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Selected Verse: John 1:3 - American Standard

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 1:3	American Standard	All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
	King James	All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
All things, &c.--all things absolutely (as is evident from Joh 1:10; Co1 8:6; Col 1:16-17; but put beyond question by what follows). without Him was not any thing--not one thing. made--brought into being. that was made--This is a denial of the eternity and non-creation of matter, which was held by the whole thinking world outside of Judaism and Christianity: or rather, its proper creation was never so much as dreamt of save by the children of revealed religion.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

All things, &c.--all things absolutely (as is evident from Joh 1:10; Co1 8:6; Col 1:16-17; but put beyond question by what follows).

without Him was not any thing--not one thing.

made--brought into being.

that was made--This is a denial of the eternity and non-creation of matter, which was held by the whole thinking world outside of Judaism and Christianity: or rather, its proper creation was never so much as dreamt of save by the children of revealed religion.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
All things - The universe. The expression cannot be limited to any part of the universe. It appropriately expresses everything which exists - all the vast masses of material worlds, and all the animals and things, great or small, that compose those worlds. See Rev 4:11; Heb 1:2; Col 1:16. Were made - The original word is from the verb "to be," and signifies "were" by him; but it expresses the idea of creation here. It does not alter the sense whether it is said "'were' by him," or "were 'created' by him." The word is often used in the sense of "creating," or forming from nothing. See Jam 3:9; and Gen 2:4; Isa 48:7; in the Septuagint. By him - In this place it is affirmed that "creation" was effected by "the Word," or the Son of God. In Gen 1:1, it is said that the Being who created the heavens and the earth was God. In Psa 102:25-28, this work is ascribed to Yahweh. The "Word," or the Son of God, is therefore appropriately called "God." The work of "creation" is uniformly ascribed in the Scriptures to the Second Person of the Trinity. See Col 1:16; Heb 1:2, Heb 1:10. By this is meant, evidently, that he was the agent, or the efficient cause, by which the universe was made. There is no higher proof of omnipotence than the work of creation; and, hence, God often appeals to that work to prove that he is the true God, in opposition to idols. See Isa 40:18-28; Jer 10:3-16; Psa 24:2; Psa 39:11; Pro 3:19. It is absurd to say that God can invest a creature with omnipotence. If He can make a creature omnipotent, He can make him omniscient, and can in the same way make him omnipresent, and infinitely wise and good; that is, He can invest a creature with all His own attributes, or make another being like Himself, or, which is the same thing, there could be two Gods, or as many Gods as He should choose to make. But this is absurd! The Being, therefore, that "created" all things must be divine; and, since this work is ascribed to Jesus Christ, and as it is uniformly in the Scriptures declared to be the work of God, Jesus Christ is therefore equal with the Father. Without him - Without his agency; his notice; the exertion of his power. Compare Mat 10:29. This is a strong way of speaking, designed to confirm, beyond the possibility of doubt, what he had just said. He says, therefore, in general, that all things were made by Christ. In this part of the verse he shuts out all doubt, and affirms that there was "no exception;" that there was not a single thing, however minute or unimportant, which was not made by him. In this way, he confirms what he said in the first verse. Christ was not merely called God, but he did the works of God, and therefore the name is used in its proper sense as implying supreme divinity. To this same test Jesus himself appealed as proving that he was divine. Joh 10:37, "if I do not the works of my Father, believe me not." Joh 5:17, "my Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

All things - The universe. The expression cannot be limited to any part of the universe. It appropriately expresses everything which exists - all the vast masses of material worlds, and all the animals and things, great or small, that compose those worlds. See Rev 4:11; Heb 1:2; Col 1:16.

Were made - The original word is from the verb "to be," and signifies "were" by him; but it expresses the idea of creation here. It does not alter the sense whether it is said "'were' by him," or "were 'created' by him." The word is often used in the sense of "creating," or forming from nothing. See Jam 3:9; and Gen 2:4; Isa 48:7; in the Septuagint.

By him - In this place it is affirmed that "creation" was effected by "the Word," or the Son of God. In Gen 1:1, it is said that the Being who created the heavens and the earth was God. In Psa 102:25-28, this work is ascribed to Yahweh. The "Word," or the Son of God, is therefore appropriately called "God." The work of "creation" is uniformly ascribed in the Scriptures to the Second Person of the Trinity. See Col 1:16; Heb 1:2, Heb 1:10. By this is meant, evidently, that he was the agent, or the efficient cause, by which the universe was made. There is no higher proof of omnipotence than the work of creation; and, hence, God often appeals to that work to prove that he is the true God, in opposition to idols. See Isa 40:18-28; Jer 10:3-16; Psa 24:2; Psa 39:11; Pro 3:19. It is absurd to say that God can invest a creature with omnipotence. If He can make a creature omnipotent, He can make him omniscient, and can in the same way make him omnipresent, and infinitely wise and good; that is, He can invest a creature with all His own attributes, or make another being like Himself, or, which is the same thing, there could be two Gods, or as many Gods as He should choose to make. But this is absurd! The Being, therefore, that "created" all things must be divine; and, since this work is ascribed to Jesus Christ, and as it is uniformly in the Scriptures declared to be the work of God, Jesus Christ is therefore equal with the Father.

Without him - Without his agency; his notice; the exertion of his power. Compare Mat 10:29. This is a strong way of speaking, designed to confirm, beyond the possibility of doubt, what he had just said. He says, therefore, in general, that all things were made by Christ. In this part of the verse he shuts out all doubt, and affirms that there was "no exception;" that there was not a single thing, however minute or unimportant, which was not made by him. In this way, he confirms what he said in the first verse. Christ was not merely called God, but he did the works of God, and therefore the name is used in its proper sense as implying supreme divinity. To this same test Jesus himself appealed as proving that he was divine. Joh 10:37, "if I do not the works of my Father, believe me not." Joh 5:17, "my Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
All things (πάντα) Regarded severally. The reference is to the infinite detail of creation, rather than to creation as a whole, which is expressed by τὰ πάντα, the all (Col 1:16). For this reason John avoids the word κόσμος, the world, which denotes the world as a great system. Hence Bengel, quoted by Meyer, is wrong in referring to κόσμῳ (the world) of Joh 1:10 as a parallel. Were made (ἐγένετο) Literally, came into being, or became. Expressing the passage from nothingness into being, and the unfolding of a divine order. Compare Joh 1:14, Joh 1:17. Three words are used in the New Testament to express the act of creation: κτίζειν, to create (Rev 4:11; Rev 10:6; Col 1:16); ποιεῖν, to make (Rev 14:7; Mar 10:6), both of which refer to the Creator; and γίγνεσθαι, to become, which refers to that which is created. In Mar 10:6, both words occur. "From the beginning of the creation (κτίσεως) God made" (ἐποίησεν). So in Eph 2:10 : "We are His workmanship (ποίημα), created (κτισθέντες) in Christ Jesus." Here the distinction is between the absolute being expressed by ἦν (see on Joh 1:1), and the coming into being of creation (ἐγένετο). The same contrast occurs in Joh 1:6, Joh 1:9. "A man sent from God came into being" (ἐγένετο); "the true Light was" (ἦν). "The main conception of creation which is present in the writings of St. John is expressed by the first notice which he makes of it: All things came into being through the Word. This statement sets aside the notions of eternal matter and of inherent evil in matter. 'There was when' the world 'was not' (Joh 17:5, Joh 17:24); and, by implication, all things as made were good. The agency of the Word, 'who was God,' again excludes both the idea of a Creator essentially inferior to God, and the idea of an abstract Monotheism in which there is no living relation between the creature and the Creator; for as all things come into being 'through' the Word, so they are supported 'in' Him (Joh 1:3; compare Col 1:16 sq.; Heb 1:3). And yet more, the use of the term ἐγένετο, came into being, as distinguished from ἐκτίσθη, were created, suggests the thought that creation is to be regarded (according to our apprehension) as a manifestation of a divine law of love. Thus creation (all things came into being through Him) answers to the Incarnation (the Word became flesh). All the unfolding and infolding of finite being to the last issue lies in the fulfillment of His will who is love" (Westcott, on Jo1 2:17). By Him (δἰ αὐτοῦ) Literally, through him. The preposition διά is generally used to denote the working of God through some secondary agency, as διὰ τοῦ προφήτου, through the prophet (Mat 1:22, on which see note). It is the preposition by which the relation of Christ to creation is usually expressed (see Co1 8:6; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2), though it is occasionally used of the Father (Heb 2:10; Rom 11:36, and Gal 1:1, where it is used of both). Hence, as Godet remarks, it "does not lower the Word to the rank of a simple instrument," but merely implies a different relation to creation on the part of the Father and the Son. Without (χωρὶς) Literally, apart from. Compare Joh 15:5. Was not anything made that was made (ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν ὁ γέγονεν). Many authorities place the period after ἕν, and join ὁ γένονεν with what follows, rendering, "without Him was not anything made. That which hath been made was life in Him." Made (ἐγένετο) As before, came into being. Not anything (οὐδὲ ἓν) Literally, not even one thing. Compare on πάντα (all things) at the beginning of this verse. That was made (ὁ γέγονεν) Rev., more correctly, that hath been made, observing the force of the perfect tense as distinguished from the aorist (ἐγένετο) The latter tense points back to the work of creation considered as a definite act or series of acts in the beginning of time. The perfect tense indicates the continuance of things created; so that the full idea is, that which hath been made and exists. The combination of a positive and negative clause (compare Joh 1:20) is characteristic of John's style, as also of James'. See note on "wanting nothing," Jam 1:4.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

All things (πάντα)

Regarded severally. The reference is to the infinite detail of creation, rather than to creation as a whole, which is expressed by τὰ πάντα, the all (Col 1:16). For this reason John avoids the word κόσμος, the world, which denotes the world as a great system. Hence Bengel, quoted by Meyer, is wrong in referring to κόσμῳ (the world) of Joh 1:10 as a parallel.

Were made (ἐγένετο)

Literally, came into being, or became. Expressing the passage from nothingness into being, and the unfolding of a divine order. Compare Joh 1:14, Joh 1:17. Three words are used in the New Testament to express the act of creation: κτίζειν, to create (Rev 4:11; Rev 10:6; Col 1:16); ποιεῖν, to make (Rev 14:7; Mar 10:6), both of which refer to the Creator; and γίγνεσθαι, to become, which refers to that which is created. In Mar 10:6, both words occur. "From the beginning of the creation (κτίσεως) God made" (ἐποίησεν). So in Eph 2:10 : "We are His workmanship (ποίημα), created (κτισθέντες) in Christ Jesus." Here the distinction is between the absolute being expressed by ἦν (see on Joh 1:1), and the coming into being of creation (ἐγένετο). The same contrast occurs in Joh 1:6, Joh 1:9. "A man sent from God came into being" (ἐγένετο); "the true Light was" (ἦν).

"The main conception of creation which is present in the writings of St. John is expressed by the first notice which he makes of it: All things came into being through the Word. This statement sets aside the notions of eternal matter and of inherent evil in matter. 'There was when' the world 'was not' (Joh 17:5, Joh 17:24); and, by implication, all things as made were good. The agency of the Word, 'who was God,' again excludes both the idea of a Creator essentially inferior to God, and the idea of an abstract Monotheism in which there is no living relation between the creature and the Creator; for as all things come into being 'through' the Word, so they are supported 'in' Him (Joh 1:3; compare Col 1:16 sq.; Heb 1:3). And yet more, the use of the term ἐγένετο, came into being, as distinguished from ἐκτίσθη, were created, suggests the thought that creation is to be regarded (according to our apprehension) as a manifestation of a divine law of love. Thus creation (all things came into being through Him) answers to the Incarnation (the Word became flesh). All the unfolding and infolding of finite being to the last issue lies in the fulfillment of His will who is love" (Westcott, on Jo1 2:17).

By Him (δἰ αὐτοῦ)

Literally, through him. The preposition διά is generally used to denote the working of God through some secondary agency, as διὰ τοῦ προφήτου, through the prophet (Mat 1:22, on which see note). It is the preposition by which the relation of Christ to creation is usually expressed (see Co1 8:6; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2), though it is occasionally used of the Father (Heb 2:10; Rom 11:36, and Gal 1:1, where it is used of both). Hence, as Godet remarks, it "does not lower the Word to the rank of a simple instrument," but merely implies a different relation to creation on the part of the Father and the Son.

Without (χωρὶς)

Literally, apart from. Compare Joh 15:5.

Was not anything made that was made (ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν ὁ γέγονεν).

Many authorities place the period after ἕν, and join ὁ γένονεν with what follows, rendering, "without Him was not anything made. That which hath been made was life in Him."

Made (ἐγένετο)

As before, came into being.

Not anything (οὐδὲ ἓν)

Literally, not even one thing. Compare on πάντα (all things) at the beginning of this verse.

That was made (ὁ γέγονεν)

Rev., more correctly, that hath been made, observing the force of the perfect tense as distinguished from the aorist (ἐγένετο) The latter tense points back to the work of creation considered as a definite act or series of acts in the beginning of time. The perfect tense indicates the continuance of things created; so that the full idea is, that which hath been made and exists. The combination of a positive and negative clause (compare Joh 1:20) is characteristic of John's style, as also of James'. See note on "wanting nothing," Jam 1:4.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
All things beside God were made, and all things which were made, were made by the Word. In Joh 1:1-2 is described the state of things before the creation: Joh 1:3, In the creation: Joh 1:4, In the time of man's innocency: Joh 1:5, In the time of man's corruption.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
All things were made by him - That is, by this Logos. In Gen 1:1, God is said to have created all things: in this verse, Christ is said to have created all things: the same unerring Spirit spoke in Moses and in the evangelists: therefore Christ and the Father are One. To say that Christ made all things by a delegated power from God is absurd; because the thing is impossible. Creation means causing that to exist that had no previous being: this is evidently a work which can be effected only by omnipotence. Now, God cannot delegate his omnipotence to another: were this possible, he to whom this omnipotence was delegated would, in consequence, become God; and he from whom it was delegated would cease to be such: for it is impossible that there should be two omnipotent beings. On these important passages I find that many eminently learned men differ from me: it seems they cannot be of my opinion, and I feel I cannot be of theirs. May He, who is the Light and the Truth, guide them and me into all truth!

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¹⁶ for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;
¹⁷ and he is before all things, and in him all things consist.

⁶ yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.

¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

³⁷ If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:

¹⁹ Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.

¹¹ When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: Surely every man is vanity. Selah

² For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods.

³ For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
⁴ They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
⁵ They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.
⁶ There is none like unto thee, O Jehovah; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
⁷ Who should not fear thee, O King of the nations? for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee.
⁸ But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.
⁹ There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men.
¹⁰ But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
¹¹ Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.
¹² He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens:
¹³ when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.
¹⁴ Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
¹⁵ They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
¹⁶ The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Jehovah of hosts is his name.

¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
¹⁹ The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth for it silver chains.
²⁰ He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved.
²¹ Have ye not known? have yet not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
²² It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in;
²³ that bringeth princes to nothing; that maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
²⁴ Yea, they have not been planted; yea, they have not been sown; yea, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble.
²⁵ To whom then will ye liken me, that I should be equal to him? saith the Holy One.
²⁶ Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking.
²⁷ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God?
²⁸ Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding.

¹⁰ And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:

² hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

²⁵ Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.
²⁶ They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
²⁷ But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.
²⁸ The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

⁷ They are created now, and not from of old; and before this day thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.

⁴ These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven.

⁹ Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

² hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

¹¹ Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

⁴ And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

²⁰ And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.

⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.

¹ Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

³⁶ For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

² hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

⁶ yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

²² Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

³ who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

³ All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

²⁴ Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

⁵ And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

⁹ There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.

⁶ There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

⁶ But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them.

⁷ and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.

⁶ and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer:

¹¹ Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.

⁵ And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

³ All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
² The same was in the beginning with God.

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.