John's Introduction.

  10 He was in the world.

  11 He came [visibly in the flesh] unto his own [his own land or possessions-- Hosea 9:3 ; Jeremiah 2:7 ; 2:12 ], and they that were his own [the children of Israel-- Exodus 19:5 ; Deuteronomy 7:6 ; 14:2 ] received him not.

  12 But as many as received him

[whether Jew or Gentile], to them gave he the right to become children of God [comp. Romans 3:14-17 ; Galatians 3:26 ; Galatians 4:6 Galatians 4:7 ; 1 John 3:1 1 John 3:2 ], even to them that believe on his name:

  13 who were born, not of blood

[descent from Abraham, David or any other godly person does not make a man a child of God-- Luke 3:8 ; Matthew 3:9 ; John 8:39 John 8:40 ; Galatians 3:6 Galatians 3:7 Galatians 3:29 ], nor of the will of the flesh [the efforts and exertions of our own human hearts and natures may reform, but can not regenerate, the life-- John 3:6 ], nor of the will of man [we are not begotten of God by the acts and deeds of our fellow-men, however much they may aid us in leading right lives], but of God. [ 3:5 ; 1 John 4:7 ; 5:1 .]

  12 But as many as received him

  13 who were born, not of blood

  14 And the Word became flesh [by being born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary], and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory [in his miracles, and especially in his transfiguration-- John 2:11 ; 2 Peter 1:16-18 ], glory as of the only begotten from the Father) [such glory as was suitable to the Son of God], full of grace and truth. [The glory of Christ was not in pomp and worldly grandeur, but in the holiness, grace, and truth of his daily life.]

  15 John [the Baptist] beareth witness of him [the words of John the Baptist still witness to unbelieving Jews and Gentiles], saying, This was he of whom I said [John had preached about Jesus before Jesus appeared; he now points to Jesus as the one about whom he had preached], He that cometh after me [He for whom I as a forerunner have prepared the way-- Matthew 3:3 ] is become before me [is worthy of more honor and reverence than am I]: for he was before me. [Though born into the world six months later than John, Jesus, as the Word, had existed from eternity. (In verse 16 the words are the apostle John's, and not John the Baptist's.)]

  16 For of his fulness [Jesus was full of grace and truth--and all the attributes of God-- Ephesians 1:23 ; 3:19 ; 4:13 ; Colossians 1:19 ; 2:9 ] we all received [by union with him all his perfection and righteousness became ours-- Philippians 1:10 Philippians 1:11 ; Philippians 3:8 Philippians 3:9 ; 1 Corinthians 1:30 ], and grace for grace. [This may mean that we receive a grace kindred to or like each several grace that is in Christ ( Romans 8:29 ; 12:2 ; Ephesians 4:11-13 ). But it more probably means fullness of grace, or fresh grace daily added to the grace already bestowed.]

  17 For the law [the Old Dispensation with its condemnation ( Romans 3:20 ; Galatians 2:21 ) and its types and shadows-- Colossians 2:16 Colossians 2:17 ; Hebrews 8:4 Hebrews 8:5 ; 10:1 ] was given through Moses [by angels at Mt. Sinai-- Hebrews 2:2 ]; grace and truth [the New Dispensation with its justification ( Romans 3:21-26 ) and its realities-- Hebrews 9:1-15 ] came through Jesus Christ. [ Hebrews 1:1 Hebrews 1:2 ; 2:3 .]

  18 No man hath seen God at any time [ 1 John 4:12 1 John 4:20 ; John 1:18 ; 1 Timothy 6:16 ]; the only begotten Son [the word "only begotten" indicates that none other bears with Christ a like relationship to God], who is in the bosom of the Father [who bears the closest and tenderest relationship and fellowship as to the Father], he hath declared him. [ 3:2 ; John 15:9 ; Colossians 1:15 .]