John Chapter 1

The Gospel of John, Chapter 1: “In the Beginning Was the Word”

1. The New Genesis

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

St. John begins where Moses began — “In the beginning.”
But while Genesis opens the first creation, John unveils the new creation in Christ.

St. Augustine writes:

“Moses spoke of the beginning of time; John speaks of the Beginning who made time.” (Tractates on John I.1)

Here we are taken beyond history into eternity.
The Word (Greek Logos) is not merely speech but divine Reason, Wisdom, and Sonship — the eternal self-expression of the Father.

St. Athanasius says:

“The Word was not created; He is co-eternal with the Father, light from light, true God from true God.” (Against the Arians I.19)

This is the first verse of Christian theology: the Son is God, yet distinct from the Father, eternally “with God.”
Already the mystery of the Trinity is announced — not explained, but adored.

2. The Word Through Whom All Was Made

“All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3)

Creation is the work of the Word.
The “Let there be…” of Genesis is fulfilled in the “Through Him” of John.

St. Irenaeus teaches:

“The Word made all things, and Himself was made flesh, that the Maker of all might remake His own creation.” (Against Heresies III.20.2)

Thus, redemption is not a new act apart from creation but its completion.
The Word who fashioned light now enters the world to overcome darkness.

3. The Light of Men

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4–5)

The Fathers saw this verse as the heartbeat of the whole Gospel.
Christ is both life and light — what we are made for and how we see it.

St. Cyril of Alexandria writes:

“The Word shines perpetually; the darkness neither quenches nor comprehends Him, for ignorance cannot grasp Wisdom, nor sin conquer Life.” (Commentary on John I.1)

Darkness here means not only ignorance but sin — the inward blindness that cannot recognize God’s presence.
Yet the light shines still. The victory is already certain.

4. The Witness of John the Baptist

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John… He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light.” (John 1:6–8)

The Gospel moves from eternity to history: the Word sends a herald.
John the Baptist is not the light, but the lamp — kindled by grace, pointing to the Sun.

St. Augustine comments:

“John was the voice; the Lord was the Word. The voice passes; the Word remains.” (Tractates on John II.1)

The humility of John prepares the way for the humility of Christ.

5. The True Light and the World’s Rejection

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew Him not.” (John 1:10)

The tragedy of sin reaches its height: the Creator comes among His creatures, and they do not recognize Him.

St. John Chrysostom says:

“This is the crowning sin — that the world was illumined and closed its eyes.” (Homilies on John VII.1)

But rejection cannot extinguish the light; it reveals the need for grace.
Even in unbelief, God’s plan advances.

6. The Children of God

“But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

Here the Gospel reaches its invitation.
Faith is not mere assent but new birth — adoption through grace.

St. Augustine teaches:

“The Son of God became the Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God.” (Sermon 192.1)

This verse describes the transformation at the heart of Baptism.
We are not merely forgiven but re-created — made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

7. The Word Made Flesh

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Here heaven touches earth.
The eternal Word takes on our mortal nature — not appearing as man, but truly becoming man.

St. Athanasius proclaims:

“He became what we are that He might make us what He is.” (On the Incarnation 54)

“Dwelt among us” literally means “pitched His tent” — recalling the Tabernacle of Exodus.
Just as God’s glory once filled the tent of meeting, now His presence fills human flesh.
This is the Incarnation as the new temple — the visible dwelling of invisible grace.

8. Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ

“From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16–17)

This is not opposition but fulfillment.
The Law prepared; Grace completes.
The Law revealed God’s will; Grace reveals His heart.

St. Augustine explains:

“The law threatened, grace forgives; the law commanded, grace helps; the law showed what was due, grace gives what is needed.” (Tractates on John III.10)

All fullness dwells in Christ — every sacrament, every virtue, every healing grace flows from Him as from its living source.

9. “No One Has Ever Seen God”

“No one has ever seen God; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known.” (John 1:18)

This final verse of the Prologue crowns the mystery.
The unseen God becomes known through His Son.

St. Irenaeus says:

“The Son reveals the Father, not as one who learns, but as one who knows; for He is in the bosom of the Father, and draws forth from that infinite love the knowledge He imparts.” (Against Heresies IV.6.6)

The “bosom of the Father” expresses eternal intimacy — the divine communion into which we are invited through Christ.

10. Theological Summary

ThemeRevelation
In the beginningThe eternal Word precedes creation
The WordDivine Reason and Sonship — true God
CreationMade through the Word, renewed in Him
Light and darknessRevelation vs. rejection
Faith and adoptionGrace makes us children of God
IncarnationGod dwells among us bodily
Grace upon graceFulfillment of Law in divine mercy
Revelation of the FatherThe Son makes God known in love

St. Augustine sums it up:

“John soars like an eagle — not in bodily height but in spiritual vision, seeing the Word in the beginning, light uncreated, life eternal.” (Tractates on John I.1)

11. Moral and Spiritual Application

Contemplate the Word. Begin every prayer in silence before the eternal mystery — “In the beginning was the Word.”

Walk in the Light. Let Christ’s truth expose and heal every shadow within.

Receive the Word. Believe and let grace make you a child of God.

Live incarnationally. Let faith become flesh — visible in deeds of charity.

Adore the glory revealed. The tabernacle of God is now with us in the Eucharist.

12. Christ the Word in the Church

The Word who became flesh still speaks and dwells among us:

In Scripture — His voice.

In the Sacraments — His touch.

In the Eucharist — His abiding presence.

In the Church — His mystical Body.

St. Leo the Great beautifully says:

“What was visible in Christ has passed into the mysteries of the Church.” (Sermon 74.2)

Thus, the Prologue of John is not past revelation but present reality.
Every Mass re-enacts it: the Word proclaimed, believed, received, adored.

13. Closing Prayer

Eternal Word, Light of the world,
In You was life, and the life was the light of men.
Speak again in our hearts the word You spoke in the beginning: Let there be light.
Illuminate our minds with truth, fill our souls with grace,
and make us children of God through Your mercy.
Dwell among us always, Word made flesh,
full of grace and truth, living and reigning forever. Amen.