Breakdown of John 1:1-3

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." — The word "was" (ēn) used for the Word's existence in the beginning is crucial; it signifies not a coming into being, but an eternal, ongoing existence that predates creation itself, unlike creation w…

John 1:1-3 Meaning Explained

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John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The word "was" (ēn) used for the Word's existence in the beginning is crucial; it signifies not a coming into being, but an eternal, ongoing existence that predates creation itself, unlike creation which "came into being" (egeneto). This subtle but profound distinction highlights the Word's timeless, uncreated nature, setting Him apart from everything that followed.

What John 1:1-3 means

John begins his Gospel by echoing Genesis 1:1, immediately asserting the eternal pre-existence of the "Word." This isn't just a temporal starting point, but a declaration that the Word existed before creation, was intimately connected with God, and was, in fact, divine. The subsequent verses will unpack who this Word is and His role in creation and revelation.

Eternal Existence Before Creation

Before the universe spun into existence, before time itself had a name, someone or something was already there. Who—or what—is this eternal presence?

The verse opens with "In the beginning," echoing Genesis 1:1, but John immediately shifts the focus from the start of creation to an eternal pre-existence.

Beyond the Clock

The Greek word for 'was' (ēn) here signifies continuous, absolute existence, not a beginning or coming into being. This is in stark contrast to the 'came into being' (egeneto) used later for creation and the Word becoming flesh.

A Timeless Reality

John isn't just talking about something that existed at the beginning of time, but something that existed before time itself was measured. This points to a reality that transcends our temporal understanding, existing in eternity prior to any created thing.

The Unique Relationship: With God

The verse states the Word wasn't just present in the beginning, but was 'with God.' What does this intimate connection reveal about the Word's identity?

The phrase 'with God' (pros ton Theon) is crucial. It doesn't just mean being near or beside God, but suggests a profound, active communion and fellowship.

More Than Just Proximity

This preposition 'pros' implies not just static presence, but a dynamic relationship, like sharing intimate conversation or relationship. It speaks of mutual indwelling and active intercourse.

Distinction and Unity

This 'with God' signifies a distinct personhood. The Word is not God in an undifferentiated sense, but a distinct entity in relation to God. Yet, this distinction does not imply separation or subordination, but an essential unity of being.

Understand the original words

Original language

beginningἀρχή

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.

Wordλόγος

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.

Godθεός

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.

madeἐγένετο

egeneto · Greek Verb

The act of bringing the universe and all that is within it into existence. This highlights the mediating role of the Word in the creative process.

Historical context

Written: Late 1st Century AD (circa 90-100 AD).
Author: Traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, though scholarly debate exists regarding the exact authorship and its relation to the other Johannine writings.
Location: Written from Ephesus, likely for a gentile audience.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with theological discourse), featuring a prologue that uses elevated, poetic language and theological concepts like the "Logos."

Key themes

01Eternal Pre-existence of the Word
02Divine Unity and Distinction
03The Word as Creator

Cross-references

Genesis 1:1

John directly alludes to the creation account in Genesis 1:1, using 'In the beginning' to establish that the Word existed before all creation, highlighting His eternal nature.

Proverbs 8:22-31

This passage personifies Wisdom as being with God from the beginning of His ways and involved in creation, paralleling the description of the Word in John 1:1 and pointing to Christ's pre-existence and role in creation.

Colossians 1:15-17

Paul describes Jesus as the 'image of the invisible God' and the one through whom all things were created, echoing John's assertion of the Word's divine nature and creative role.

Hebrews 1:1-3

This passage identifies Jesus as the Son through whom God made the universe and who is the 'radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being,' reinforcing the divine identity and role of the Word.

1 John 1:1

John's first epistle opens by testifying to 'the Word of life' who was with the Father and manifested to them, reinforcing the eternal existence and divine nature of the Word presented in his Gospel.

Scholarly commentary

John 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…
vincent

John 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…
expositors

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What John 1:1-3 means

Original language

beginningἀρχή

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.

Wordλόγος

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.

Godθεός

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.

madeἐγένετο

egeneto · Greek Verb

The act of bringing the universe and all that is within it into existence. This highlights the mediating role of the Word in the creative process.

Historical context

Written: Late 1st Century AD (circa 90-100 AD).
Author: Traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, though scholarly debate exists regarding the exact authorship and its relation to the other Johannine writings.
Location: Written from Ephesus, likely for a gentile audience.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with theological discourse), featuring a prologue that uses elevated, poetic language and theological concepts like the "Logos."

Scholarly commentary

John 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…
vincent

John 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…
expositors

Frequently asked questions

What does John 1:1-3 mean?

Explain the meaning of John 1:1-3

What is the context of John 1:1-3?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "beginning" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, though scholarly debate exists regarding the exact authorship and its relation to the other Johannine writings. write John 1:1-3?”
“How does eternal pre-existence of the word show up in John 1:1-3?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about John 1:1-3 is available in the Sola app.

What John 1:1-3 means

Eternal Existence Before Creation

The Unique Relationship: With God

Original language

Historical context

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

What John 1:1-3 means

Eternal Existence Before Creation

The Unique Relationship: With God

Original language

Historical context

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

The Divine Identity: The Word Was God