John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” King James Version (KJV)
| Translation | John 1:18 |
|---|---|
| ESV | No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. |
| NASB | No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. |
| NIV | No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. |
| NLT | No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. |
Also, see the meaning of They Will Know Us By Our Love in the Bible.
No One Has Seen God: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
1:15-18 As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came after John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression clearly shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as man.
All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy.
Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received even grace, a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us.
The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness, or strength.
It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Father but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the only begotten and beloved Son.
Also, see the meaning of Love the Lord Your God With All Your Heart in the Bible.
John 1:18 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
No man—”No one,” in the widest sense.
hath seen God—by immediate gaze, or direct intuition.
in the bosom of the Father—A remarkable expression, used only here, presupposing the Son’s conscious existence distinct from the Father, and expressing His immediate and most endeared access to, and absolute acquaintance with, Him.
he—emphatic; As if he should say, “He and He only hath declared Him,” because He only can.
Also, see the meaning of Life and Death Are in the Power of the Tongue in the Bible.
See More
Study Bibles contain the full text of Scripture and include explanatory notes, insightful commentary, historical timelines, comparison charts, and colorful illustrations, which help readers...
Whole Bible commentaries will help you understand every passage of Scripture better. If Bible commentaries on single books are like studying individual trees, whole-Bible commentaries will help you...