Deep study 02

The Word already was

John 1:1–18

The textual thesis

John’s choice of words shows a clear difference: the Word already existed, creation came into being, and later the Word became flesh.

The first contrast

“Was” and “came into being” are not interchangeable

Start with the English“In the beginning the Word was … all things came into being through Him … the Word became flesh.”

The Greek is included only to show what wording the explanation comes from. Everything is explained in plain English first, so you can follow the point without reading Greek.

See the Greek wording

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος … πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο … ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο

John repeatedly says the Word ‘was’ (ἦν) in John 1:1–2. In other words, when the beginning is in view, the Word already exists. John uses a different verb for what ‘came into being’ (ἐγένετο) through the Word and for what the Word later ‘became’ in verse 14.

This difference comes from John’s own words, not from adding a doctrine to the passage. The Word ‘was’ already there, while creation ‘came into being.’

The Word: was (ἦν).
Creation: came into being (ἐγένετο).
Incarnation: became flesh (σὰρξ ἐγένετο).
The text says the Word became flesh, not that the Word began to exist.

The second contrast

“With God” and “the Word was God”

Start with the English“And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The Greek is included only to show what wording the explanation comes from. Everything is explained in plain English first, so you can follow the point without reading Greek.

See the Greek wording

καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος

The word translated ‘with’ (πρός) naturally expresses relationship here. John first distinguishes the Word (λόγος) from the God He is with, and then says that the Word was God (θεός).

John does not use the later technical word ‘person,’ but his wording distinguishes the Word from the One He is with. Nor does the grammar require the translation ‘a god.’ John describes the Word as θεός while also saying the Word was with God. Any later theological explanation must preserve both statements.

‘With God’ preserves a real distinction between the Word and the One He is with.
‘Was God’ prevents reducing the Word to a creature beside God.
In two statements placed side by side, John keeps both truths clear: the Word is distinguished from God and is described as God.

No exceptions

The Word is not part of creation

Start with the English“Apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.”

The Greek is included only to show what wording the explanation comes from. Everything is explained in plain English first, so you can follow the point without reading Greek.

See the Greek wording

χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν. ὃ γέγονεν

John goes beyond saying that many things were made through the Word. He first says ‘all things’ (πάντα), and then rules out every exception by saying ‘not even one’ (οὐδὲ ἕν).

If the Word were created, He would have to create Himself or be the only exception to John’s statement that nothing created was made without Him. John gives no such exception.

The personal Word

John describes the Word as acting and relating

John’s descriptions show what ‘the Word’ (λόγος) means in this passage. The Word is with God, creates all things, contains life, enters the world He made, is rejected or received, becomes flesh, and displays glory.

These actions and relationships prepare John’s identification of the Word made flesh as the unique Son who makes the Father known.

What the text contributes

John’s sentence structure places the Word before the created order, in relationship with God, described as θεός, and later entering creation by becoming flesh.

Keep the teaching precise

The text explicitly says

The Word already was in the beginning, was with God, was God, made all created things, and later became flesh.

The text naturally implies

The Word’s existence precedes creation and is personally relational: He is with God and later makes the Father known.

What this passage does not establish by itself

John 1 shows that the Word existed before creation, was with God, was God, created all things, and became human. It does not use later summary words such as ‘Trinity’ or ‘person.’ Those words are meant to summarize this passage together with the rest of Scripture.

Read this together with

Sources and further verification

NET Bible: John 1 and textual notes ↗