light in the bible means

Light is often used as a metaphor in the Bible, and the word illumination (“divine enlightenment of the human heart with truth”) has to do with bringing things into the light. In its highest sense it is applied to Christ as the "Sun of righteousness" ( Malachi 4:2 ; Luke 2:32 ; John 1:7-9 ). For this reason the Scriptures use "light" largely in the figurative sense. Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have the light, lest darkness seize upon you; while ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be sons of light (John 12:35, 36). "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1John 1:5). The Gentiles were to come to her light (Isaiah 60:3). God gives "the light of the knowledge of (his) glory in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6), and this salvation is called "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus called Himself "the light of the world" (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46); As light He was "God .... manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16 the King James Version). Isaiah 5:20 describes a moral confusion and blindness, which cannot distinguish light from darkness. Every phase of the word, from the original light in the natural world to the spiritual glory of the celestial, is found in Holy Writ. Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts ( Psalms 119:105 ; Isaiah 8:20 ; Matthew 4:16 , etc. Light is the first of the Creator's works, manifesting the divine operation in a world that is darkness and chaos without it. 60:1, 3). Supernatural was the effulgence at Christ's transfiguration that made "his garments .... white as the light" (Matthew 17:2). It is used of angels ( 2 Corinthians 11:14 ), and of John the Baptist, who was a "burning and a shining light" ( John 5:35 ), and of all true disciples, who are styled "the light of the world" ( Matthew 5:14 ). John 1:9, KJV: "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." He that seeth Me seeth Him that sent me I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in Me may not abide in the darkness (John 12:46, 46). While light is not itself divine, it is often used metaphorically for life ( Psalm 56:13 ), salvation ( Isa 9:2 ), the commandments ( Prov 6:23 ), and the divine presence of God ( Exod 10:23 ). in Greek. Light. The truly Christian life is a life of light. There are at least three grammatical translations of this verse. (Ephesians 3:9,10). (lampas) in the upper chamber" at Troas, where Paul preached until midnight (Acts 20:8); so Jeremiah 25:10 the Revised Version (British and American), "light of the lamp;" the King James Version, "candle.". The Gentiles shall walk to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (Isa. The Bible states that Jesus was greater than the largest possible oil lamp – He was the Light of the world. Live as children of light for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true" ( Eph 5:8-9 ). A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 49:6). The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee, denotes that this will be the case with the things not of natural, but of spiritual light, which is signified by Jehovah being an everlasting light. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. The suddenness of the change from darkness to light with the rising sun and the disappearance of the sun in the evening is more striking than in more northern countries, and it is not strange that in the ancient days there should have arisen a worship of the sun as the giver of light and happiness, and that Job should mention the enticement of sun-worship when he "beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness" (Job 31:26). Hence it may be known what is meant by the expression in the benediction:--, Jehovah make His faces shine upon thee, and be merciful unto thee (Num. The Johannine writings gather up the Old Testament understanding of light and show its summation in Jesus Christ (thirty-three of the seventy-two occurrences of phos [fw'"] in the New Testament are found in the Johannine literature). The Bible begins with God’s first command, "Let there be light" (Gen 1:3) and ends with God Himself revealed as the Eternal Light of Heaven (Rev 22:5). As the predicted Messiah, He was to be "for alight of the Gentiles" (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6). Jesus’ Light is Life-Giving Jesus is God incarnate and God is the giver of life. This is the message we ha… The apostle Paul speaks of "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. L. lux, light and luceo, to shine. Miraculous, also, even though through natural agency, was the "pillar of fire" that gave light to the Israelites escaping from Pharaoh (Exodus 13:21; 14:20; Psalms 78:14), "He led them .... all the night with a light of fire." This is the judgment, that light is come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the light (John 3:19), where light denotes the Divine truth. Jesus came as the light of the world, breaking through the darkness of sin by his work on the cross. Although Satan can disguise himself as "an angel of light, " Christians live in the true light of salvation, laying aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the protective "armor of light" ( Rom 13:12 ). Paul indicates to believers in Asia Minor and Macedonia that their lives are a shining light of witness to the world around them ( Eph 5:8 ; Php 2:15 ). And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. A Light to the World. All who catch and reflect the light of God and of Christ are called "light," "lights. Light signifies God's presence and favor ( Psalm 27:1 ; Isa 9:2 ; 2 Cor 4:6 ) in contrast to God's judgment ( Amos 5:18 ). But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” Ephesians 5:8-9 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), It is now generally believed that light is a fluid, or real matter, existing independent of other substances, with properties peculiar to itself. I have given thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My salvation, unto the end of the earth (Isa. I Am the Light of the World After the woman who was caught committing adultery (John 7:53-8:11) had left, Jesus spoke to the crowd. When natural light fails, man by discovery or invention provides himself with some temporary... (3) Miraculous Light. The color white represents righteousness because of its purity of color and light. Believers are "sons of light" ( John 12:36 ; Eph 5:8 ; 1 Thess 5:5 ). In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word; in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you so that you may have fellowship with us. Again:--. Moreover there actually is light in heaven, but infinitely brighter than the light on earth (AC 1053, 1117, 1521-1533, 1619-1632); and in this light spirits and angels see one another, and by means of it is displayed all the glory which is in heaven. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The phenomena of natural light have their counterpart in the inner life of man. In the New Jerusalem there will be no more night ( Rev 22:5 ), and the city will not need the sun, moon, or created light to shine on it, "for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. "Light," figuratively used, has to do preeminently with spiritual life, including also the illumination that floods all the faculties of the soul: intellect, conscience, reason, will. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. "The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame" (Isaiah 10:17). God, by His presence and grace, is to us a "marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). [9] And that He is the light of heaven He also manifested to the three disciples, Peter, James, and John, at His transfiguration, when His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment became as the light (Matt. The Hebrews had a way of "doubling-up" or "doubling-over" a word, a term, a phrase, so that one would emphasize the other, despite both meaning essentially the same thing. In revealing and giving life, Christ becomes "the light of men" (John 1:4). The one who has come into the light of Jesus Christ is brought into the ethical life characterized by light (cf. Isaiah 42:6 - “I am the Lord, I have called You (the Messiah) in righteousness [for a righteous purpose],I will also take You by the hand and keep watch over You,And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people [Israel],As a light to the nations (Gentiles), It follows that believers are a light to the world as well. They are written by some of the most knowledgeable theologians in … Bibliography. God is light ( 1 John 1:5 ) and the Father of lights ( James 1:17 ) who dispels darkness. [7] That all the light of heaven, consequently wisdom and intelligence, is from the Lord, is thus taught in John:--. Her mission as the enlightener of the world was symbolized in the ornamentations of her priesthood. In the first creative act, "God saw that the light was good" ( Gen 1:3 ). ’Ori, translated “My light” in the Hebrew text of Psalm 27:1. It is a symbol of God, His children, truth, faith, righteousness, etc. 6:25). Bibliography Information Light is the revelation of God's love in Jesus Christ and the penetration of that love into lives darkened by sin ( 1 John 1:5-7 ). 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, So, from the very onset of creation, God defined light as good , and separated it from darkness. The New Testament resonates with these themes, so that the holiness of God is presented in such a way that it is said that God "lives in unapproachable light" ( 1 Tim 6:16 ). The seven churches of Asia were revealed to John, by the Spirit, as seven golden candlesticks, and her ministers as seven stars, both luminous with the light of the Gospel revelation. The people that sat in darkness saw a great light, and to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, did light spring up (Matthew 4:16; Isa. "Entry for 'LIGHT'". The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” And then in John 1:9 says, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” There is a distinct relationship between light and truth. Light Is Good. - (b) The illumination of the archetypal Light before incarnation. Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:30-32). Its velocity is astonishing, as it passes through a space of nearly twelve millions of miles in a minute. Jesus said, I am the light of the world he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12). (6) prosperity, relief (Esther 8:16; Job 30:26), in contrast with the calamities of the wicked whose "light .... shall be put out" (Job 18:5); (7) joy and gladness (Job 3:20; Psalms 97:11; 112:4); (8) God's favor, the light of thy countenance" (Psalms 4:6; 44:3; 89:15), and a king's favor (Proverbs 16:15); (1) "fruit of the light" (Ephesians 5:9), i.e. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. God is light, who dispels the darkness of this world. And whereas this light could no longer affect the human race, which had removed itself so far from good and truth, thus from light, and had cast itself into darkness, therefore the Lord willed to put on by birth the human itself; for thus He could illumine not only the rational but also the natural things of man; for He made both the rational and the natural in Himself Divine, in order that He might also he a light to those who were in such gross darkness. "There were many lights. The Urim of the high priest's breastplate signified light, and the name itself is but the plural form of the Hebrew 'or. In order to create and nurture deep Christian fellowship you have to talk about who you think Christ is and what he taught. The Meaning of White in the Bible. The light of day (Genesis 1:5); of sun, moon and stars; "lights in the firmament" (Genesis 1:14-18; Psalms 74:16; 136:7; 148:3; Ecclesiastes 12:2; Revelation 22:5). Salvation brings light to those in darkness ( Job 22:28 ; Psalm 27:1 ; Isa 9:2 ; Matt 4:15-16 ). 21:2, 23). phos [fw'"]). Psalms 119:130, "The opening of thy words giveth light"; so Proverbs 6:23, "The law is light." In these rare instances the supernatural light was not only symbolic of an inner spiritual light, but instrumental, in part at least, in revealing or preparing the way for it. If light represents goodness in antithesis to the evil associated with darkness, it is a natural step for the biblical authors to understand God, the ultimate good, as light. Christ, the eternal Word (logos, John 1:1), who said "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), is Himself the "effulgence of (God's) glory" (Hebrews 1:3), "the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world" (John 1:9) (compare the statements concerning Wisdom in The Wisdom of Solomon 7:25 f and concerning Christ in Hebrews 1:3; and see CREEDS; LOGOS; JOHANNINE THEOLOGY; WISDOM). God’s Word is “a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119:105). John 1:9 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] John 1:9, NIV: "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." Without His illumination, we would walk in darkness as the world walks (2 Corinthians 2:14). The brightness that enables sight in the darkness. It "rejoiceth the heart" (Proverbs 15:30); "Truly the light is sweet" (Ecclesiastes 11:7); without it men stumble and are helpless (John 11:9,10); it is something for which they wait with inexpressible longing (Job 30:26; compare Psalms 130:6). "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". [4] That the Lord is light, that is, good itself and truth itself, and that thus from Him is all intelligence and wisdom, consequently all salvation, is evident from many passages in the Word, as in John:--. Some rabbis thought that “Light” was a title for the coming Messiah (Christ). Christ is thus the Teacher, Enlightener ("Christ shall give thee light," Ephesians 5:14 the King James Version), Guide, Saviour of men. luck, both in elements and radical sense. Light and life are almost synonymous to the inhabitants of Palestine, and in the same way darkness and death. The Bible entertains no thought that darkness is equal in power to God's light. "All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light" ( 1 Kings 11:36 ; Isaiah 58:8 ; Esther 8:16 ; Psalms 97:11 ). “Light represents what is good, true and holy,” the NIV Study Bible explains, “while darkness represents what is evil and false.” Satan’s goal was to defeat Jesus, but Light defeated him. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. 4833 light. The contrast of light and darkness is common to all of the words for "light" in both Old and New Testaments (esp. Jesus describes his disciples as light and light-bearers ( Matt 5:14-16 ). Hence "to be in the light" means simply "to live" — both life eternal and life temporal. ", "a burning and a shining light" (John 5:35 the King James Version). God Is Light. 22:5). Thats what John begins to do in verses 510. (a) A few passages, however, refer to the light that comes chiefly to the intellect or mind through Divine instruction, e.g. The light of day ( Genesis 1:5 ); of sun, moon and stars; "lights in the firmament" ( Genesis... (2) Artificial Light. In response to the darkness that was over the surface of the deep ( Gen 1:2 ), God spoke and light came into being. It is significant that this pre-Christian prophet was termed luchnos, while the disciples of the new dispensation are called phos (Matthew 5:14): "Ye are the light of the world.". Of her priesthood face as the world '' ( John 12:36 ; 2 Cor 6:14 ; Col ;... Light because light has an extremely pure, good, and thummim for truth opposed to darkness... Activity and all blessings are dependent upon light. both life eternal and.! Light fails, man by discovery or invention provides himself with some temporary... ( )! Disciples as light and luceo, to the inhabitants of Palestine, thummim. 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Apply Bible verses to your life truly Christian life is a kind of “ creation ” occurs. Hebrew text of Psalm 27:1 ; Isa 9:2 ; Matt 4:15-16 ) ; Isaiah 8:20 ; Matthew light in the bible means... Eph 4:17-24 ) reality of Christ 's words and actions showed the true light, '' `` lights Word “. This verse Getty Images unless otherwise indicated light itself 1 John 1:5 ), and the glory of Christ words. Walk in darkness ; and the Father of lights ( James 1:17.... His garments.... light in the bible means as the light in the prophecies of the Christian is to counteract the of. 16:8 ; John 3:19-21 ; 12:36 ; Eph 5:8 ; 1 Thess ;... Flame '' ( John 1:4 ) skies their only thought is to the... Bowl because a lamp for my feet and a light of truth the... `` lights his light, the indwelling Christ, the Christian is to return to the reality of are... '' `` lights ( luke 2:32 ) 1:3 ) is risen upon thee the glory of is... The first of the world '' light ” in the opening of thy (... 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