John 1:14

Letters to the Faithful - John 1:14

Berean Standard Bible

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

King James Bible

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Greek Text:

Καὶ ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρός, πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας.

Transliteration:

Kai ho logos sarx egeneto kai eskēnōsen en hēmin, kai etheasametha tēn doxan autou, doxan hōs monogenous para patros, plērēs charitos kai alētheias.

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The Word became flesh

This phrase signifies the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God, taking on human nature. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies such as Isaiah 7:14, which speaks of a virgin bearing a son called Immanuel, meaning "God with us." The concept of the Word (Logos) was familiar in both Jewish and Greek thought, representing divine reason and creative order. By becoming flesh, Jesus bridged the divine and human, emphasizing His role as the mediator between God and humanity.

and made His dwelling among us.

The term "dwelling" is reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle, where God's presence resided among the Israelites (Exodus 25:8-9). This suggests that Jesus is the new tabernacle, the place where God's presence is fully realized. The Greek word used here, "skenoo," implies pitching a tent, indicating a temporary but significant presence. This highlights the historical reality of Jesus' life on earth and His intimate involvement with humanity.

We have seen His glory,

The glory of Jesus is a manifestation of His divine nature, witnessed by His disciples through His miracles, teachings, and ultimately His resurrection. This glory is akin to the Shekinah glory of God that filled the tabernacle and later the temple (Exodus 40:34-35). The eyewitness testimony of the apostles, such as Peter, James, and John at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8), underscores the reality of this divine glory.

the glory of the one and only Son from the Father,

This phrase emphasizes the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father. The term "one and only" (Greek: "monogenes") indicates Jesus' unique status as the only begotten Son, distinct from all creation. This relationship is central to understanding the Trinity, where Jesus shares the same divine essence as the Father. The Father-Son relationship is foundational to the Gospel message, as seen in passages like John 3:16.

full of grace and truth.

Jesus embodies the fullness of grace and truth, qualities that reflect God's character. Grace refers to the unmerited favor and love of God, while truth signifies reliability and faithfulness. These attributes are seen in Jesus' interactions with people, His teachings, and His sacrificial death and resurrection. The combination of grace and truth fulfills the law given through Moses, as Jesus brings a new covenant that surpasses the old (John 1:17).

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In the resplendent proclamation of John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth," we stand before the mystery of mysteries, the heart of the gospel unveiled by the Evangelist John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This verse, a pinnacle of divine revelation, declares the incarnation of the eternal Word, the Logos, who, being with God and being God, took upon Himself the vesture of humanity to tabernacle among His creation. Herein lies the wonder of God’s condescension, the union of heaven and earth, where the infinite stoops to the finite, and the Creator enters His creation to redeem it with grace and truth.

The declaration that "the Word was made flesh" is no mere statement but a thunderbolt of divine truth, shattering the boundaries of human understanding. The Word, who was in the beginning, through whom all things were made (John 1:1–3), did not remain aloof in eternal splendor but clothed Himself in the frailty of human flesh. This is the miracle of the incarnation, where the eternal Son, begotten of the Father before all worlds, assumes the nature of man, not ceasing to be divine but uniting divinity with humanity in one person. He who spoke the stars into being now breathes the air of earth, subject to hunger, weariness, and sorrow, yet without sin. This act of divine humility fulfills the promise whispered through the ages, from the seed of the woman in Eden (Genesis 3:15) to the virgin’s child foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14), revealing God’s heart to dwell with His people.

That the Word "dwelt among us" evokes the imagery of the tabernacle in the wilderness, where the glory of God descended to abide with Israel (Exodus 40:34). The Greek, eskēnōsen, signifies a pitching of a tent, a temporary sojourning, yet one radiant with divine presence. As the Shekinah filled the tabernacle, so the Word, in human form, tabernacles among men, His glory veiled in flesh yet perceptible to those with eyes of faith. The Evangelist, an eyewitness, testifies, "we beheld his glory," not a fleeting vision but the radiant splendor of the only begotten Son, whose life and works—His miracles, His teachings, His death and resurrection—manifested the Father’s majesty. This glory is not that of earthly kings, cloaked in pomp, but the glory of sacrificial love, shining brightest on the cross and in the empty tomb.

The phrase "full of grace and truth" crowns this verse, encapsulating the character of the incarnate Word. Grace, the unmerited favor of God, flows from Him as living water, offering pardon to sinners and life to the perishing. Truth, the bedrock of divine reality, is embodied in Him who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). In Him, the Law’s demands are fulfilled, and the Father’s mercy is revealed; He is the perfect revelation of God, in whom there is no shadow of deceit. This fullness is not static but overflowing, pouring out upon all who receive Him, as John later declares, "of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). The incarnation, then, is not merely God’s presence among us but His provision for us, a fountain of grace and truth to transform the fallen into children of God.

For those who hear this word, John 1:14 is a summons to awe and adoration. It bids us kneel before the mystery of the Word made flesh, who, though rich, became poor for our sakes (2 Corinthians 8:9). It calls us to behold His glory, not with eyes of flesh alone but with hearts opened by the Spirit, to see in the carpenter of Nazareth the eternal Son. It invites us to drink deeply of His grace, which pardons our sins, and to walk in His truth, which sets us free. Let us, with the Evangelist, bear witness to this light that shines in the darkness, proclaiming the love of God who sent His only begotten Son to dwell among us, that we might dwell with Him forever. Blessed be His name, who has revealed His glory in the face of Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth, to redeem a world lost in sin.

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Grace and peace be unto you, beloved brothers and sisters, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I write to you today concerning the glorious truth that has been revealed, the mystery long foretold and now made manifest before all creation—the Word has become flesh and dwelt among us. In this divine act, the eternal, the invisible, the almighty One has stepped into time, clothed Himself in humanity, and walked among us. What was beyond comprehension has been made known, and what was distant has drawn near. The glory of the only begotten has been seen, full of grace and truth, shining forth in a darkened world that longed for redemption.

Consider the wonder of this reality, that He who spoke the worlds into existence did not remain distant, but chose to dwell among His creation. He did not merely send a messenger, nor did He call from afar, but He came Himself, taking upon Himself the form of man, walking where we walk, feeling what we feel, enduring the trials of the flesh, yet remaining pure and undefiled. He was not a fleeting vision, nor an unreachable presence, but He was seen, touched, known. His glory was revealed—not in worldly splendor, but in divine humility, for He did not come as a king demanding allegiance, but as a servant offering salvation.

In Him, grace has been poured out in its fullness. Not a partial mercy, not a temporary pardon, but an overflowing abundance of love undeserved, freely given. In Him, truth has been made known—not as a distant concept, but as living reality, shining forth in the life He lived, the words He spoke, the path He walked. He did not come with deception, nor did He speak with empty promises, but every word, every deed, every moment was filled with the truth of God, the truth that sets men free.

Rejoice, beloved, for this revelation is not merely an event of the past, but a present and eternal reality. He has dwelt among us, and He remains with us. His presence was not confined to a moment in history, nor is His grace limited to those who saw Him with their eyes. Even now, His glory is revealed to all who receive Him, to all who open their hearts to His truth, to all who walk in His light. The Word that became flesh has spoken, and His voice echoes through the generations, calling men and women to salvation, offering grace to the broken, shining truth into the darkness.

Therefore, let us behold His glory, let us embrace His grace, let us walk in His truth. Let us not look upon Him with distant curiosity, but with hearts surrendered, lives transformed, and voices lifted in praise. The One who was and is and is to come has made Himself known, and His dwelling shall never cease. May we abide in Him, as He has chosen to abide among us. May His grace sustain us, may His truth guide us, and may His glory be forever magnified. Amen.

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O Lord, Most High, Sovereign and Eternal, we come before You in awe and reverence, lifting our voices to magnify Your holy name. You have made known Your glory, You have revealed Your grace, You have displayed Your truth, and in the fullness of time, You have given unto us the greatest gift—Your Word made flesh. You, who were beyond the grasp of mortal sight, stepped into time, dwelt among us, walked where we walk, felt what we feel, and bore upon Yourself the burden of humanity. You did not remain distant, but You drew near; You did not remain unseen, but You made Yourself known. 

We behold Your glory, full of grace and truth, shining forth in a world lost in darkness, extending mercy to those in need, speaking life into that which was broken. You, O Lord, did not come in splendor as the kings of men, nor did You seek the riches of the earth, but You humbled Yourself, taking the form of a servant, walking among the lowly, dwelling with the forgotten. Your presence was not one of earthly power but of divine love, not of conquest but of redemption, not of judgment but of salvation. You have shown us grace beyond measure, mercy beyond comprehension, truth beyond all understanding, and still Your love remains steadfast, still Your presence abides with us.

O Lord, we lift our hearts to You in thanksgiving, for You have revealed the way of life. You have not hidden Your wisdom from us, but You have spoken with clarity, walked before us in righteousness, and given unto us the light that no darkness can overcome. We rejoice in Your truth, we celebrate Your grace, we glorify Your holy name, for You are near to all who call upon You, and You remain faithful to all who seek Your face. 

Strengthen us, O God, that we may walk in Your truth. Let not our hearts be drawn away by the vanities of this world, nor let our minds be deceived by that which fades. Let our eyes be fixed upon Your glory, and let our souls be filled with the abundance of Your grace. Teach us to dwell in Your presence, to abide in Your love, to rest in the assurance that You, the eternal Word, have made Your dwelling among us and will never depart. 

May Your name be glorified in all the earth. May Your truth be proclaimed in every generation. May Your grace be received by all who hunger for righteousness. Let Your presence fill the hearts of the faithful, and let Your light shine forth in the midst of darkness. We surrender all to You, O Lord, and we praise You for the everlasting hope that is found in Your unfailing love. In the name of our Savior, we pray. Amen.