What is the meaning of Logos in Christianity?

Matthew Henry was an excellent bible teacher who lived in the 18th century. In the introduction of his commentary on the book of John, he wrote: "Austin says (de Civitate Dei, lib. 10, cap. 29) that his friend Simplicius told him he had heard a Platonic philosopher say that these first verses of St. John's gospel were worthy to be written in letters of gold. The learned Francis Junius, in the account he gives of his own life, tells how he was in his youth infected with loose notions in religion, and by the grace of God was wonderfully recovered by reading accidentally these verses in a bible which his father had designedly laid in his way. He says that he observed such a divinity in the argument, such an authority and majesty in the style, that his flesh trembled, and he was struck with such amazement that for a whole day he scarcely knew where he was or what he did; and thence he dates the beginning of his being religious. Let us enquire what there is in those strong lines".

Francis Junius was wonderfully converted after reading few verses from the chapter one of the book of John. Let us enquire into those texts which led to his conversion. Apostle John by the Spirit penned down these words: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being (John 1: 1-3).

The Greek translation of "word" is "logos" and "logos" means "thought", "word", "speech". In ancient Greek philosophy, the logos was viewed as an impersonal, principle of divine reason, creative power and the divine intelligence which sustains and governs the universe. But apostle John by the Spirit referred to Jesus Christ as the logos. He wrote: John 1:1

''In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word (logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God''.

There is a striking resemblance between, "In the beginning was the word" and what is written in the book of Genesis, which says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1; 1).  Apostle John made it clear that the logos was present from the beginning of creation. This means that before time began, the logos was already in being. This proves beyond reasonable doubt the eternal nature of the logos. The logos was in preexistence not as an impersonal force, but as a personal divine being. 

"The Word (logos) was with God"

This reveals the eternal relationship between the logos and God. The logos has always being in a close and intimate fellowship with God. On earth the logos prayed thus, "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was (John 17; 5). The second person of the trinity, the divine logos was in union with God and they enjoyed each other's company even before time began. This text also proves that the doctrine of the trinity is true irrespective of the numerous attacks. At least we can clearly see from this text, that the logos is a distinct person from God. The logos and God are not one and the same person, as some people believe, but they are different personalities and yet possesses the same divine nature.

"And the word was God"

The whole purpose of the book of John was written primarily to prove the deity of the logos. John walked with the logos for three and half years and he was fully convinced of his deity. The words he heard him speak about himself, and the works of his hands were irrefutable evidences that the logos was truly God. The logos was not a ''god'' as the Jehovah's witnesses poorly and wickedly translates it in their own version of the bible. The correct translation is, "the word was God" and not, the "word was a god". 

They did this because they do not believe the logos is God. They mistranslated it in their version of the bible, in order to suit their false doctrine which denies the deity of the logos. There are countless passages which affirm the deity of the logos and one of them is this, " And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5; 20). The eternal essence of the logos is stated conspicuously without obscurity in these words, "the word was God".

John 1: 3

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

The apostle applied the concept of the logos in a way that was foreign to Greek thought. The apostle is saying that the logos is not an impersonal creative force, but presents the logos as the active agent of creation. All things came into existence through the logos. This means that the logos is not part of creation, but he is the creator of all things which exists.

The author of Hebrews wrote: In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands (Hebrews 1: 2, 10).

I have engaged in serious debate with certain people who deny the creatorship of the logos, and for me it is strange that they continue to defend their position, though it is clearly written.

Look at what apostle Paul wrote: For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1; 16). From the text, Paul makes it known to us, that the eternal logos was the active agent through which creation came into existence. Any other teachings in antithesis to this, I know not.

John 1: 14

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The logos who was preexistent with God from the beginning and was God himself, as well as the creator of all things became incarnate. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the logos made flesh. Jesus Christ was the logos made flesh, who lived among us with the primary motive to seek and to save that which was lost, see (Luke 19; 10). The logos was manifested in the flesh and through the sacrifice of himself, he has purchased salvation for us.

John 1:18

No one has ever seen God; but the only and unique Son, who is identical with God and is at the Father's side- he has made him known.

When the logos became a human being, he revealed who God the father is to us. He revealed his love, his mercy, his justice and other aspects of his character to us. The Greek meaning of "known" is "exegeomai" which means to declare, to rehearse, to exegete". Jesus Christ, the eternal logos exegeted God to us. The logos in Christian theology primarily refers to the person of our Lord Jesus Christ and none else. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

 Jesus Christ, the eternal logos exegeted God to us

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