The message and meaning of John 1:16
The message of John 1:16 reveals everything we need in life is available with God.
God’s fullness is domiciled in Christ. Out of this fullness is where believers tap into as desired. The grace of God is readily available at will for every child of God.
Paul said I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
There is nothing we cannot achieve in life as a believer. All we need is the grace required for such demand.
Our journey as a Christian which begins with salvation is through grace. Grace is a fundamental asset for every true believer.
Ephesians 2 verses 8 to 10 says,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
This is the first and the best grace we have received from God. God bought our salvation with the blood of His only Son for the remission of our sins. No one deserves this amazing grace but God so loved us and He gave out His only begotten Son so we can have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” ( John chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 )
This is the foundation of the greater grace that God has made available for us but it didn’t end there. God continued to bestow grace upon grace as we walk and grow in Him.
As we walk with Him, He also made the grace available for us to walk in righteousness. We do not have the power to control ourselves when it comes to the devices of the devil. This is what some people refer to as temptation. The grace of God is sufficient to keep us away from sin.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” ( Titus chapter 2 verses 11 to 12 )
Some people misinterpret mercy as grace. Mercy is scratching on something, not getting what you merit. Grace, on the other hand, is getting a lot more than what you deserve and what you don’t even deserve. The plan of God is for believers to enjoy the continuous flow of this virtue as it were.
There is another special grace available for us on the altar of prayer. We are admonished to take advantage of this grace anytime we appear before God in prayers.
Hebrews 4 verse 16 says,
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. “
God’s faithfulness and grace are new every day. It is by His mercies that we are not consumed, His compassion cannot fail, they are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. We have an assurance of a never-ending supply of His grace.
“And of his fulness,” meaning
“And of his fulness,” means our inheritance in Christ is out of the fulness of God.
Everything we have from Jesus comes from God. Jesus is just a channel that God has made readily available for us to access that inheritance. Jesus said in John 5 verse 30,
“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. “
He does everything from the fullness of God. He became flesh and dwell among us. To show the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth to the world.
That is why Paul says in Philippians 4 verses 19 and 20,
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. “
“We have all received,” meaning
“We have all received,” means we are partakers of the divine provisions of God through Christ Jesus.
Everything we are and have today is by the grace of God given unto us at different levels, and at different times. No one should boast of any achievement by himself. You are who you are through what you have received from Him.
Paul was very conscious of this grace. He cautioned other brethren in 1 Corinthians 4 verses 6 and 7,
“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? “
As long as you are a bonafide child of God, you are entitled to everything that He has. If a true child will not need to struggle for the inheritance of his father, how much more is our heavenly Father freely giving His resources to us?
In Matthew 7 verse 11, the Bible says,
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!.
God is not unjust, He is a loving father.”
Remember what the scripture says in Revelations 5 verse 12.
“Saying with a loud voice:“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
This scripture talks about the seven sevenfold benefits of redemption. Jesus brought all these inheritances to us through His death and resurrection.
Your access to it solely depends on how you are standing with him.
These benefits are all made available to us through the grace of God.
“and grace for grace,” meaning
“and grace for grace,” means there is no limit to what what we can receive from God.
Grace in the context above represents divine supplies. The supply is constantly open for all that are connected to it. Every human being is a product of the grace and blessings of God upon their lives. The grace of God is all we need to have our needs met. It is sufficient for every child of God.
Apostle Paul says that God’s grace is sufficient
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12 verses 9 to 10).
He was talking about heavenly vision, quoting Jesus’s declarations. My Grace is sufficient for you.
Jesus made it clear to us in Ephesians 3 verses 20 to 21,
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
He is capable of doing even above what we think or ask from him. One major hindrance to the degree of grace we enjoy from God is unrighteousness.
Sin is a robber and destroyer of destinies.
Isaiah 59 verses 1 to 2 cautions us,
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”
Stay away from sin, if you want to enjoy the unlimited grace of God, and you will be glad you do so.
The message translation broke this passage into simple terms. We all live off his generous abundance, gift after gift after gift. We got the basics from Moses, and then this exuberant giving and receiving, This endless knowing and understanding, all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
Grace is a gift, and a special gift from God through His Son Jesus. The grace was made available to all the children of God from the very first day we gave our life to Christ. The journey began with the unmatchable grace of God and continued with the provision of more grace and greater grace.
Every available provision in the kingdom is always increasing.
Proverbs 4 verses 18 and 19 say,
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.“
Grace is the demonstration of God’s favor and kindness toward His children. The expression of God’s love to believers is by grace. It is the love of God that birthed grace. You cannot separate Love and grace. That is why God sent His only begotten Son to us. Who else will do that?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” ( John 3 verse 16 )
Grace is receiving what we do not deserve. This message talks about receiving those things not at once but continually. No wonder Apostle Paul included it in his conclusive greetings and benediction to the Corinthians.
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” ( 2 Corinthians 13 verses 11 to 14 )
This is what an average Christian also uses to conclude their prayers today.
Let’s take a deep dive to reveal the meaning of this scripture from the fourth gospel of the bible.
Who wrote John 1:16 and when was it written?
John 1:16 was written by John the Evangelist. Most scholars believe is not the same as John the Apostle. It was written around 250 AD.
What is the context of John 1?
The context of John 1 talks about the promise and identification of the true Messiah.
Jesus is the true Messiah. John did not make the mistake of presenting himself as the Messiah when the Jews and Levites came to ask him. Jesus is a not stranger to the events of heaven and earth.
John 1 verses 1 to 3 mention,
“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 were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 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.“
Jesus is the word personified. He is the eternal word. Jesus was with God from the foundation of the world. In verse 14, the Bible says, The word became 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.
This first chapter talks about the witness of John. John bears witness to Jesus who is referred to as the true light that gives light to every man coming into the world.
that all through Him might believe. He gave an account of Jesus, that He was in the world, even as the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him, neither did they receive Him but as many that received Him, who believe in His name: born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. to them He gave the power to become children of God.
John was very sincere. he cried out to the people “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.
I called John the forerunner of Jesus, that is who he is. He did not do otherwise.
He prepared the minds of the people of who Jesus is and what He is capable of doing. He mentioned what Jesus has come to offer, grace for grace, comparing it to the ministry of Moses through whom we received the laws.
Look at the testimony of John in John 1 verses 19 to 23,
“Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said.”
The people who came to meet him were amazed at his words and asked him a confusing question. “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John reiterates to them. He made them understand, that even if he baptized does not make him the Messiah. He who, coming after me, is greater than me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to lose.”
Jesus finally showed up the next day. John was very excited to introduce Him to the people. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’
“And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” ( John chapter 1 verses 32 to 34 )
The chapter ended with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry as He commenced choosing his disciples.
What are the major Types of Grace in the bible?
There are various types of grace in the bible. God releases His grace to people in the form of gifts. You cannot earn or purchase grace. Below are some of the different types of grace.
Common Grace
Just as its name is, it is a common grace for everyone whether you are a believer or not. God loves everyone and releases His common grace to them all, but He likes some people.
Jesus admonishes us to do the same in Luke chapter 6 verses 35 and 36,
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
He gives special grace to the ones He likes. Common Grace is God’s love for everyone whether you are a believer or not but believers will enjoy both common grace and special grace. Some also call special grace Amazing grace.
Enablement Grace
This is the most common type of grace among people. it is the type of grace that helps you to become what you want to and can also take you to the place that God has prepared for you.
Paul attributes his achievement in ministry not to his efforts but to the grace of God.
“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” ( 1 Corinthians 15 verses 9 to 11 )
Jesus Christ also confirms this fact. Saying He can of himself do nothing. As He hears, He judge,
This grace is sometimes referred to as sustaining grace. It is the grace that keeps us going in the midst of trials and temptations.
Salvation Grace
This is the grace that justified every child of God to have access to salvation through Christ Jesus. God so loved the world that He sacrificed His son for us to be justified, otherwise, no one would be qualified to be saved. Everyone came into this world through the sin of Adam but thank God we are all washed by the blood of the precious Lamb, Jesus from the cross of Calvary and we can now enjoy new life.
The grace of God is a vital factor in the salvation of our souls. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our human efforts. We are God’s workmanship created in His Son Jesus for the preparation of His good works which He has ordained for us. It is also by grace that our spiritual nature is sustained in Christ Jesus.
We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God by one man’s sin. At the same time, the glory of the Lord was restored to all through the sacrifice of one man which we all are partakers by the saving grace that is made available to us.
This is the reason Christians should not be ashamed to spread the gospel of salvation.
2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 8 to 9 says,
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
Sanctifying Grace
Salvation is the beginning of a journey of a triumphant Christian life both on earth and in heaven. Giving your life to Christ is a decision not only to know Him on the day you make that decision but to walk with Him.
How can you walk with God if you are not like Him? Being like God in this context means to be holy like Him.
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;” ( 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 15 to 17 )
Holiness as it were is a process. The required process is called sanctification.
His Spirit begins the process of our inner transformation. It is God’s sanctifying grace that changes us into the likeness and image of Jesus. This grace is also available for every child of God who truly believes.
Regular fellowship enhances the retention of this type of grace. They go from strength to strength every that appeared before the Lord in Zion. Zion is a place of worship. Strength in Zion covers every aspect of our spiritual lives that needs sustenance.
In the same vein, we can say they go from grace to grace, everyone that appears before God. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching.
What is the difference in biblical translations John 1:16 (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
John 1:16 NKJV biblical translation “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”
John 1:16 KJV biblical translation “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”
John 1:16 NIV biblical translation “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
John 1:16 ESV biblical translation “ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
There is no difference between NKJV and KJV translations. The 2 translations are written almost the same way.
The difference is between NIV and ESV translations.
Grace already given, in NIV is replaced by grace upon grace, in ESV. The two phrases mean being offered before now.
The four translations have the same meaning.
How do I apply John 1:16 to my life?
Applying John 1:16 to my life is to humble myself to God, asking him for the grace required for every step in life.
God is the fountain of grace to believers. Out of the fullness of grace, we are who we are today. Our access to the fountain is through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The best place to secure all the graces mentioned above is to be settled in the sanctuary.
God said to the people of Israel in the Old Testament, 2 Samuel chapter 7 verses 9 to 10,
“And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,”
The place referred to in the above passage is a special place God has reserved the people. The special grace of God is domiciled in the church.
We also saw that in the New Testament in Hebrews chapter 12 verses 22 to 24,
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
Imagine all the forces that are present in Zion, the church of God in the above message. Angels without number, the general assembly, the spirit of all the just men, Jesus is also present, the blood of sprinkling and God Himself as the Judge.
Brethren, what type of grace do you need that you cannot get with all these forces?
Ask Him for grace every time you appear before Him.
Humble yourself before Him, He will release His grace upon you without measure.
What is John 1:16 prayer?
Heavenly Father, thank You for your grace that has sustained me from my inception till now. Grant me the grace to achieve your plans and purpose in my life. Deliver me from every filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit so I can be in your presence and remain a continuous partaker of your amazing grace all the days of my life, this I pray in Jesus’s name. AMEN
Conclusion
Everyone in this life needs grace. You can’t live without grace or you will be disgraced. God manifests Himself to His children through different types of grace on different levels. Anything that cannot stop God cannot stop the grace of God in your life. Our spiritual wants, spiritual gifts, and spiritual blessings are all available on the throne of grace..
Believers are helpless without the grace of God.
Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14 to 16 mention,
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Crave for His grace every time you approach Him. God is our infinite source of grace. The good news is, that He is ever ready to give us the full measure of the fullness of his grace and superabundance of his grace.