What does John 1:2 reveal about Jesus' divine nature and relationship with God? Setting the Context John 1:2: “He was with God in the beginning.” Key Phrase: “He was with God” • “He” refers back to “the Word” (v. 1), identified as Jesus Christ (v. 14). • “With” (pros in Greek) pictures intimate, face-to-face fellowship—more than mere proximity. • Shows distinction: Jesus is not the Father, yet personally present alongside Him. Key Phrase: “In the beginning” • Mirrors Genesis 1:1, placing Jesus outside of created time. • Indicates eternal existence—before anything came into being (cf. John 17:5; Colossians 1:17). Implications for Jesus’ Divine Nature • Eternal: He never began to exist; He already was (Hebrews 1:10-12). • Self-existent: Shares God’s uncreated life (John 5:26). • Immutable: Anything that precedes creation is untouched by change (Malachi 3:6 applied). • Creator: Because He precedes “all things,” He is the active Agent in creation (John 1:3). Implications for Jesus’ Relationship with God • Co-equal: Eternally alongside the Father, sharing the same glory (John 17:5). • Distinct Person: The verse avoids modalism—Jesus is “with” God, not merely another name for the Father (John 8:17-18). • Perfect Fellowship: The pre-creation relationship overflows into redemption (John 3:35; 5:20). • Foundation for Trinitarian revelation: Father, Son, and later the Spirit (John 14:16-17) co-exist eternally. Takeaways for Today • Jesus is no created being; He is God from all eternity. • The intimacy He shares with the Father is offered to believers (John 14:23). • Worship of Christ honors God, because the Son and the Father are inseparably one (John 5:23). |
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