 |  |
might stress unduly the plural use of Elohim. With both testaments before us we have
the complete truth, and this alone brings harmony.
Before we attempt to consider the nature of God, however, let us think for a moment
of one or two statements concerning ourselves as they would be regarded by a being of
another order.
"They two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery" (Eph. 5: 31, 32).
"God created man in His Own Image, in the Image of God created He him; male and
female create He them" (Gen. 1: 26, 27).
"And called their name Adam, . . . . . and Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and
begat a son . . . . ." (Gen. 5: 1-3).
We can well imagine beings of another order, when faced with these statements,
dividing up into opposing camps, and framing theologies and creeds, which would simply
demonstrate their lack of true knowledge. We shall make no such attempts in our studies
here. Humanly devised terms may be useful when they relate to matters within our
cognizance, but they are almost sure to be misleading and the cause of bitterness and
controversy, when used of things outside our ken.
We are told by John that "the Word was God". If John himself had any difficulties or
problems with regard to this statement, he has not told us of them. No explanation is
offered. We are expected to believe the revelation given, because the One Who speaks is
true, and we are also expected to examine His words to discover all the meaning in them
of which they are capable. We do not hesitate, therefore, to enquire:
(1)
Why the order of the words is the reverse of the usual one and
(2)
Why the word Theos is without the article.
(1) The order of the words.--In the second sentence the original is as follows:
Ho logos en pros ton Theon ("The Word was toward the God").
In the third sentence, however, the order of the words is reversed:
Kai Theos en ho logos ("And God was the Word").
This change of order is an example of the figure called in Greek Hyperbaton ("To step
over") and in English "Transposition".
"Special attention is desired for some particular word. Placed in its ordinary and usual
position, it may not be noticed. But, put out of its usual and placed at the beginning,
instead of at the end of a sentence, it is impossible for the reader not to be arrested by it"
(Dr. Bullinger's Figures of Speech).
The particular word brought into prominence in this case is Theos. The figure
therefore emphasizes the fact that the One Who is revealed under the title Ho Logos is
Himself truly and essentially "God".