Genesis 1:3

Commentary on Genesis 1:3 (NKJV)

Textual Exposition

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3, NKJV)

The verse begins with the divine fiat—God’s sovereign utterance—as the primary agent in creation. The verb “said” (Hebrew amar) establishes that creation proceeds by God’s will communicated through speech. The clause “let there be” (Hebrew yĕhi) functions as an imperative that instantly brings light into existence out of primordial darkness. This structure emphasises both the immediacy and authority of God’s word over creation.

Theological Insights

1. Sovereignty of Divine Speech
   Christian theology has always stressed creatio ex nihilo—creation out of nothing. Here, God requires no pre-existing materials or intermediary causes. His word alone summons reality into being, underscoring His absolute sovereignty and the foundational principle that Scripture is both authoritative and effectual in all it declares.
2. Light as Divine Revelation
   Beyond its physical dimension, light in Scripture symbolises truth, holiness and the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. In the “new creation” of the soul, the first work of the Spirit is to enlighten the understanding, turning fallen darkness into divine light. This motif anticipates New Testament revelation where Christ is identified as “the true Light” (John 1:9).
3. Christological Foreshadowing
   Hebrews 1:3 calls Christ “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” The creative Word in Genesis points forward to the eternal Word (Logos) through whom all things were made (John 1:1–3). Christian writers highlight this unity between creation and redemption: that the same divine Logos who uttered light also speaks salvation to the human heart.

Application to Modern Christian Living

• The Power of Words
  If God’s speech can transform chaos into light, our words, too, carry creative power. We are called to speak life, encouragement and truth into dark situations—both in personal relationships and broader community contexts.
• Seeking Spiritual Illumination
  Just as physical light dispels darkness, believers must rely on the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s Word and navigate moral complexity. Regular Scripture reading and prayer foster that inner “light” which guides our steps.
• Order from Chaos
  Genesis 1:3 initiates the ordering of a formless void. Christians today can trust God to bring structure and purpose to the broken “chaos” of modern life—through pastoral care, sound teaching and practical acts of mercy.
• Christ-Centred Hope
  Recognising Jesus as the Logos who spoke light into being reminds us that the same life-giving Word speaks hope into our circumstances. As we grow in faith, we embody and proclaim the light of the Gospel in a world still shrouded by darkness.

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