What does it mean that the Word was with God in the beginning? (2023)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." –João 1:1

The Gospel of John begins with the same three words that the book of Genesis begins with. At the beginning. There's so much theology in this verse, so let's jump right in and start unpacking.

What does "In the beginning was the Word" mean inJoão 1:1?

This verse is very clear and makes a simple comparison. The word we're about to define was there in the beginning. This word was with God or equal with God. That Word was God. What John states is the fact that the Word was present from the beginning. This is an equivalency statement consistent withGenesis 1.Genesis 1:1God says in the beginning.João 1:1says that in the beginning was the Word. With this comparison, John is simply saying that the Word that was in the beginning was God. That means the Word was in the beginning.

who is the word

At this point we only know that the Word was there in the beginning and that the Word was God. This leads to an important question. who is the word If you search further in the same chapter, you will get the answer.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”—João 1:14

We know that the Word made flesh is Jesus Christ. He is God taken on human flesh or human form. He did this to reveal the Father, which John mentions just a few verses later.

“No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son, who is God and in intimacy with the Father, made him known.”—João 1:18

3 important reasons why the word existed in the beginning

It is of great importance that the word is present at the beginning. There are some very important characteristics that relate to who Jesus Christ really is. Let's point out three of them.

1. Christ as Creator

Since the Word was in the beginning, this establishes Jesus as Creator. In the next two verses John goes on to say this.

“He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing is made that is made.” –João 1:2-3

Not only was Jesus present at creation, but he was also responsible for creation. This also points to the triune nature of God that we see in the opening pages of Scripture. Let me bring you back to Genesis for a moment.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was waste and empty, darkness covered the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hung over the waters.”—Genesis 1:1-2

when togetherGenesis 1jJoão 1See who was present when it was created. God the Father was present. God the Son, Jesus, was present. God was there tooHoly Spirit. All of this is set out in the first two verses of Scripture. God reveals who he is from the beginning. What does John say inJoão 1confirms the existence and happening inGenesis 1. Jesus is responsible for creation. Later Paul confirms this again in Colossians.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things visible and invisible, in heaven and on earth, whether thrones or powers or principalities or powers; was created by him and for him".Colossians 1:15-16

Many people have difficulty understanding this triune nature of God, and because they do not understand it they choose to reject it. However, when you return to the scriptures, this truth becomes evident and was there from the beginning.

2. Christ as Eternal

The second thing we learn from the presence of the Word at the beginning is the eternal nature of Jesus. Jesus did not begin when He was born of the Virgin Mary. Before that it existed forever. How else could he be called the Creator if he didn't exist before the creation of the world? HeA Biblefurther points to the eternal nature of Jesus. An example is found in the book of Revelation. I want you to pay attention to the statement made at the beginning and end of the book.

"I am Alpha and Omega", says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." –Revelation 1:8

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone what he has done. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." –Revelation 22:12-13

These two verses are not just statements of equivalence, but point to the eternal nature of Jesus. It was there in eternity past and will be there in eternity future. Therefore pureJoão 8:58, Jesus can refer to himself as "I am". Before the world was created, it was I Am. After the world was created, it was I Am. Right now he is I Am. For all eternity he will be I Am. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. It was and always will be because it is eternal in nature.

3. Christ as God: the same but different

The last thing Juan lies down inJoão 1:1The Word was in the beginning, and the Word was God. This clearly points to the divine nature of Jesus. This too reveals the triune nature of God. This becomes all the more clear because inJoão 1:1He says the Word was with God in the beginning. The Word was God, meaning equal, and at the same time the Word was with God, meaning different. In case you haven't figured it out yet, that's why it's sometimes called the Mystery of the Godhead. God reveals himself in three different persons, but there is only one God. It's a mystery, but it's a truth revealed in Scripture. Christ is the Word who is God made flesh and in whom dwells all the fullness of God, as Paul testifies.

"For in him all the fullness of the Deity (the Deity) dwells bodily [which fully expresses the divine nature of God]." –Colossians 2:9(AMPERE)

I admit that it is difficult for many to understand, but this is how God reveals himself in Scripture. I don't know if we'll find out all of this in our limited capacity on this side of eternity, but be careful not to make the mistake of thinking it doesn't have to be true since you can't figure it out. Not being able to understand a truth does not negate that truth.

Why does John name Jesus the Word?

As you can seeJoão 1:1It's a short verse that packs a lot of punch. It means a lot that the Word was in the beginning. Jesus is God, equal but different. He is the Creator who willingly took human flesh to become like those He created to redeem the lost. He is the one who came from eternity to time to rescue those trapped by time and destined to be separated from him for all eternity. He is the Word that was there in the beginning. He is the Word that is God that will be there when the end comes. I leave you that part of the Scriptures from Hebrews.

But of the son he says:

“Your throne, O God, will stand forever and ever; Scepter of righteousness shall be the scepter of his kingdom. You loved justice and hated evil; therefore God, your God, set you above your fellow men, anointing you with the oil of joy.'

He also says

“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish but you will remain; They all grow old like a dress. You will cover them like a cloak; they are changed like a dress. But you're still the same and your years will never end.'” –Hebrews 1:8-12

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Clarence L. Haynes Jr.She is a public speaker, Bible teacher and co-founder ofBible Study Club. He is the author oflooking for target hair this will help you understand how God leads you to do His will. He also just published his new book. The Pursuit of Victory: How to Overcome Your Greatest Challenges and Be Successful in Your Christian Life. Do you want to deepen your walk with the Lord, but can't seem to get past the things that stand in your way? This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so that you can lead a victorious Christian life and eventually become the man or woman of God that you really want to be. To learn more about his ministry, visitclarencehaynes.com.

This article is part of our largest library of popular Bible verse quotes and citation resources. We aim to provide easy-to-read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses in the context of Scripture. We hope this helps you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word as it relates to your life today.

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