“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
John 1:16
“Grace” is the theme of the Gospel. The good news for the world, since the resurrection of Christ, is that God – infinite, eternal, unchanging, holy, just, et. al. – had devised a plan to be “both just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). Instead of lowering the eternal gavel with a sentence of condemnation, God predetermined to save some by grace. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God… This grace is freely initiated by God, underserved by us, and is boundless.
As you would expect, grace is a dominant theme in the New Testament – the term appears over 150 times. While the concept saturates John’s Gospel, the term itself only appears three times in the first chapter. It is wonderful what John says in 1:16, but the meaning of the second half isn’t entirely clear. What does John mean we have received “grace upon grace”?
For starters, we know it must mean something fantastic! Afterall, John is writing the entire chapter with a tone of praise for the incarnate Word! But this preposition translated “upon” is ἀντὶ, from where we get the English prefix “anti-”. It’s meaning in English is typically something that is opposed, or set in contrast to another. In Greek it is a bit softer – something “instead of,” “over-against” or “in place of” another. It’s used to convey the idea of Christ’s substitution in Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (cf. Mark 10:45). In that verse this ἀντὶ “for” conveys the idea of Christ dying in our place, or “instead of” us.
Although they use different nouns, a similar grammatical phrase to John 1:16 appears in Romans 12:17, “Never pay back evil for evil…” Other examples include 1 Thess. 5:15 and 1 Peter 3:9. In these verses ἀντὶ means “in return for”. But how can any of these meanings apply to John 1:16? Have we received “grace over-against grace,” or “grace in place of grace,” “grace in return for grace,” or “grace in exchange for grace”? None of these seem logically clear. What does John mean?
The verse could mean that we have received the surpassing grace of the Gospel, beyond the grace inherent in the Law. This meaning would correspond to verse 17. John 1:17 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. There is, indeed, a measure of grace that God gave to Israel and the world in the Old Covenant. Now, in this greater era of redemptive history, more grace came through Jesus! That is true.
Another view of John 1:16b, is that the unique second phrase corresponds to the first half the verse. Particularly, the concept of “fullness.” John writes, John 1:16 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. This same term is used along with “grace” to convey the same reality in verse 14, John 1:14 14 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. The reception of Christ’s fullness at the beginning of verse 16, is reiterated or reinforced by that key phrase, “grace upon grace.” Many commentators view this as John’s way of describing waves of grace being conveyed to the believer from the abundance of Christ’s fullness. Consider the following examples:
“As the days come and go, a new supply takes the place of the grace already bestowed, as wave follows wave upon the shore.” (A. T. Robertson, Grammar of the Greek New Testament, p. 574, cited in D. A. Carson, John, p. 131)
“The limitless supply or reservoir indicated by the words “his fulness” would seem to suggest a limitless outflow – grace upon grace.” (William Hendriksen, John, p. 89)
“God’s grace to His people is continuous and never exhausted. Grace knows no interruption and no limit.” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, 110-111)
“That abundant supply will never be exhausted or diminished; grace will continually follow grace in a limitless, never-ending flow.” (John MacArthur, John 1-11, p. 44)
Grace in this sense, is amazing! We should remember this when we worship each Sunday! We should bear this in mind when the world around us seems full of darkness. We should emphasize grace in our family interactions. We should remember this when we fall into sin. We should bear grace in mind when others sin against us! Grace enables us to move forward with life, carrying all of our shortcomings and weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). God’s grace is why Paul opens each epistle – to thriving churches and struggling churches alike – with “Grace to you and peace…” By grace we’re endowed with spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:7, Rom. 12:6). Grace enables our ministry efforts (Acts 14:26, 1 Cor. 3:10, 15:10). Grace propels our sanctification (Acts 13:43, Gal. 2:19-21, 5:3-4, Phil. 1:6, 2 Tim. 2:1). This is the grace, “in which we stand” as believers! (Rom. 5:2). Therefore, let us be gracious towards one another! And, let us always realize that this is how God now relates to us. No longer with hostility (Col. 1:21), but with super-abounding grace…wave upon wave!
I hope you’re encouraged. God’s grace comes to us through the fullness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John 1:16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Thanks! See you Sunday,
Pastor Dave
