Ron:
First of all, I apologize for calling you a JW. I made a wrong assumption. Now, my comments:
Ron: “I would say this…”(my amplified version of John 1:4) “…reads into the Greek koine something that is not there to satisfy preconceived ideas.”
Me: The verb used in this verse – hn (ein: “was”) – is the imperfect indicative, 3rd person singular form of eimi, “I am.” In this tense and mood, it signifies continuous action in the past. This is no matter of interpretation; it is grammatical fact. The imperfect tense serves to indicate continuous action. In the indicative mood, continuous action in the past.
Ron: “I do admit that the Greek can seen in different manners, depending on how one looks at it. The Bible was deliberately written so that this could be done, that the strong delusion would prevail. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:11 http://reslight.addr.com/understanding.html.” ;
Me: I don’t think that I would go so far as to say that God had the Bible written as it is so that “the strong delusion would prevail.” What I will say instead is that God, from all eternity, determined whatever comes to pass; and that what He has determined to take place does not exclude man’s accountability for his own actions. Because of sin, man distorts the Word of God.
Ron: “Not that I agree with all the conclusions reached by the following quotes, but I submit these to show that John was saying here that it was life that was brought into existence by means of the Logos:…”
Me: You then went on to quote from Beza and Robertson as they referred to the meaning of zwh (zoe). If one reads the context, the following statements are made with reference to the zoe life:
“In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it….” (John the Baptist) “…came for a witness that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light” (John 1:4-5, 7-8).
Notice that in the Word this life was, whatever this life is. Then in the very next phrase, John explains what it is. The life was the light of men. So then we must see what is meant by “light” here in these verses. This light was what John the Baptist bore witness of. Do you remember the content of his witness? It’s right here in following verses in John 1. He testified to Jesus being Messiah, “…the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Sin results in death. For one to avoid the death penalty, he must be given life that overcomes it. Scripture speaks of us as being “dead in our…sins.” People that are alive being told that they are dead? How can it be? This is the same question that Nicodemus asked of Jesus. Do you recall Jesus’ response to this ruler of the Jews, this very religious and Biblically knowledgeable man? He said, “You must be born again.”
Quite clearly, then, the “life” spoken of here in John 1:4 is the life which is the light of men. It is something not comprehended by the darkness because the darkness is not “born again.” It must receive this “light” – this element that overcomes the darkness of sin. That element is “life” – spiritual life. This is the meaning of the “zoe-life” here in John 1:4.
Hairdog