John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights the Word's absolute pre-existence, emphasizing that "was" denotes eternal existence, not a beginning. This pre-existence is not just before creation, but also in intimate fellowship ("with God"), underscoring the Word's divine nature and unity with God.
John begins his Gospel by reaching back before creation itself, directly referencing the opening of Genesis. He immediately introduces a central figure, "the Word," declaring that this Word existed in eternity, was in intimate fellowship with God, and was divine in nature. This foundational statement sets the stage for the entire Gospel, presenting Jesus Christ not just as a prophet or teacher, but as the eternal, divine revealer of God who would later become flesh.
John opens his Gospel with a stunning declaration about the 'Word.' But what does 'In the beginning' truly mean here? It's far more profound than just the start of time.
John 1:1 begins with "In the beginning was the Word." This phrase directly echoes Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created..." However, John uses "In the beginning" to point not to the start of creation, but to a state before creation even existed.
Beyond Temporal Beginnings
The verse doesn't just say the Word existed; it tells us about the Word's relationship with God and God's very nature. What does 'with God' and 'was God' reveal?
John 1:1 unfolds a profound truth about the Word in two crucial statements: "the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Distinct Yet Divine
Understand the original words
archē · Greek Noun
Refers to the primordial origin of creation. In this context, it points to a time before creation, emphasizing the pre-existence of the Word.
logos · Greek Noun
A divine title for the Son of God, representing the communication, revelation, and creative expression of God to humanity. It identifies Jesus as the embodiment of God's self-revelation.
theos · Greek Noun
The Supreme Being and Creator of the universe. In this context, it affirms the distinct personhood of the Word in relation to the Father, while also asserting his divine nature.
This verse directly echoes the opening phrase of Genesis, 'In the beginning,' immediately linking the eternal Word to the act of creation and establishing the Word's existence before all created things.
Proverbs 8:22-31This passage personifies Wisdom as being present with God before creation, echoing John's assertion that the Word was with God from eternity, highlighting a shared concept of divine pre-existence and involvement in creation.
John 1:14This verse is a direct consequence and fulfillment of John 1:1, explicitly stating that the eternal Word 'became flesh,' bridging the divine and human realms in a way that John 1:1 lays the foundation for.
Colossians 1:15-17Paul describes Jesus as the 'image of the invisible God,' 'firstborn of all creation,' and the one through whom all things were created, paralleling John's description of the Word as being 'with God' and 'God' and the agent of creation.
1 John 1:1John's first epistle opens with a concept strikingly similar to this verse, speaking of 'that which was from the beginning,' 'the Word of life,' and 'was with the Father,' reinforcing the eternal, pre-existent nature of Christ.
vincentJohn 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
In the beginning was (ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν)With evident allusion to the first word of Genesis. But John elevates the phrase from its reference to a point of time, the beginning of creation, to the time of absolute pre-existence before any creation, which is not mentioned until John 1:3. This beginning had no beginning (compare John 1:3; John 17:5; 1 John 1:1; Ephesians 1:4; Proverbs 8:23; Psalm 90:2). This h…
expositorsJohn 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Chapter 1THE INCARNATION. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that hath been made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name…
The verse highlights the Word's absolute pre-existence, emphasizing that "was" denotes eternal existence, not a beginning. This pre-existence is not just before creation, but also in intimate fellowship ("with God"), underscoring the Word's divine nature and unity with God.
John begins his Gospel by reaching back before creation itself, directly referencing the opening of Genesis. He immediately introduces a central figure, "the Word," declaring that this Word existed in eternity, was in intimate fellowship with God, and was divine in nature. This foundational statement sets the stage for the entire Gospel, presenting Jesus Christ not just as a prophet or teacher, but as the eternal, divine revealer of God who would later become flesh.
John begins his Gospel by reaching back before creation itself, directly referencing the opening of Genesis. He immediately introduces a central figure, "the Word," declaring that this Word existed in eternity, was in intimate fellowship with God, and was divine in nature. This foundational statement sets the stage for the entire Gospel, presenting Jesus Christ not just as a prophet or teacher, but as the eternal, divine revealer of God who would later become flesh.
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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." — The verse highlights the Word's absolute pre-existence, emphasizing that "was" denotes eternal existence, not a beginning. This pre-existence is not just before creation, but also in intimate fello…
