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light" (John 5: 35), but the word "light" here is not phos, "light itself", but luchnos, "a
lamp". The distinction is similar to that found in Gen. 1:, where "light" in verse 3 is or,
while the word for "lights" in verse 14 (referring to the Sun and Moon) is maor, "a
light-holder".
Another very beautiful illustration of the character of John's service is found in
verse 23 (John 1:). Christ Himself is described as "the Word"; John on the other hand,
describes himself as "a voice" (verse 23). What greater service can one render than that
which is expressed in this verse? To be a voice to make the Word known, a lamp through
which His light may shine, a finger raised to point out the Lamb of God. Such a ministry
would lead those who came under its influence to leave the testifier and follow the One
testified to. As we read in John 3: 30: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
In verse 8: "He was sent to bear witness of that light", the preposition peri
("concerning") is used. The reader will call to mind many words in our own language
that begin with these four letters--for example, "perimeter" meaning "circumference";
"period", a cycle of time; and "periphrasis", a roundabout form of speech. The idea in
John 1: 8 is that Christ was the centre around which John's ministry revolved. His
witness was "concerning" Him.
There has been much dispute over the Apostle's meaning in verse 9.
"That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
The crux of the problem is the verb "cometh". Does this refer to "every man" or to
"the true light"? J. N. Darby's translation and note are worth quoting as a contribution
here:
"The true light was that which, coming into the world, lightens every man."
"Or, `is light to every man'. Not `enlightens' but `sheds its light upon'. Not, I judge,
`every man coming', in spite of the ancients. `Comer into the world' is a Rabbinical
expression for `man', but this refers to the incarnation as ver. 10 shews. The Fathers'
view of it was Platonism which John refutes in every point. The introduction of
anthropon makes the citing the Rabbinical expression as an argument for the
interpretation `every one coming into the world' a mistake: for the Rabbis use `Comers
into the word' as equivalent to `men'."
The Lord's own testimony, as given in John 13: 46, seems conclusive here:
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in
darkness."
Or, in John 3: 19:
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather light, because their deeds were evil."
A man may be in the light, and yet be unenlightened. Darkness can fail to grasp the
light, even though it be shining as brightly as the sun. A glance at the structure confirms