 |  |
The relation between John 1: 1-3 and Gen. 1: 1 seems therefore to be as follows:
(1)
Primarily, originally, before the ages, before the world was, was the Word (John 1: 1).
(2)
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth (Gen. 1: 1).
Subsequent revelation teaches us that He Who is called Elohim or God in
Gen. 1: 1, is called Ho Logos, or God, in John 1: 1 and all things without
exception were made by Him.
It is a mistake to regard "Wisdom" in Prov. 8:, and the Logos in John 1: 1, as
though they were identical. In John 1: 1 the Logos is the Creator, whereas in Prov. 8:,
the Creator is said to have possessed wisdom, "in the beginning of His way". So long as
we remember this important difference, Prov. 8: 22-36 will reveal a great deal as to
the character of the Creator, the Logos, Who by His wisdom made all things.
When one speaks in one's mother-tongue, there are always present in the back of the
mind, certain other meanings besides the one primarily intended. For example, when we
use the words "right" and "righteousness", there is at the back of the mind the idea of a
"right" line or "plumb" line, something absolute, incapable of deflection. In the same
way, when we use the word "wrong", we have a dim consciousness of the idea of
"wringing" or twisting" away from the "right". Similarly a Greek, or anyone thoroughly
acquainted with the Greek language, could not use the word arche, in the sense of
"beginning", without having at the back of his mind the various shades of meaning that
elsewhere attach to it. It will therefore be of service to the reader if he becomes
acquainted with the various meanings of arche in the N.T.:
(1)
A beginning, in order of time, as in John 1: 1.
(2)
A first or original state. "The angels which kept not their first estate" (Jude 6).
(3)
Authority, whether human or angelic.
Human. "Be subject to principalities" (Titus 3: 1).
Angelic. "Far above all principality" (Eph. 1: 21).
(4)
The "Chief", "Head" or "Beginning", as title of Christ.
"These things saith the Amen, the faithful, and true witness, the Beginning of
the creation of God" (Rev. 3: 14).
"Behold I make all things new . . . . . I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning
and the End" (Rev. 21: 6).
In combination with other words, we find the following:
(5)
Archegos. Leader, Captain, Author (Heb. 2: 10; 12: 2).
(6)
Archiereus. High Priest (Heb. 2: 17).
(7)
Architekton. Architect (I Cor. 3: 10).
Christ's title as "the Beginning of the creation of God" is suggestive of great depths.
There is a Rabbinical note to Gen. 1: 1 in which the words "In the beginning" (B'reshith)
are taken to refer to the Messiah, for rosh means "head" as well as "beginning" (compare