Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 96:381 (Jan 1939)
Article: Grace and Truth Studies in the Gospel according to St. John Part 1
Author: J. F. Strombeck

BSac 96:381 (Jan 39) p. 88

Grace and Truth
Studies in the Gospel according to St. John
Part 1

J. F. Strombeck

Introduction

This article is by no means offered as an exhaustive study of the subject under consideration. Its purpose is rather suggestive, to call attention to a method of approach and interpretation of the Gospel according to St. John not generally recognized. It is hoped that it may help some to enter more deeply than before into the truths concerning the grace of God as found in this book. It would require a volume of considerable size to adequately consider the entire Gospel. It has therefore seemed advisable to select certain passages and deal with them in detail and merely suggest a line of thought for others. Still others have had to be passed over entirely. This does not, however, mean that those passages are not subject to the same method of interpretation.

The apostle John states clearly why the gospel bearing his name was written, in these words: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing ye might have life through his name” (Ch. 20:30, 31). These verses are generally accepted as the key passage to the gospel. There is, however, another verse, of which this passage might well be considered a corollary, that even more fully opens up and illuminates the deep things of God that are to be found in this gospel. This is verse seventeen of the first Chapter. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” This verse includes

BSac 96:381 (Jan 39) p. 89

all that is in the first mentioned passage, but that truth is here set forth in contrast to the law as a bright diamond against a background of black velvet. As the velvet adds to the brilliancy of the diamond, so against the law which was given by Moses, grace and truth are seen in excelling glory.

To say that “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” is to say “that believing ye might have life through his name,” because “Grace reigns...unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 5:21). The fact “that believing” is the condition for receiving life, again shows that life is of grace; for faith and grace are inseparable. “It is of faith that it might be by grace” (Rom 4:16). And once more, life is “through his name.” His name is that which He is and did. Whatever God gives because of the merit of Christ is always of grace. In fact it is the merit of ...