Defining ‘Truth’

Today, let us define ‘Truth’ in John 1:17^b (“grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”)

The Reality as opposed to a shadow

The law is mere a shadow of the reality, but truth is the reality (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1) [2].

What reveals and assures what grace does

Grace always forgives and gives, and truth reveals and assures both the forgiveness and the gifts [3].

Divine Thought

Grace is Divine love and truth is Divine thought [4].

The Revelation of God

John 1:14 said, “…who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”. So, the Son was full of grace and truth as He came from the Father. In the light of v14, we can render v17^b as follows.

“God showed his love and revealed the truth about himself through Jesus Christ.” [5] ‘This focus upon truth as the revelation of God’ fits well with the following verse (John 1:18) [5].

Truth as opposed to Gnostic and all other heresy

It is truth as opposed to Gnostic and all other heresy [6].

Finally, let us learn about 'faithfulness'.

Faithfulness describes God’s attribute of truth [7]

God’s ultimate expression of love and his absolute faithfulness to his covenant are both seen in Jesus Christ [6].

God is abounding in love and faithfulness. See Exodus 34:6.

⁶ And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Proverbs 3:1^a says,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;”

References

[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition). London: Hodder & Stoughton.

[2] Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (p. 77). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

[3] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The interpretation of St. John’s gospel (p. 93). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[4] Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 22). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

[5] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (p. 26). New York: United Bible Societies.

[6] Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 1:17). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

[7] https://www.shema.com/gods-attributes-gods-faithfulness-and-truth-3033/