Sun., July 11 – Bible Lesson Notes - John 1:9-12

My apologies for not posting this sooner. I did not teach on 7.18 so there are no notes for that week. The notes for July 25 will be posted tomorrow.

John 1:9-12

John 1:8  He [John the Baptist] was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Joh_1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

"That" - italicised in KJV, because it is supplied.

NASB = There  (ESV, CEV, HCSB, and NASB) connect the true light with coming into the world.

HCSB  The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Barnes:

That cometh into the world - The phrase in the original is ambiguous. The word translated “that cometh” may either refer to the “light,” or to the word “man;” so that it may mean either “this ‘true light that cometh’ into the world enlightens all,” or “it enlightens every ‘man that cometh’ into the world.” Many critics, and, among the fathers, Cyril and Augustine, have preferred the former, and translated it, “The true light was he who, coming into the world, enlightened every man.” The principal reasons for this are:
1.    That the Messiah is often spoken of as he that cometh into the world. See John 6:14; John 18:37.
2.    He is often distinguished as “the light that cometh into the world.” John 3:19; “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world.” John 12:46; “I am come a light into the world.”

Christ may be said to do what is accomplished by his command or    appointment. This passage means, therefore, that by his own personal ministry, and by his Spirit and apostles, light or teaching is afforded to all. It does not mean that every individual of the human family is enlightened with the knowledge “of the gospel,” for this never yet has been; but it means:
1.    That this light is not confined to the “Jews,” but is extended to all - Jews and Gentiles.
2.    That it is provided for all and offered to all.
3.    It is not affirmed that at the time that John wrote all “were actually enlightened,” but the word “lighteth” has the form of the “future.” “This is that light so long expected and predicted, which as the result of its coming into the world, will ultimately enlighten all nations.”

True does not mean what is not false, in this usage.

Genuine. "What is real, perfect, and substantial, as contrasted with what is fanciful, shadowy, counterfeit, or merely symbolic."

(Artificial light compared with true light; obscured light)

which lighteth every man

The Quakers use this to support their contention that we all have an inner [Divine] light. (Not true)

CW song: "There's a little light in all of us by God's design." (Not true)

John 1:10                                                                                

Ryle: Christ is to the souls of men what the sun is to the world. He is the center and source of all spiritual light, warmth, life, health, growth, beauty, and fertility. Like the sun, He shines for the common benefit of all mankind--for high and for low, for rich and for poor, for Jew and for Greek. Like the sun, He is free to all. All may look at Him, and drink health out of His light. If millions of mankind were mad enough to dwell in caves underground, or to bandage their eyes, their darkness would be their own fault, and not the fault of the sun. So, likewise, if millions of men and women love spiritual "darkness rather than light," the blame must be laid on their blind hearts, and not on Christ. "Their foolish hearts are darkened." (John 3:19; Rom. 1:21.) But whether men will see or not, Christ is the true sun, and the light of the world. There is no light for sinners except in the Lord Jesus.

John 1:11

(Matthew Henry) Ta idia - his own things; not tous idious - his own persons, as true believers are called, John 13:1.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

But as many as received him
Q.: What does it mean to "receive him"?

"Accepting Jesus" as your Savior and receiving him are not the same thing.

"Accepting Jesus" is not a biblical term

Receiving Jesus is to take him for who and what he is.

to them gave he power to become the sons of God

Power = the right to

even to them that believe on his name:

his name stands for all that he is. Savior, Lord, Redeemer, etc.

Belief has to be substantive.