In the Gospel of John, light and life are used in relation to salvation. Light is revelation that people may receive in faith and be saved; life is either resurrection life or spiritual life that is its foretaste.1 In the context of John 1:1–3 it is easy to consider that life refers to creation. The self-existing life of the Word was so dispensed at creation that it became the light of the human race.2 However, elsewhere in the Gospel it is closely tied to spiritual life through faith.
In summary, the Word is the source of all life—physical and spiritual. He is also the source of supernatural light, the light necessary for people to make moral decision and walk in accordance with God’s revealed will.3
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.