What does it mean that the Word was in the beginning (John 1:1)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

John 1:1 establishes the divinity of Christ. Several parallels exist between John 1:1 and the Old Testament. The phrase “in the beginning” opens both Genesis and John. That phrase in both accounts reinforces the divinity of Christ by connecting Him to the creation narrative. God’s “word” in the Old Testament is also presented as the means of carrying out His will (Psalms 107:20; 147:15–18). Besides this, God appointed prophets to proclaim His word to His people (Jeremiah 1:4–5). The New Testament affirms Jesus as the ultimate Word who saves the world. It establishes Christ’s role in creation (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1–3). Also, Christ, the Word of God, carries out the Father’s will to save the world (John 3:16). Revelation depicts Christ conquering; He is “called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God” (Revelation 19:11–13). The Bible teaches that our interactions should include sharing the good news of the Word (Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 3:15).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The gospel of John and the book of Genesis start the same way: with the phrase, "in the beginning.” This parallel reinforces that God the Father and God the Son have always existed. All was created through the Son (John 1:3).
• In Exodus 3:14, God introduced Himself to Moses as “I AM.” He has always been and always will be; God is the self-existent One. The verse says, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” “I am” is present tense. The triune God is, always has existed from before creation, and always will exist (cp. Revelation 1:8).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 1:1 affirms the divinity of Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Word is from the Greek word logos. The Logos of God was God the Son, through whom all was created. He has no Beginning. He is eternal.
• In Colossians 1:16, Paul writes of Jesus, “For by him all things were created, 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.” This passage reinforces John 1:1–3, indicating everything was created through Jesus.
• The Word—Jesus—revealed the Father to us. We see this in Hebrews 1:1–3 as well: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." Like John 1, this passage from Hebrews further points to Jesus’ divinity. It also draws a parallel: God’s prophets proclaimed His word in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus is the Word who fulfills the Father’s will.
• Revelation 19:13 depicts the Lord as the Rider on the white horse and refers to Him in the same way John 1:1 does: “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.” Jesus is the Savior of the world.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Jesus is the most pivotal figure in human history. Even unbelievers admit this. Many non-Christians also respect Him—but not as God. As John 1:1 shows, though, Jesus was not merely a wise moral teacher. Jesus is God. Everything was created through Him. He is the Messiah the Old Testament points to. He lowered Himself to take on human form, come to earth, and suffer for the sins of all mankind. And He rose on the third day—something no mere man could do. Knowing who Jesus is and what He did for us should impact how we live. Living a life for Christ includes telling others about who He really is. Christ came to save you and me, but not only us; He came to save our neighbor, our coworker, our sibling—”the world” (John 3:16). Have you told someone about Jesus this week? Have you shown others Jesus in how you conduct yourself? Have you shared the good news? In John's own words, the purpose of this gospel is "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). Our interactions should include sharing the good news of the Word (Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 3:15)

UNDERSTAND

• John 1:1 states that "In the beginning was the Word," indicating that the Word (Jesus) has always existed.
• John 1:1 affirms that "the Word was with God, and the Word was God," establishing Jesus’ divinity and unity with God the Father.
• John 1:3 explains that all things were made through the Word, showing that Jesus is not only eternal and divine but also the active agent in creation.

REFLECT

• How does understanding Jesus as the eternal Word shape your view of His role in your life?
• How can you express the divinity of Christ to others in your daily interactions?
• How does the truth that all things were created through Jesus influence your perspective on the world around you?

ENGAGE

• What are some specific Old Testament passages that further support the claims made in John 1:1, and how do they connect?
• How does the concept of the Word being both with God and being God challenge or reinforce your understanding of the Trinity?
• In what practical ways can we as believers embody the message of the Word in our communities and share the good news?