John 1:14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

made — should be “became”

The eternal Word, which is God, became flesh.

He emptied Himself of His outward glory, but not of His Deity. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7). Two natures, perfect God and perfect man, were united in one Person.

He became flesh, but not sinful flesh. He could not sin. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens (Hebrews 7:26).

Death had no claim on Jesus Christ because He was without sin and without the potential to sin. But He did have a real human body, and so He could die for us.

The Word became flesh — and still is flesh. He will return in the same body.

dwelt = tabernacled. He didn’t tabernacle in His body (that is eternal). But He tabernacled with men.

We beheld His glory — John and his fellow disciples were eye-witnesses. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (2 Peter 1:16-17).

only begotton — refers to Jesus Christ’s enternal Sonship. only = unique

Verse 14 is an extension of verse 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh …

John may have used “flesh” and not “man” to combat Docetism, which claimed that Christ only took on the appearance of man.

full = always. He is always grace and always truth.

grace = loving-kindness, that which brings joy, that which is a free gift

truth = reality, verity. In John, it usually is used in connection with Divine revelation.

He was, and is, the God-man, yet the Divine and human in Him were never confounded. His Deity, though veiled, was never laid aside; His humanity, though sinless, was a real humanity; for as incarnate, He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As “the Word” then, He is the Son of God; as “flesh,” the Son of man.

This union of the two natures in the Person of Christ was necessary in order to fit Him for the office of Mediator. Three great ends were accomplished by God becoming incarnate, by the Word being made flesh. First, it was now possible for Him to die. Second, He can now be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Third, He has left us an example, that we should follow His steps.— Pink, page 33.

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