John 1:1 is one of the most well-known and debated verses in the Bible. It reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The phrase “the Word was God” has been interpreted in different ways throughout church history. Here is an in-depth look at the meaning and significance of this verse.
The Identity of “the Word”
First, to understand this phrase, we need to know who “the Word” refers to. John 1 tells us clearly that “the Word” is Jesus. John 1:14 says “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” So John is teaching us that Jesus is “the Word” who was with God and was God from the beginning.
“Was” Indicates Continual Existence
“Was” in the phrase “the Word was God” is a significant term. In the original Greek, it is the word “en” which indicates continual existence. It means that the Word (Jesus) continually existed as God. There was never a time when Jesus was not fully God. This reinforces the eternal deity of Christ which is crucial to orthodox Christian belief.
The Lack of the Definite Article
In the Greek text, there is no definite article (“the”) before “God” in the phrase “the Word was God.” John did not say “the Word was the God.” This is important because if John had used the definite article, it would imply that “God” and “the Word” were identical. The lack of the definite article before “God” implies that while the Word has all the divine attributes of God, He is distinct from the Father. They share the same divine essence, but they are separate Persons. This supports later trinitarian formulations of God’s triune nature.
“God” Indicates Divine Nature
The term “God” in this phrase means that the Word shares the divine nature or essence fully with the Father. Jesus possesses all the attributes of deity such as omnipotence, omniscience, etc. As John says in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” They are unified in their divine essence. This verse serves as an unmistakable claim to Christ’s divinity even while on earth as a man.
Relation to Old Testament Revelation
John’s teaching about the Word builds upon divine revelation given in the Old Testament. The “Word” or “Wisdom” of God is personified in places like Proverbs 8. There, wisdom was “beside” God and involved in creation (Prov. 8:22-31). John takes Old Testament teaching showing that the Word of God is active and personified, and makes explicit its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Christ is the embodiment of the Word through which God revealed Himself prior to creation.
Affirmation of Christ’s Preexistence
This verse powerfully affirms Christ’s preexistence. His existence did not begin when He was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He was eternally existent with the Father before creation. This affirms Christ’s divinity because only God has no beginning. The teaching of Christ’s preexistence is a critical truth that appears elsewhere in Scripture such as John 8:58 and Colossians 1:17.
Equality with God the Father
By describing the Word as “God,” John boldly proclaims Christ’s equality with God the Father. If Jesus shares the divine nature fully with the Father, then He must be equal to the Father in His being. This equality is also taught in places like John 5:18 and Philippians 2:6 which speak of Jesus being equal with God. The Word’s divine attributes and creative power implies equality of essence.
The Word as Agent of Creation
Because the Word is God, John says “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Since God created all things, the Word’s role in creation indicates His deity. Hebrews 1:2 similarly teaches that through Christ God “created the universe.” Christ was the agent of creation because He Himself was divine. This parallels God speaking creation into existence in Genesis 1.
A Defense Against False Teaching
John may have been combating false teachers who denied Christ’s divinity even during His earthly life. This verse serves as a bulwark against any who would try to deny Christ’s deity. John states it plainly to demonstrate that Scripture teaches that Jesus was fully God even on earth as a man. Any teaching to the contrary is outside of biblical orthodoxy.
A Statement of Christian Doctrine
This phrase summarizes a core truth of Christian teaching about Christ’s divine nature and equality with God the Father. It serves as a concise statement of doctrine regarding the Trinity. It teaches that Christ shared fully in the divine nature as the Second Person of the Trinity, while being distinct from the Father in personhood. Any biblical doctrine of Christ’s identity must flow from the teach of this seminal verse.
Indicates Salvation Comes Only Through Christ
Because only God Himself could reconcile man to God, Christ’s deity is essential to the Gospel. A created being could not provide true salvation. Only God taking on human flesh could make atonement for human sin. This points to the truth that salvation is through Christ alone. There is no other name under heaven by which man can be saved (Acts 4:12).
Parallels the Incarnation
There is an important parallel between the Word being God and yet distinct from God, and the teaching of the Incarnation that Christ remained fully God yet fully man. In the Incarnation, the divine Word maintained His divine nature while adding a human nature. He did not cease to be God. This parallels the Word being God while distinct from the Father. In both the Incarnation and the relationship of the Word to God, there is difference in personhood but unity in essential nature.
A Mystery that Inspires Wonder
While this verse teaches crucial truths about Christ’s divine nature and work, it remains a profound mystery. Finite man cannot fully comprehend the nature of an infinite God. There is an element of paradox in the Word being distinct from God yet fully divine. This leads to wonder and worship at the magnitude of God’s being. Though we may not fully understand, we are called to marvel at Christ, God in the flesh come to redeem us.
A Starting Point for Reflection
This seminal verse launches John’s poetic prologue reflecting on the divine glory manifested in Christ. The rest of the prologue expands on what it means that the eternal Word of God took on flesh in Jesus. As the foundation, this verse lays the groundwork for deep Christological reflection and meditation on the miracle of the Incarnation. It provides a starting point for worshiping contemplation.
Conclusion
In summary, John 1:1 powerfully and succinctly asserts the deity of Christ as the eternal Word of God who took on human flesh. It teaches that Jesus has always existed as God while being distinct in personhood from God the Father. This truth holds great doctrinal and practical significance. It affirms Christ’s divinity and His oneness with the Father. This provides assurance of the efficacy of Christ’s atoning work which only God could accomplish. What a marvelous truth!