Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:18 No one has seen God [His essence, His divine nature] at any time; the [One and] only begotten God [that is, the unique Son] who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father]. [Prov 8:30] |
Bible Question:
Hi all, I was reading some of the comments about John 1:18, but they were a couple of years back, and notice those that commented haven't commented for a year or two, except Tim Morgan. Anyway, any comments as to why different Bibles use Son instead of God in this verse. ho monogenes gios, instead of "theos". My NKJV Greek English Interlinear has an explanation but ultimately, why are different mss so different? The NIV's translation has to about the worse I have seen; "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." True it is not a "literal" translation but come on! Notice the New American Standard's: No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained (Him.)" Now I can understand that one. And my second question is what does (monogenous) "only-begotten" in this verse mean? Let's get into it in depth. Our having access to lexicons on the "Net" enables us to "reason" on the semantics of various orignal-language words. Any comments?, because this verse shows me how John 1:1 should accurately be translated not colored by theology nor bias, but allowing theology to play a legitimate role in our translations. I'm in no hurry, just sincere and enjoying "Bible study" (both learning and sharing what I have learned). Truthfinder |
Bible Answer: I can’t help but step in here. I am not a student of the original languages or do I read many different translations of the Bible, my personal choice is NIV. What John 1:18 means to me is, that the unwilling heart has never seen God even though God can be clearly seen as explained, (Rom1: 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.) God had to reveal Himself to the world in a way that would force it to make a decision. If we were not able to see God why would Jesus have said, “ Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.” Phil |