Commentary on the Gospel According to John, Books 1-10

Origen composed at least thirty-two books of a commentary on the
Gospel according to John, at the request of St. Ambrose of Milan. Of
these, only nine books are extant in almost complete form, although we
have selections of others persevered in other collections of the works
of Origen. The commentary proceeds verse by verse, and is particularly
notable for its emphasis on the spiritual meaning of the Gospel.This
volume contains books 1,2,6, and 10, and fragments of books 4 and 5.
Origen's main interest is the allegorical interpretation of the Gospel
according to John, which makes this an important work in the study of
Origen's mystical thought. A secondary interest is the refutation of
Valentinian gnosticism. According to Eusebius, Ambrose had been a
Valentinian before his conversion by Origen, and Origen refers to the
Gnostic writer Heracleon regularly throughout the commentary in order to
refute his views.Although the refutation of Heracleon may have
been a stimulus for the composition of this work, Origen moved beyond
this goal in order to present a commentary on the Gospel which would
appeal to the growing number of educated Christians who wanted a
scientific exegesis. The author's writing covers a wide range of
historical, theological, philosophical and etymological topics, all
focused on this Gospel of "spiritual food." "We might dare to say,"
Origen says as he begins his commentary, "that the Gospels are the
first-fruits of all Scriptures, but that the first-fruits of the Gospels
is that according to John. How great must be our understanding, that we
may be able to understand in a worthy manner the word which is stored
up in the earthen treasures of paltry language." The Spirit-led exegete
can thus draw out of the words and symbols a higher level of insight.
This "spiritual gospel" is the reality of which Christ's acts were
symbols; it is the secrets hidden in the mysteries of Christ's words.