John 1:2

Letters to the Faithful - John 1:2

Berean Standard Bible
He was with God in the beginning.

King James Bible
The same was in the beginning with God.

Greek Text:
Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.

Transliteration:
Houtos ēn en archē pros ton Theon.

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He was with God
This phrase emphasizes the pre-existence of the Word, affirming that the Word (Logos) was not a created being but existed eternally with God. This aligns with the doctrine of the Trinity, where the Word is understood as the second person, the Son, who is distinct yet fully divine. The concept of the Word being "with" God suggests a relationship of intimacy and unity, reflecting the eternal fellowship within the Godhead. This is consistent with other scriptural references such as John 17:5, where Jesus speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before the world began.

in the beginning.
The phrase "in the beginning" echoes the opening of Genesis 1:1, drawing a parallel between the creation account and the role of the Word in creation. It signifies the timeless nature of the Word, existing before time and creation. This connection underscores the Word's active participation in creation, as seen in John 1:3, where all things were made through Him. The use of "beginning" also points to the foundational role of the Word in the divine plan, highlighting the continuity of God's purpose from creation to redemption. This phrase sets the stage for understanding the Word's authority and sovereignty over all creation, as further elaborated in Colossians 1:16-17.

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Grace and peace be unto you, beloved in Christ Jesus, from God our Father and from the Lord, the Word made flesh, who reigns forever at His right hand. I write to you, not as one who boasts in his own wisdom, but as a servant of the truth revealed through the Holy Scriptures, that you may be strengthened in faith and built up in the knowledge of Him who is from the beginning.

Consider the testimony of the blessed apostle John, who, moved by the Spirit of God, declares in his gospel, "He was with God in the beginning" (John 1:2). Behold the mystery and the majesty of this word! The "He" of whom John speaks is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, the Word uncreated, through whom all things were made. Before the mountains were formed, before the heavens were spread abroad, before the foundations of the earth were laid—yea, before time itself was breathed into being—He was. Not as a created thing, nor as a mere thought of the Father, but as One who is with God, equal in essence, distinct in person, sharing the glory of the Godhead from everlasting to everlasting.

O saints, marvel at this: the One who walked among us, who broke bread with sinners, who bore the scourge and the cross, is He who was with God in the beginning! The Word did not come into being; He is. The world was not, yet He was. The darkness knew Him not, yet He shone forth as the Light of life. Herein lies our hope, our anchor, our joy—that the eternal Son, being with God, is God, and in His great love He stooped to dwell with us, that we might dwell with Him forever.

Let this truth stir your hearts, brethren. You who labor under the weight of sin, you who wrestle with doubt, you who seek the face of God—know that the One who intercedes for you is not a stranger to the Father, nor a latecomer to His counsels. He was with God in the beginning, and by Him the Father’s will is accomplished. Through Him the heavens declare His glory; through Him the promise of redemption was purposed before the ages began. What then shall separate us from such a love? Shall trial or tempest? Nay, for He who was with God is now with us, Immanuel, our Savior and King.

Therefore, I charge you, beloved: walk worthy of this calling. Let not your hearts be troubled by the fleeting shadows of this age, for your life is hid with Christ, who is eternal. Abide in His word, as He abides with the Father. Proclaim His name to the nations, for the One who was in the beginning has spoken, and His voice shall not return void. And when the end of all things draws near, lift up your heads, for He who was with God shall come again in glory, and every knee shall bow before Him.
Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

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Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of all that is seen and unseen, we gather in the radiance of Your eternal presence, our hearts lifted in awe and reverence before the mystery of Your Word, who was with You in the beginning, as proclaimed in the sacred truth of John 1:2. O Lord, You who are the source of all life, the fountain of all wisdom, and the light that pierces every shadow, we stand humbled by the glory of Your Son, the Word made flesh, who dwelt with You before time was woven, co-eternal, co-equal, and one in the divine essence of Your boundless love. In Him, all things were made; through Him, all things hold together; and by Him, we are called into the fellowship of Your grace.

Father most holy, we marvel at the mystery of Your Word, who was not created but was with You, sharing in the divine council, the unbegotten splendor of Your majesty. Before the mountains were raised, before the seas were filled, before the stars sang their first hymn of praise, He was there—Your beloved Son, the eternal Logos, through whom You spoke the cosmos into being. O God, how vast is Your purpose, how unfathomable Your wisdom, that in the unity of Your divine nature, You chose to reveal Yourself through the Word who is ever near Your heart. We bow before this truth, confessing that our minds cannot fully grasp the depths of Your eternity, yet our souls rejoice in the simplicity of Your love, which invites us to know You through Him who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Lord of all creation, we pray for Your people scattered across the earth—every tribe, every nation, every tongue—who seek to walk in the light of Your Word. May the truth of John 1:2 awaken in us a deeper hunger for Your presence, a bolder faith in Your promises, and a steadfast hope in Your redeeming power. Let Your Spirit, who hovered over the waters at the dawn of time, move among us now, stirring our hearts to worship, renewing our minds to understand, and transforming our lives to reflect the glory of Your Son. O God, make us vessels of Your grace, ambassadors of Your kingdom, and bearers of the light that shines in the darkness, which the darkness cannot overcome.

We lift before You, O merciful Father, those who are weary, those who are broken, and those who wander far from Your truth. May the eternal Word, who was with You in the beginning, draw near to them in their pain, their doubt, and their longing. Speak peace to the troubled heart, strength to the faltering spirit, and hope to the soul that despairs. Let the radiance of Your Son, who is the image of Your invisible glory, shine upon those who dwell in the shadow of sorrow, that they may find healing in His wounds, freedom in His truth, and life in His resurrection. O Lord, You who are rich in mercy, pour out Your compassion on the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten, and raise up Your church to be a beacon of Your justice and love in a world that groans for redemption.

Eternal God, we pray also for those who lead Your people—pastors, teachers, and servants of Your gospel. Grant them wisdom to proclaim the mystery of Your Word with clarity, courage to stand firm in the face of trial, and humility to serve as Christ served. Unite Your church, O Lord, in the bond of Your Spirit, that we may be one as You and Your Word are one, bearing witness to Your love before a watching world. Kindle in us a fire of devotion, that we may live not for ourselves but for Him who was with You in the beginning, who became flesh for our salvation, and who reigns forever at Your right hand.

O Holy One, we confess our failings, our distractions, and our tendency to seek lesser lights when Your Word shines so brightly before us. Forgive us, we pray, and cleanse us by the blood of Your Son, that we may walk worthy of the calling You have placed upon us. Teach us to abide in Your Word, to cherish Your truth, and to proclaim Your gospel with boldness and love. May our lives be a living hymn to the glory of Your name, declaring to all generations that the Word who was with You in the beginning is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Now, O God, receive our praise, our petitions, and our adoration, for You alone are worthy. We offer this prayer through Jesus Christ, Your eternal Word, who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forevermore. Amen.