ζωὴ (zoe) in John 1:4: Noun Nominative Singular Feminine

Noun: the form names a reality or concept, here the reality of life rather than an action or modifier.

Nominative: the form usually marks a subject or a predicate role, and here it fits the clause about what existed in him.

Singular: the form is grammatically singular in this occurrence, presenting life as a unified reality in view.

Feminine: the noun belongs to the feminine grammatical class, which is a language feature and not a theological claim about gender.

ἐν αὐτῷ

The nominative form stands with the verb ἦν and the surrounding clause to identify what was present in him. It should be read with the sentence, not in isolation.

It functions as the clause subject in ἐν αὐτῷ ζωὴ ἦν, stating that life was in him before the second clause develops the significance of that life.

It does not by itself mean a different lemma, and it does not require a special theological definition beyond what the context supports.

High: The nominative noun names life as the clause subject before the verse relates that life to light for humanity.

Clause subject. names what was present in him before the second clause develops its significance. Attached to the phrase in him. Governed by the clause stating that life was in him. The subject role is important, but the sentence and prologue supply the theological depth.

What is said to be in him? Life is the clause subject, and the verse then describes that life as light for humanity.

Direct: The nominative subject relation directly supports the English subject life in the clause.

The noun's subject role should not be made to carry every theological nuance of life apart from John's context.

Nominative subject alone defines all theology of life: The grammar identifies the subject, but John 1 supplies the meaning through the surrounding context. feminine gender creates a gendered claim: The feminine form is grammatical and should not be turned into a gendered theological statement.

The witness reads ζωὴ in John 1:4 in the clause ἐν αὐτῷ ζωὴ ἦν, and the form is stable within the verse context provided.

The lemma ζωή means life, and the form here keeps that basic identity while the context points toward life as a significant reality, not merely biological existence.

As a nominative with ἦν, the form marks life as what is affirmed in relation to him. The grammar supports the statement, but the surrounding clauses give its meaning and direction.

The verse says that life was in him, and that life was the light of human beings. The grammar helps state the claim, while the context explains its theological and communicative force.

This fits the broader Johannine pattern in which life is bound to Christ and disclosed as divine gift and revelation within the covenant purposes of God.

For teaching and translation, the form should be conveyed simply as life, with attention to the clause flow so readers see both presence in him and the life-giving light that follows.

Do not derive gender theology from feminine grammar, and do not make the nominative case carry more meaning than the sentence itself allows.