Christian Cyclopedia

(Gk. “word”). Jn 1:1, 14 the term designates the 2d Person of the Trinity* (see also Christ Jesus). When one speaks a word, it comes from within and reveals his thoughts. The 2d Person of the Trin. is called Word because He is the Son of God, begotten of the Father from eternity; He reveals thoughts of God about us, e.g., His love and gracious plan of salvation. John's use of the term rests on divine inspiration, the teaching of Christ, and the OT Pr 8:22–30 wisdom (term parallel to “Word”) is personified and said to have been before the earth came into existence. Logos connotes thought, understanding, principle. The assumption that John borrowed the term from Philo* Judaeus or Stoicism* is gratuitous. See also Angel of the Lord; Apollinaris of Laodicea; Arianism, 1.