The statement that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” comes from the opening verses of John’s Gospel (John 1:1-2). This profound claim about Jesus’ pre-existence and deity has been the subject of much reflection and debate over the centuries. A full examination of what it means that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” requires unpacking several interrelated questions:
First, what is meant by “in the beginning”? The phrase echoes the opening words of Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” John appears to be consciously connecting Jesus to the creation account in Genesis. The “beginning” refers to the start of the created order. Jesus’ existence is traced back to before the creation of space, time, and matter.
Second, what is the relationship between Jesus and God indicated by the phrase “with God”? The Greek preposition translated “with” connotes accompaniment, association, and relationship. It means Jesus was “in the presence of” and “in communion with” God at the start of creation. This implies interpersonal fellowship and equality between Jesus and God.
Third, how does this statement identify Jesus? In saying Jesus was “with God” and pre-existent at creation, John affirms Jesus’ deity. Only God would have been present before creation. The claim of Jesus’ pre-existence points to his divine identity.
Fourth, how does John 1:1 identify the “God” that Jesus was with? Based on the context and John’s assumption of the Old Testament backdrop, this is clearly a reference to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Jesus is being specifically linked to the one true Creator God of the Bible.
In summary, for Jesus to be “in the beginning with God” means:
- Jesus’ existence did not start with his human birth. He pre-existed prior to the creation of the universe.
- Jesus has been in eternal fellowship and communion with God the Father, suggesting equality of divine nature.
- Jesus shares the identity of Yahweh – He is the God who appeared to Israel and spoke through the prophets.
- Jesus is not the Father, but is distinct in person while equal in nature – able to be “with” God and share communion.
This profound statement about Jesus’ true identity and relationship to the Father lays the foundation for the rest of John’s Gospel. The Word who took on flesh as Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:14) was none other than the eternal God in close relationship with the Father. This highlights the staggering claims made about Jesus and explains the opposition he faced from Jewish leaders for apparently making himself equal with God (John 5:18).
In the subsequent verses of John 1, the apostle continues unpacking the significance of Jesus’ pre-existence and deity. John testifies that Jesus is the uncreated Creator of all things (John 1:3). Nothing came into being apart from Jesus. As God, all things were made through Him. John also identifies Jesus as the source of life who brought light into the world (John 1:4-5). These themes of creation, life, and light tie back to Jesus’ divine identity as the One who was in the beginning with God.
In summary, John’s declaration that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” is a profound claim about Jesus’ divine pre-existence and equality with God the Father. This statement means:
- Jesus has always existed – He did not come into being at a point in time.
- Jesus has always been distinct from the Father, yet equal in divine nature.
- Jesus shares fully in the identity of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
- Jesus creates, authors life, and illuminates – activities proper only to deity.
This succinct claim packs enormous weight – identifying Jesus as the eternal, uncreated divine Son who enjoys face-to-face relationship with the Father. As the rest of John’s Gospel unpacks the identity of Jesus as the incarnate Word, the anchor point remains this profound declaration of his eternal pre-existence and deity. Jesus was truly “in the beginning with God.”
Now let’s dig deeper into the specific words and grammar John used in this compact but explosive claim about Jesus’ true identity and relationship to the Father before time began. By looking closely at the verse in its original language, we gain additional insight into the significance of what John is asserting about Jesus.
In the Greek text, John 1:2 reads:
“houtos ēn en archē pros ton theon”
Let’s walk through this phrase word-by-word:
houtos = “This one” refers back to the “Word” (logos) mentioned in v.1, meaning Jesus.
ēn = “Was” indicates a continuing state of being in the past.
en archē = “In [the] beginning” echoes LXX Genesis 1:1 and refers to before creation.
pros ton theon = “With the God” indicates presence and relationship.
Putting this together, a very literal rendering would be:
“This one was continually in the beginning with the God.”
The use of the imperfect tense “was” (ēn) is important, as it indicates ongoing existence rather than a single event. Jesus did not merely “become” or “happen” in the beginning, but rather continuously existed without a start point.
The preposition “pros” has a flexible range of meaning, but conveys the ideas of presence, relationship, and even intimacy. So a very literal rendering of John 1:2 would be: ”This one was continually in the beginning with the God.”
This precise grammar reinforces the concepts of eternal pre-existence and close fellowship between Jesus and the Father prior to creation. Let’s see how this verse fits within the broader context of John 1:
Verse 1: The Word (Jesus) was existing eternally in the beginning as God.
Verse 2: This Word (Jesus) was eternally in relationship with God the Father.
Verse 3: Through the Word (Jesus) everything was created.
Verse 14: The Word (Jesus) became flesh as the man Jesus Christ.
The progression through chapter 1 starts with the eternal pre-existent Jesus in the beginning, then moves to what He accomplished in creation, then shifts to His incarnation as Jesus on earth. The anchor point is John 1:2, affirming that the Jesus who created and became flesh was first eternally God in relationship with the Father.
In conclusion, a close look at the vocabulary and grammar of John 1:2 provides additional depth and nuance to John’s monumental statement about Jesus’ pre-existence and deity. The specific words chosen reinforce that Jesus continually existed without beginning, and enjoyed intimate relationship with God the Father, prior to the creation of all things. This profound claim about Jesus’ identity lays the groundwork for the rest of John’s Gospel and the entire New Testament revelation.
Now that we’ve examined the meaning of Jesus being “in the beginning with God” from the broader context and specific wording of John 1:2, it will be helpful to see how this statement fits with other passages of Scripture that speak to Jesus’ pre-existence and deity.
Several other New Testament texts reinforce and expand on the concepts we’ve identified in John 1:
- John 8:58 – Jesus declares “Before Abraham was, I am.” He claims existence and interaction with God’s people prior to His incarnation.
- John 17:5 – Jesus refers to the glory He shared with the Father “before the world existed.” Again affirming pre-existence.
- Philippians 2:6-7 – Christ existed in the “form of God” before humbling himself and becoming human.
- Colossians 1:15-17 – Jesus is the image of God, creator of all things, and the one in whom all things hold together. An explicit statement of Christ’s deity and role in creation.
- Hebrews 1:2-3 – The Father created the worlds through Jesus and Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
- Revelation 22:13 – Jesus declares “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Claiming title as the eternal God without beginning or end.
These cross-references demonstrate how Jesus’ pre-existence and deity are consistent themes across the New Testament, not just in John’s writings. The authors of Scripture unite in pointing back to Genesis 1 and declaring that Jesus was eternally God with the Father prior to creation and time.
Not only do other New Testament writers echo John’s claims about Jesus, but Old Testament prophecies also establish this same truth. While the Old Testament does not state it as explicitly, hints and foreshadowings of the pre-existent Christ appear in several passages:
- Isaiah 9:6 – The Son who is promised will be called “Eternal Father.”
- Micah 5:2 – The future ruler of Israel has origins “from the days of eternity.”
- Daniel 7:13-14 – The “Ancient of Days” gives dominion to “one like the son of man”, indicating a distinction between these two divine persons.
- Proverbs 8:22-31 – Personified Wisdom was present at creation with God.
Though less direct than the New Testament statements, these prophetic hints steer Jewish readers to expect a coming Messiah with eternal origins. The seeds of understanding Jesus’ pre-existence are sown in the Old Testament.
In summary, the totality of Scripture underscores what John 1:2 first establishes – that Jesus eternally existed with the Father prior to creation and time itself. This affirmation of Jesus as the uncreated pre-existent Creator God is essential to orthodox Christian belief in His unique identity.
Now that we’ve looked extensively at what the Bible teaches about Jesus’ pre-existence and deity, it will be helpful to address some key questions that often arise regarding this topic:
Does this mean Jesus was created or came into being at some point?
No, the language clearly indicates Jesus has always existed without any point of beginning. Terms like “in the beginning” and descriptions of Jesus as “uncreated” rule out the idea that He was the first created being or ever came into existence. Jesus’ existence stretches eternally into the past without starting point.
How can Jesus be distinguished from the Father if He is eternal God also?
The biblical language differentiates between Jesus’ divine identity and His personhood. Though equal in nature, Jesus is portrayed as a distinct self-aware subject who fellowshipped with the Father before creation. This interpersonal give-and-take relationship necessitates some form of personal differentiation.
If Jesus created all things, does this include the Holy Spirit?
No, Scripture presents the Spirit as fully God along with the Father and Son. All three persons of the Trinity share equally in the divine essence. So while Jesus created the material universe, He did not bring the Holy Spirit into being.
How does this impact Jesus being born on earth?
Jesus’ miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit was the means by which the eternally pre-existent Son added a true human nature. His incarnation was not the beginning of His existence, only the start of becoming human alongside His continued divine nature.
Does belief in Jesus’ pre-existence and deity originate with the Gospel of John?
No, this view of Jesus is present implicitly in the Synoptic Gospels and explicitly in the writings of Paul and other New Testament authors before John wrote his Gospel. Affirmation of Jesus as the pre-existent divine Son was present very early in Christian belief and practice.
Wrestling with these kinds of questions enables us to tease out challenging facets of what it means for Jesus to be eternally God but become a man in order to save humanity. The doctrine of Christ’s pre-existence stands at the very heart of Christian theology.
In conclusion, the statement that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” is an astonishing claim that requires time to fully digest in all its profundity. Understanding the meaning and implications of this succinct line in John 1:2 provides insight into the true glory and identity of Jesus Christ as revealed across Scripture. Delving into this verse demonstrates that Christianity is rooted in belief in Jesus as the eternal, uncreated Son who shared fellowship with the Father before time and creation itself began. Affirming Christ’s pre-existence and deity is essential to faithful Christian belief and practice.