The Greatest Theological Statement Ever Written?
Nine Observations About John 1:14
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John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
According to Grant Osborne (in his commentary on John’s Gospel), “In my opinion, this is the single greatest sentence ever written in the history of the human language, the deepest theological statement ever written.”
Now you might disagree with that sentiment. But consider that here’s a New Testament scholar who is willing to make that kind of claim about that verse. The claim should at least confirm that John 1:14 is tremendously important.
Here are nine observations about this wonderful verse.
First, the term “Word” appears again. The term refers to the Son of God, and the last time we saw the term “Word” was in John 1:1. Only in 1:1 and 1:14 in John’s Gospel does “Word” refer to the Son.
Second, “became” doesn’t refer to the transformation of one thing into another. The Son doesn’t change from deity into flesh. The Word became flesh without ceasing to be what he was.
Third, the word “flesh” denotes a body—the physical existence of the Son. The eternal Son took to himself a truly human nature, and the word “flesh” communicates this truth. Jesus didn’t merely appear to be human; he became truly human.
Fourth, “dwelt” is a verb that evokes the Old Testament tabernacle. God dwelt with his old covenant people. By specially manifesting his presence and glory, he dwelt in the tabernacle, and later he dwelt in the Jerusalem temple. The incarnate Word is the tabernacling presence of God.
Fifth, “among us” could refer generally to mankind, since the Word bodily dwelt in a fallen world with fallen creatures. Perhaps John means something narrower, though, since he and his contemporaries literally spoke, traveled, and ate with Christ. They encountered him. The incarnate Word dwelt among them.
Sixth, “We have seen” is a claim of testimony. The writer and others—“We”—have borne witness to something. The motif of witness is a major one in John’s Gospel. The writer is going to share things he has seen and heard.
Seventh, “his glory” refers to Christ’s manifest majesty. In Christ’s teachings and wonders, his glory is evident. In the transfiguration, his glory was on display—and it was an event which John, along with Peter and James, personally witnessed. Christ’s glory was ultimately revealed through the cross. In the Old Testament, God manifested his glory in the tabernacle and later in the temple. According to John 1:14, the glory of God is tabernacling among sinners.
Eighth, the language “the only Son from the Father” has to do with the unique relationship the Son has with the Father. The traditional phrase has been “only-begotten.” That phrase is fitting because the Son eternally proceeds from the Father. The Son is the only-begotten one, the one who is eternally from the Father.
Ninth, “full of grace and truth” is a phrase connecting us to the Old Testament. According to Exodus 34:6, God is “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” In John 1:14, “grace and truth” is a translation of the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew expression “steadfast love and faithfulness.” What’s true of God is true of the Son. What characterizes God characterizes the Son. The incarnate Son is full of grace and truth—abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
John 1:14 is a theologically profound statement. Meditating on it will do our souls good.
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