John 1:1

Letters to the Faithful - John 1:1

Berean Standard 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.

Greek Text:
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.

Transliteration:
En archē ēn ho Logos, kai ho Logos ēn pros ton Theon, kai Theos ēn ho Logos.

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In the beginning
This phrase echoes the opening of Genesis 1:1, establishing a connection between the creation account and the Gospel of John. It signifies the pre-existence of the Word, indicating that the Word was present before the creation of the world. This emphasizes the eternal nature of the Word, suggesting that the Word is not a created being but has always existed. The phrase sets the stage for understanding the divine nature of the Word, aligning with the Jewish understanding of God as eternal.

was the Word
The term "Word" (Logos in Greek) is rich in meaning. In Jewish thought, the Word of God is associated with creation, revelation, and salvation. In Greek philosophy, Logos refers to reason or the principle of order in the universe. By using this term, the text bridges Jewish and Greek understandings, presenting the Word as the divine agent of creation and revelation. The Word is not merely a spoken word but a person, as later verses reveal, who is active in the world.

and the Word was with God
This phrase indicates a distinct yet intimate relationship between the Word and God. The preposition "with" suggests a face-to-face relationship, implying both distinction and unity. This relationship is foundational for the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, where the Word (later identified as Jesus Christ) is distinct from the Father yet fully divine. The phrase underscores the personal nature of the Word, who is in communion with God.

and the Word was God
This declaration affirms the full divinity of the Word. It is a clear statement of the Word's divine nature, asserting that the Word is not a lesser deity or a created being but fully God. This is crucial for understanding the identity of Jesus Christ, who is later revealed as the Word made flesh. The phrase supports the Christian belief in the deity of Christ, aligning with other New Testament passages such as Colossians 2:9 and Hebrews 1:3, which speak of the fullness of deity dwelling in Christ.

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh, the eternal Son through whom all things were made. I write to you, dear brothers and sisters, scattered across the nations yet united in the one hope of our calling, that you may be strengthened in faith, renewed in mind, and filled with the knowledge of Him who is from the beginning. To the churches of every tongue and tribe, to the weary and the joyful, to the seeker and the saint: may the Spirit of wisdom rest upon you as we ponder the mystery revealed in the Gospel of John, chapter one, verse one: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Beloved, consider the weight of these words, breathed by the Holy Spirit through the pen of the apostle John, who leaned upon the breast of our Savior and bore witness to His glory. This is no mere greeting or passing thought, but a declaration of eternal truth, a foundation unshaken by time or tempest. “In the beginning”—before the stars were kindled, before the earth was framed, before the breath of life filled the lungs of man—there was the Word. Not created, not fashioned, not summoned into being, but was—ever-existing, unchanging, eternal. This Word, dear ones, is not a fleeting sound or a written mark, but the living expression of God Himself, the Son who is one with the Father in essence and glory.

Let us marvel together at this mystery: “the Word was with God.” Here we see the communion of the Godhead, the fellowship of Father and Son in the unity of the Spirit, a love so perfect and complete that it overflows into all creation. The Word was not apart from God, not a stranger or a servant merely sent, but with Him—distinct yet inseparable, face to face in eternal intimacy. And yet, John proclaims an even greater wonder: “the Word was God.” There is no division here, no lesser deity or created intermediary. The Word is not a shadow of divinity but divinity itself—fully God, possessing all power, all wisdom, all majesty. What comfort this brings to us, frail as we are, that the One who would later tabernacle among us is none other than God Himself!

To you who labor under the burdens of this world, hear this good news: the same Word who was in the beginning is the One who upholds all things by the power of His will. The chaos of the seas, the vastness of the heavens, the breath in your lungs—all came to be through Him, for “all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). When you gaze upon the mountains or hear the laughter of a child, you behold the handiwork of the Word who is God. When you feel the sting of sin or the ache of loss, know that this same Word has not abandoned you but has drawn near to redeem you.

For this, beloved, is the heart of our faith: the Word did not remain distant, enthroned in unapproachable light. No, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He who was with God and was God took on our humanity—born of a virgin, cradled in a manger, walking the dusty roads of Galilee. He hungered as we hunger, wept as we weep, and bore the weight of our transgressions upon the cross. Why? That we, who were far off, might be brought near; that we, who were dead in sin, might live through Him. The eternal Word spoke life into the void at creation, and now He speaks forgiveness into the hearts of all who believe.

Therefore, I urge you, saints of God, to fix your eyes upon this Word. In a world of shifting shadows and empty promises, He alone is the truth. Men may boast of their wisdom, kings may trust in their power, but all their words will fade like the grass of the field. Yet the Word of God stands forever—yesterday, today, and unto the ages of ages. When doubts assail you, when fears whisper in the night, return to this truth: the One who was in the beginning is with you even now, for He has promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Let this knowledge stir you to worship, dear ones. Lift your voices in praise to the Word who is God, who reigns with the Father and the Spirit, one God in three persons, blessed forever. Let it also compel you to love, for as He has dwelt among us, so we must dwell among one another—bearing each other’s burdens, speaking truth in gentleness, and shining as lights in a darkened world. The Word became flesh not to condemn but to save, and we, His ambassadors, must reflect His grace to all.

To the young in faith, I say: cling to this Word, for it is your life. Study it, treasure it, let it dwell in you richly. To the seasoned believer, I exhort: do not grow weary, for the Word who was in the beginning is the same who will return in glory to make all things new. And to those who have yet to know Him, I plead: come to the Word who is God, for He calls to you with open arms, saying, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).

Now may the God of peace, who spoke the Word into being and sent Him forth for our salvation, strengthen you in every good work and word. May the Spirit illuminate your hearts to see the glory of the Word made flesh, and may you abide in Him until that day when we behold Him face to face. Grace be with you all.

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Almighty and Eternal God, Creator of all that is, was, and ever shall be, we gather before Your boundless majesty, our hearts lifted in awe and reverence, to proclaim the truth of Your Word, the Word that was with You in the beginning, as revealed in the Gospel of John. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God—O profound mystery, O radiant truth that pierces the darkness of our finite minds! We stand humbled, O Lord, before the eternal unity of Your divine essence, where the Word, Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, dwells in perfect communion with You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

We beseech You, O God of all creation, to pour forth Your grace upon this assembly, upon every soul who seeks Your face, and upon the farthest reaches of the earth where Your light yearns to shine. Let the truth of Your Word, which spoke the heavens into being and breathed life into the dust of the earth, awaken our hearts to the glory of Your presence. As the Word was with You before time began, so too may we abide with You, drawn ever closer through the saving power of Your Son, who is the Light of the world, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Forgive us, merciful Father, for the times we have turned from Your Word, when our ears have grown deaf to its call, and our eyes have wandered from its radiance. We confess our weakness, our distractions, and our failures to embody the love and truth of Your Son. Yet, in Your boundless compassion, You sent the Word to become flesh, to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. O Christ, eternal Word, You who knew no sin became sin for our sake, that we might become the righteousness of God! We plead Your mercy, that Your sacrifice may cleanse us, renew us, and set our feet upon the path of holiness.

We pray, O Lord, for Your Church, the living Body of Christ, that it may be a faithful steward of Your Word, proclaiming its power to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Strengthen Your shepherds, embolden Your witnesses, and unite Your people in the bond of peace, that the world may know You through the love we bear one another. Let Your Word, sharper than any two-edged sword, pierce the hearts of those who wander in darkness, that they may turn to You, the source of all light. We lift before You the weary, the broken, the oppressed, and the lost—may Your Word be their comfort, their hope, and their salvation.

O Holy Spirit, divine breath of God, who moved upon the waters in the beginning and inspired the sacred Scriptures, dwell within us now. Illuminate our minds to understand the depths of Your Word, and kindle our hearts to live its truth. As the Word was with God, so let Your presence be with us, guiding us into all truth, convicting us of sin, and leading us to the abundant life promised by our Savior. Empower us to be doers of the Word, not hearers only, that our lives may reflect the glory of Christ, who is the image of the invisible God.

We offer this prayer for all people, O God, for those who know You and those who have yet to encounter Your love. May the eternal Word, who became flesh and dwelt among us, draw every heart to the foot of the cross, where mercy and justice embrace. We pray for the nations, that Your peace, which surpasses understanding, may prevail where strife and division reign. We pray for the young, that they may grow in the knowledge of Your Word, and for the elderly, that they may rest in its promises. We pray for the skeptic, the seeker, and the saint, that all may behold the glory of the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth.

O God, whose Word is living and active, eternal and unchanging, we entrust ourselves to You, knowing that Your promises are sure. As You spoke in the beginning, so speak to us now, that we may hear and obey. As Your Word became flesh to redeem us, so let it take root in us, transforming us into the likeness of Your Son. And as Your Word endures forever, let us abide in it, that we may dwell with You in the eternal joy of Your kingdom, where You reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forevermore. Amen.