John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. The old Gnostic Christians held that the world was not created by the Great God, "but by Demiurgus, a spirit descending from the AEons, which were themselves derived from the Deity." John's statement stands in direct antagonism to this. From this we infer — I. THAT CHRIST IS OLDER THAN THE UNIVERSE. The worker must be older than his productions. II. THAT CHRIST IS GREATER THAN THE UNIVERSE. As the architect is greater than his building, the author than his work, the artist than his productions, Christ is greater than the universe. 1. Greater in extent. But Christ's being extends beyond the limits of the universe. 2. Greater in force. 3. Greater in beauty. III. THAT CHRIST IS OWNER OF THE UNIVERSE. Production gives the highest right to possession. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The same was in the beginning with God. |
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