The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
John Chapter 1
Word
(Greek, "logos"); (Aramaic, "Memra," used in the Targums, or Hebrew, paraphrases, for "God"). The Greek term means,
(1) a thought or concept;
(2) the expression or utterance of that thought. As a designation of Christ, therefore, Logos is peculiarly felicitous because,
(1) in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective "thought" of God (Co1 1:24); (Eph 3:11); (Col 2:2); (Col 2:3) and,
(2) He is from eternity, but especially in His incarnation, the utterance or expression of the Person, and "thought" of Deity (Joh 1:3-5); (Joh 1:9); (Joh 1:14-18); (Joh 14:9-11); (Col 2:9).
In the Being, Person, and work of Christ, Deity is told out.
comprehended
Or, apprehended; literally, "laid not hold of it."
world
Greek, "kosmos" means "mankind".
(See Scofield) - (Mat 4:8).
He came
That is, He came unto his own things, and his own people received him not.
grace
Grace. Summary:
(1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man. . . Not by works of righteousness which we have done" (Tit 3:4); (Tit 3:5).
It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man (Rom 3:21); (Rom 3:22); (Rom 8:4); (Plm 3:9). Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith; (Joh 1:17); (Rom 10:4-10). Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad; (Exo 19:5); (Eph 2:1-9). Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift; (Deu 28:1-6); (Eph 2:8); (Rom 4:4); (Rom 4:5).
(2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom 3:24-26); (Rom 3:4); (Rom 3:24); (Rom 3:25). The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation, (Joh 1:12); (Joh 1:13); (Joh 3:36); (Mat 21:37); (Mat 22:24); (Joh 15:22); (Joh 15:25); (Heb 1:2); (Jo1 5:10-12). The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile (Act 4:27). The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church:
(see "Apostasy"
(See Scofield) - (Ti2 3:1); (Ti2 3:1-8);
and the resultant apocalyptic judgments.
(3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation (Rom 3:24) and in the walk and service of the saved (Rom 6:15).
See, for the other six dispensations:
Innocence,
(See Scofield) - (Gen 1:28).
Conscience,
(See Scofield) - (Gen 3:23).
Human Government,
(See Scofield) - (Gen 8:21).
Promise,
(See Scofield) - (Gen 12:1).
Law,
(See Scofield) - (Exo 19:8).
Kingdom,
(See Scofield) - (Eph 1:10).
hath seen God
Compare (Gen 32:20); (Exo 24:10); (Exo 33:18); (Jdg 6:22); (Jdg 13:22); (Rev 22:4).
The divine essence, God, veiled in angelic form, and especially as incarnate in Jesus Christ, has been seen of men. (Gen 18:2); (Gen 18:22); (Joh 14:8); (Joh 14:9).
declared
Literally, led him forth, that is, into full revelation. (Joh 14:9).
sins
Sin
(See Scofield) - (Rom 3:23).
Come
The call to discipleship, (compare (Mat 4:18-22), the call to service.
tenth hour
That was two hours before night.
angels
(See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4).