13
The Grreek word which we render "comprehended," is the same that is used in Ephes. iii, 18. In Acts iv. 14, it is trans- lated "perceived," — in Rom. ix. 30, " attained," — in Phihpp. iii. 13, "apprehend," — in John viii. 3, "taken," — and in 1 Thess. v. 4, " overtake."
At this point, the remark of Bengel upon the whole passage deserves attention. " In the first and second verses of this chapter, mention is made of a state before the creation of the world ; in the third verse, the world's creation ; in the fourth, the time of man's uprightness ; in the fifth, the time of man's decUne and fall."
I cannot close these notes on the opening verses of St. John's Gospel without expressing my deep sense of the utter inability of any human commentator to enter fully into the vast and sublime truths which the passage contains. I have laboured to throw a little light on the passage, and have not hesitated to ex- ceed the average length of these notes on account of the immense importance of this part of Scripture. But after saying all that I have said, I feel as if I had only faintly touched the surface of the passage. There is something here which nothing but the light of eternity will ever fully reveal.