 |  |
We have already indicated the difference between the law that was "given" by Moses,
and real grace that "came" by Jesus Christ. In the structures of the prologue (see
Volume XXIX, page 174) this is found in correspondence with the statement in verse 3
that "all things were made by Him". Here, Christ is seen as Creator in both realms.
We can now go back to John 1: 16, and understand the expression "grace for grace".
The word translated "for" is anti, which means "over against"; "grace over against
grace" means, in the light of verse 17, "the grace of gospel realities in place of the grace
of types and shadows". This "real grace", we learn, is "out of His fullness".
"For of His fullness have all we received, and (or even) grace over against grace, for
the law by Moses was given, but true grace came into being by Jesus Christ" (John 1: 16,
17).
The "fullness" which is the source of this rich supply is that which we have already
noted in verse 14, and arises only from the fact that "the Word was made flesh and dwelt
among us". We have already noted in our studies in the epistle to the Colossians, that the
"fullness", pleroma, links the testimony of John to that of Paul and, that apart from the
one passage in John 1: 16, the word pleroma is used, in reference to Christ, exclusively
by Paul. In Volume XXIII, page 171, we gave an analysis of the distribution of the
word, but as the subject is of such important we do not hesitate to repeat the outline here
for the benefit of new readers.
The Fullness.
A | John 1: 1-18. | HIS TITLE.--In the beginning. The Word.
HIS OFFICE.--Maker of all things.
His title in the flesh. The only begotten Son.
God declared to be invisible.
B | Gal. 4: 1-10. | The elements of the world.
Ye observe days, months, times and years.
Made of a woman. Made under the law.
Sonship (Adoption).
C | Ephesians. Christ and His Church |
a | 1: 10. Goal. Head up things in heaven and earth.
b | 1: 23. Foreshadowing Head. Fullness of Him.
a | 3: 19. Goal. Filled unto all the fullness of God.
b | 4: 13. Measure. Fullness of Christ.
A | Col. 1: 12-22. | HIS TITLE.--Before all things. The Image.
HIS OFFICE.--Creator of all things.
His title in the two spheres.
Firstborn of all creation. Firstborn from the dead.
God declared to be invisible.
B | Col. 2: 9-23. | The rudiments of the world.
Holydays, new moons and sabbaths.
Bodily. Completeness.