How many times must this verse be discussed before it is understood? This is an introduction and sets the theme for John’s Gospel. It starts out by tracing the history of the non-human Word that was with God at the beginning of mankind’s or as John states it the worlds creation:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
At such a beginning the Word was commissioned to create humanity and be responsible for it as the God to such a world of humans. Those that understand this first use of the term God to be the Supreme Being would be correct, but this is determined by reason and context and not by the term God. The term God identifies no one in and by itself and is applied to others as well. This is also now true of the Word. This second use simply means someone in authority an Anointed one to be such as Moses or the Messiah for example. That the Word was now called God as such a time shows how such authority was passed to him by this Supreme Being that he was with. Nothing really earth shaking here since the very name of God which is far more significant and specific in scripture than the term God was passed to angelic and non angelic messengers such as the one in the burning bush to act in this Supreme Beings behalf just as if they were Him and in countless other texts in much the same way.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Not everything was made by him. John is only discussing all things pertaining to the world of humankind and the salvation of such a World that this Word would provide. Of this truth many were in darkness and continue to be in darkness and fail to comprehend it to this day. So John said of the Baptist: 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
But to those that do not grasp this fact that only humanity this specific World is under discussion or the World with all its complexity and governmental structure the apostle continues and says: 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
No trees, plants or animals included just this specific world of humans and only those that qualify to become Sons of God.
Who created the animals or at least some of them? Who do you think had authority over such animals and used them improperly?
Joseph
