New International Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. New Living Translation In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. English Standard Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Berean Standard Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Berean Literal Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. King James Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. New King James Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. New American Standard Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NASB 1995 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NASB 1977 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Legacy Standard Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Amplified Bible In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. Berean Annotated Bible In the beginning was the Word {Logos}, and the Word was with God {Theon}, and the Word was God {Theos}. Christian Standard Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Holman Christian Standard Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. American Standard Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Contemporary English Version In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. English Revised Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. GOD'S WORD® Translation In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. Good News Translation In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. International Standard Version In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. NET Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. New Heart English Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Webster's Bible Translation In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Weymouth New Testament In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. World English Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; Berean Literal Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Young's Literal Translation In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; Smith's Literal Translation In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Catholic Public Domain Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. New American Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. New Revised Standard Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTHE Word was in the beginning, and that very Word was with God, and God was that Word. Aramaic Bible in Plain English In the origin The Word had been existing and That Word had been existing with God and That Word was himself God. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIN the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD, was with God, and the WORD was God. Godbey New Testament In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Haweis New Testament IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Mace New Testament In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God. Weymouth New Testament In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Worrell New Testament In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Beginning1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.… Cross References In the beginning Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Hebrews 1:10 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. was the Word, Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. 2 Peter 3:5 But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. and the Word was with God, John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. 1 John 1:2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. Proverbs 8:30 Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence. and the Word was God. Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Colossians 1:16-17 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Hebrews 1:2-3 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. Treasury of Scripture In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. the beginning. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Proverbs 8:22-31 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old… Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: the Word. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:1,2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; … 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. with. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. the Word was. John 10:30-33 I and my Father are one… John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Jump to Previous Beginning First Relation WordJump to Next Beginning First Relation WordJohn 1 1. The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.15. The testimony of John. 39. The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael In the beginning John reaches behind the creation of heaven and earth to the eternal existence of the Son. Before anything was made, the Word already was. The opening recalls Genesis 1:1 and identifies the Word as present before all created things, sharing the eternity that belongs to God alone. Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. was the Word, The Word (Logos in Greek, meaning reason or the principle of order in the universe) is the eternal Son, later revealed as Jesus Christ in John 1:14. God created through Him, revealed His will through Him, and brings salvation through Him. He is not part of creation but the One through whom creation came into being. Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made… and the Word was with God, The Word existed in personal communion with God the Father from eternity. The Son is distinct from the Father, not merely another name or appearance of the Father, yet their fellowship is perfect and unbroken. The Father’s love for the Son precedes the foundation of the world. Jhn 17:5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence… and the Word was God. The Word possesses the full nature and glory of God. Jesus Christ is neither a created messenger nor a lesser divine being; He is truly God and truly distinct from the Father. His incarnation did not begin His existence but revealed in human flesh the eternal Son through whom God is known. Heb 1:8 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The Word (Logos)Refers to Jesus Christ, the pre-existent divine expression of God. The term "Logos" in Greek philosophy and Jewish thought signifies reason, order, and the divine principle of creation. 2. God The eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient Creator. In this verse, God is both distinct from and unified with the Word, emphasizing the mystery of the Trinity. 3. The Beginning This phrase echoes Genesis 1:1, indicating the eternal nature of the Word and the foundational role of Christ in creation. Teaching Points The Pre-existence of ChristJesus is not a created being; He existed before time began. This truth affirms His divinity and eternal nature. The Trinity The verse introduces the complex relationship within the Godhead, where the Word is both with God and is God, laying the groundwork for understanding the Trinity. The Authority of Scripture As the Word, Jesus embodies the ultimate revelation of God. Believers are called to trust in the authority and truth of Scripture, which reveals Christ. The Centrality of Christ in Creation Recognizing Christ's role in creation encourages believers to see Him as central to all aspects of life and the universe. The Personal Nature of God The Word becoming flesh (John 1:14) shows God's desire for a personal relationship with humanity, inviting believers to respond in faith and obedience. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 1:1?2. How does John 1:1 affirm the divinity of Jesus in your life? 3. What does "the Word was God" reveal about Jesus' eternal nature? 4. How does Genesis 1:1 connect with John 1:1 in understanding creation? 5. How can you apply "the Word was with God" in daily prayer? 6. How does John 1:1 shape your understanding of the Trinity? 7. What does "In the beginning was the Word" imply about Jesus' existence before creation? 8. How does John 1:1 support the doctrine of the Trinity? 9. Why is "the Word was God" significant for understanding Jesus' divine nature? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 1? What Does John 1:1 Mean In the beginning“In the beginning” (John 1:1) reaches back before Genesis 1:1, declaring that the Word already existed. • Eternal reality: Before anything was created, the Word was present (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2). • Outside time: Creation has a starting point; the Word does not (Colossians 1:17; Revelation 22:13). • Foundation of revelation: Just as creation begins with God, redemption begins with the Word who predates everything (Hebrews 1:10). The phrase secures our confidence that Jesus did not become divine—He always was. was the Word “was the Word” identifies a specific Person. • Personal, not abstract: The Word is later said to become flesh (John 1:14), showing He is Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:13). • Communicating God: Through the Word, God speaks and makes Himself known (Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 John 1:1-2). • Creative Agent: All things were made through Him (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Because He is the Word, every promise and command of God is embodied in Christ. and the Word was with God “was with God” portrays intimate fellowship. • Distinction within Deity: The Word is not the Father, yet shares His presence (John 17:5). • Face-to-face relationship: Perfect communion exists eternally (Proverbs 8:30; 1 John 1:2). • Basis for the Trinity: One God, yet more than one Person (John 16:28). This clarifies that Jesus is neither a created being nor an impersonal force; He is a distinct divine Person abiding eternally with the Father. and the Word was God Here the sentence reaches its apex: the Word shares the very nature of God. • Full deity affirmed: Jesus is “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). • Worship warranted: Thomas’s confession “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) is appropriate and true. • Salvation secured: Only God can redeem; because the Word is God, His atoning work is sufficient (Romans 9:5). Every attribute of God—holiness, power, love, eternity—is fully possessed by the Word. summary John 1:1 presents a single, seamless truth: before time began, the eternal Word existed; He is Jesus Christ. He is personally distinct, eternally in fellowship with the Father, and fully God Himself. These four brief phrases ground our understanding of creation, revelation, redemption, and worship, calling us to trust and adore the Lord Jesus, the eternal Word who is God. (1) In the beginning.—The reference to the opening words of the Old Testament is obvious, and is the more striking when we remember that a Jew would constantly speak of and quote from the book of Genesis as Berēshîth (“in the beginning”). It is quite in harmony with the Hebrew tone of this Gospel to do so, and it can hardly be that St. John wrote his Berēshîth without having that of Moses present to his mind, and without being guided by its meaning. We have then, in the earlier words, a law of interpretation for the later, and this law excludes every such sense as “the Everlasting Father” or “the divine wisdom,” which is before all things, though both these have been supported by here and there a name of weight; much more does this law, strengthened as it is by the whole context, exclude any such sense as “the commencement of Christ’s work on earth,” which owes its existence to the foregone conclusion of a theory, and is marked by the absence of any support of weight. Our law seems equally to exclude from these words the idea of “anteriority to time,” which is expressed, not in them, but in the substantive verb which immediately follows. The Mosaic conception of “beginning” is marked by the first creative act. St. John places himself at the same starting point of time, but before he speaks of any creation he asserts the pre-existence of the Creator. In this “beginning” there already “was” the Word. (See expressions of this thought in John 17:5; Proverbs 8:23; 1John 1:1; Revelation 3:14.)Was the Word.—See Excursus A: Doctrine of the Word. With God.—These words express the co-existence, but at the same time the distinction of person. They imply relation with, intercourse with. (Comp. the “in the bosom of the Father” of John 1:18... Greek InἘν (En) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] beginning ἀρχῇ (archē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief. was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Word, Λόγος (Logos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Word Λόγος (Logos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. with πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. God, Θεόν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Word Λόγος (Logos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. God. Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Additonal Resources John 1:1 Blue Letter BibleJohn 1:1 Bible Gateway John 1:1 Bible.com John 1:1 NIV |
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