover says of the other, “I [am] my beloved’s, And my beloved [is] mine. (Song of Songs 6:3 NKJV) Many view the Song of Solomon as a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church. And the New Testament calls the Church the “Bride of Christ.” Whether or not one accepts the Song of Solomon as a metaphor, it does bring up the question, “What does it mean to be beloved by God?

In the Old Testament, Jacob’s son Benjamen and later Solomon are said to be “beloved of the Lord.” Neither of these men was perfect. Nehemiah says the following of Solomon:

Nehemiah13:26 (NKJV) “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin.

God loved Solomon and gave Solomon wisdom, riches, and a kingdom. And, even though Solomon was unfaithful, God never stopped loving him. 

Nehemiah 13:26 uses the Hebrew word “āhaḇ.” This is a root word, which means it is not derived from another word. Rather, it is a word from which other words are derived. It means human love for another, including family and sexual. It can also mean human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, or wisdom. It refers to human love for God, friends, or a lover. And it is used for God’s love for men as individuals or nations (i.e., Israel).

As an example, when God spoke to Abraham about Isaac, He said:

Genesis 22:2 (NKJV) “Take now your son, your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

In another place, God says to the people of Israel:

Jeremiah31:3 (NKJV) The LORD has appeared of old to me, [saying:] “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

In the case of Solomon and Israel, God is speaking of them in the context of telling about their great sin and rebellion against God. God is telling of His broken heart over His children. Nothing demonstrates this love of God better than God’s actions. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And yet God tells us of Himself:

John 3:16 (NKJV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

This “loved” is the Greek word “agapaō,” which is the verb form of the word “agape” that we are familiar with. This is usually called “selfless love,” but it has a much more colorful history. 

“Agapaō” is not a root word. In other words, it is derived from other words. It is related to “agan,” which means “much,” and “agab,” which means “inordinate affection” or “to breathe after.” “Agab” is also used for lust. Although “agape” indicates pure love, its root words tie it to a deep and passionate longing or attachment.

In the Old Testament, God demonstrates His great love by continually pursuing and “drawing” His people despite their rebellion and rejection of Him. This then leads to the ultimate demonstration of His love in the giving of His Son and the addition of a word that implies great longing and affection.

The words “loving-kindness” and “mercy” also are tied to God’s love. How can we even begin to comprehend what it means to be the “beloved of God?” I cannot help but think of a couple of passages. 

The first is Romans 8:32.

Romans8:32 (NKJV) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

The second is 1 Corinthians 2:9.

1 Corinthians2:9 (NKJV) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

How have you responded to the love that God has for you?

Why don't you talk to Him about it?

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV" are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.nelsonbibles.com.