Neville Goddard on John 1:14

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard's interpretation of John 1:14 centers on a crucial correction to its common translation. He asserts that the original Greek states the Word of God became flesh and dwelt within us, not among us. This Word is not an external historical figure but is God's own creative power and wisdom, which he identifies as the human imagination. This divine power, also called the Lord Jesus Christ, was implanted in all of humanity, not just one person, for the ultimate purpose that man may become God.

Key Concepts

• The phrase “dwelt among us” in John 1:14 is a mistranslation; the Greek preposition means “in” or “within.”
• The “Word of God” is defined as the creative power and wisdom of God, and it is equated with God Himself.
• This indwelling Word, also called the Lord Jesus Christ, is your own wonderful human imagination.
• The Word became flesh not in a single person for the benefit of one, but was implanted within all of humanity to save all.
• This implantation is described as God detaching His Son (the Word) from His own being and engrafting it onto humanity.

Detailed Explanation

A central point in Neville Goddard's teaching on John 1:14 is a correction of its translation. He argues that the common rendering, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” is incorrect. The Greek preposition used, he explains, is properly translated as “in” or “within.” Therefore, the scripture's true meaning is that the Word became flesh and now dwells within every human being. This shifts the entire context from an external, historical event to a present and internal reality for all.

The “Word” itself is defined as the very creative power and wisdom of God. It is not merely a spoken utterance but is equated with God Himself. As the Gospel of John states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This same Word, which is God, is what became flesh and took up residence inside of man.

Neville explicitly identifies this indwelling Word of God. He states that the Word spoken of in scripture as the Lord Jesus Christ is, in fact, a person's own wonderful human imagination. The creative power that brought the world into being now resides in every individual as their capacity to imagine. This is not a metaphor; the faculty of imagination is the divine, creative Word within.

The purpose of this divine act was universal. The Word did not take upon itself a single person, which would have only advanced that one individual. Instead, Christ, the Word of God, was implanted in all of humanity. God detaches this Word from His own being and engrafts it into every person, described as receiving the “implanted Word.” This was done so that all may be saved and ultimately become as God is.

Important Quotes

We turn to the book of John – the Gospel of John, and we are told that, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” (John 1:14). Well, that’s a mistranslation. The word translated “among” is the Greek preposition “in,” “within.” “The Word became flesh and dwelt within us” – “in us.”

— Live In The End

“The Word became flesh and dwelt within us.” (John 1:14) He detaches it. God tears out of His own Being His Son, that they all may become as He is, and he actually engrafts them, as we are told in the book of James. “Receive with meekness the implanted Word.”

— The Promise Fulfilled

Well, I tell you, this Word that dwells in you, spoken of in Scripture as the Lord Jesus Christ, is your own wonderful human imagination.

— Imagination Plus Faith

Related Concepts

• Imagination: This is the central related concept. Neville directly equates the indwelling Word of God from John 1:14 with the human imagination, identifying it as the creative power of God in man.
• The Promise: The source material connects the indwelling Word to the fulfillment of God's promises. The Word is described as the implanted spore that is engrafted into humanity, which is part of the great Promise of scripture.

Common Misunderstandings

• The Word dwelt 'among' us: Neville corrects this as a mistranslation. The scripture's true meaning is that the Word dwells within us, making it an internal, personal power rather than an external, historical figure.
• The Word became flesh in only one man: Neville teaches that this event was not for the advancement of a single person. The Word was implanted in all of humanity, as signified by the plural “us,” so that all could be saved.

Practical Applications

The practical application of this teaching is to recognize that the creative power of God is not external to you but is your own imagination. Since the scripture states that the world was created by the Word of God, and that Word now dwells in you as your imagination, it follows that you can use your imagination to create your reality. By understanding that your imagination is the Lord Jesus Christ within, you can consciously direct this creative power to shape your life and experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct translation of John 1:14 according to Neville?

Neville states that the phrase “dwelt among us” is a mistranslation of the original Greek. The correct translation is that the Word became flesh and “dwelt within us.”

What is the 'Word of God' that became flesh?

The Word is the creative power and wisdom of God. Neville identifies this indwelling Word, also called the Lord Jesus Christ, as your own wonderful human imagination.

Did the Word become flesh in just one historical person?

No. According to Neville, the Word was not limited to one person but was implanted in all of humanity. This was done to save all, so that every person may eventually become God.