Some people say
Light in the Bible is just a symbol for happiness.
What Scripture actually says
Scripture ties light to God's presence, God's word, and God's salvation. is not describing a mood. It is describing the arrival of God with his people.
Word Study
Light
In Scripture, light is not a metaphor. It is what God is, what God speaks, and what God gives when he draws near.
Scripture first
Let the Bible speak before we do
WEB
3God said, Let there be light, and there was light.
WEB
4In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
WEB
23The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Original language
The word behind the word
Hebrewאוֹרor(OHR)
Literal meaning: light, illumination, dawn
The very first thing God speaks into being. Throughout the Old Testament, or is closely tied to God's presence, his word, and his salvation.
Greekφῶςphos(FOHS)
Literal meaning: light
John uses phos to name Jesus himself. Not a light among others. The light. Life-giving, revealing, uncontainable by darkness.
Biblical meaning
How Scripture itself uses this word
Scripture uses light in three connected ways. First, light is what God speaks: Genesis 1:3 sets the pattern. Second, light is what God is: 1 John 1:5 says God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. Third, light is what God gives to his people, so that they might walk in it and reflect it (Isaiah 60:1-3, Matthew 5:14-16). In every case, the light does not originate with us. We receive it because he draws near.
Follow this word
Through the whole Bible
Each passage is clickable. Read slowly, one at a time.
- 01
God speaks light before he creates the sun.
- 02
God leads Israel through the wilderness as a pillar of fire by night.
- 03
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
- 04
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- 05
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
- 06
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
- 07
You are the light of the world.
- 08
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
- 09
I am the light of the world.
- 10
The God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts.
- 11
God is light. If we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another.
- 12
The Lamb is its lamp.
Who uses this word
The voices Scripture gives it
Records the first spoken light and later leads by pillar of fire.
- David
Names God as his light and his salvation.
- Isaiah
Sees a light rising over people who walked in darkness.
- John (Gospel)
Opens his Gospel by naming Jesus as the true light.
- Paul
Says the God who first spoke light has shone in our hearts.
- John (Revelation)
Closes Scripture with a city needing no sun because the Lamb is its lamp.
Related biblical concepts
Where this word leads
Common misunderstandings
What Scripture does not say
Some people say
You produce your own light by trying harder.
What Scripture actually says
calls believers the light of the world, but only because they reflect the one who first spoke light into being. Paul is explicit: God shines the light into our hearts ().
Christ at the center
Where Scripture itself points to Jesus
Jesus does not merely bring light. He claims to be it. When he says, I am the light of the world, he is speaking the words of Genesis 1 in his own voice. The one who first said, Let there be light, has come to stand among us.
Living the word
Carry this into the week
Where there is darkness in your life right now, do not try to generate the light yourself. Open the Scriptures. Let them speak. Ask the God who first spoke light to speak again into this place.
Reflection
Where do I need God to speak light into an area I have been trying to illuminate on my own?
Personal prayer
Father, you are light and in you is no darkness at all. Shine into the place I have been avoiding, and give me eyes to see what you show me.
Father...
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A gentle invitation to write
Write about one area of your life that feels dark right now. Then read John 1:1-9 slowly and write what you notice about the God who speaks light.
Write about one area of your life that feels dark right now. Then read John 1:1-9 slowly and write what you notice about the God who speaks light.
Optional · saved on this device only
Continue reading the Bible
John 1
Read John 1 in one sitting. Watch how light and life and Word are the same person.
A final word
May this word do its quiet work in you long after this page is closed. Return to the Scripture. Let God speak.