John 1:2

 

He was with God in the beginning.
John 1:2 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:2 King James Bible (KJV)
 
The Word was with God in the beginning.
John 1:2 New English Translation (NET)
 
He
The pronoun "He" refers to the "Word" mentioned in John 1:1, which is understood to be Jesus Christ. In the original Greek, the term is "οὗτος" (houtos), emphasizing the identity and personhood of Christ. This highlights the personal nature of the Word, affirming that Jesus is not an abstract concept but a living being with a distinct identity. In the context of the Gospel of John, this sets the stage for understanding Jesus as both fully divine and fully human, a cornerstone of Christian theology.
 
was
The verb "was" is translated from the Greek "ἦν" (ēn), which is the imperfect tense of "to be." This tense indicates continuous action in the past, suggesting the eternal existence of the Word. It implies that Jesus did not come into being at a point in time but has always existed. This aligns with the Christian doctrine of the pre-existence of Christ, affirming His divine nature and eternal presence with God.
 
with God
The phrase "with God" is translated from the Greek "πρὸς τὸν Θεόν" (pros ton Theon). The preposition "πρὸς" (pros) suggests a close, intimate relationship, indicating not just proximity but a face-to-face relationship. This underscores the unity and fellowship between Jesus and God the Father, emphasizing the distinct persons within the Godhead while maintaining their oneness. This relational aspect is foundational to understanding the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect communion.
 
in the beginning
The phrase "in the beginning" is "ἐν ἀρχῇ" (en archē) in Greek, echoing the opening words of Genesis 1:1. This deliberate parallel draws a connection between the creation account and the role of Christ in creation. It signifies that Jesus was present at the very start of all things, participating in the creation of the universe. This affirms His sovereignty and authority over all creation, reinforcing the belief that all things were made through Him and for Him, as further elaborated in Colossians 1:16-17. This eternal perspective invites believers to trust in Christ's unchanging nature and His ultimate plan for creation.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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He refers to the Word (Logos in Greek), which is introduced in John 1:1. In that verse, it's stated, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This "Word" is traditionally understood in Christian theology to be Jesus Christ.
 
Was with God indicates a close, personal relationship with God from the very beginning of time or even before time, as understood in Christian theology. This underscores the eternal nature of Christ, emphasizing that He existed with God from the outset.
 
In the beginning echoes the opening of Genesis, where "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Here, John's Gospel is setting up a narrative where Jesus, as the Word, is not only present at creation but is integral to it, aligning with the theological concept that all things were made through Him (John 1:3).
 
Theologically, this verse supports:
 
The pre-existence of Christ - Jesus existed before the physical creation of the world.
The divine nature of Christ - By being with God, Jesus shares in the divine essence, which is further elaborated in the concept of the Trinity where Jesus is distinct yet one with God.
The role of Christ in creation - The intimate association with God at the beginning of time points to Jesus' involvement in the act of creation.
 
This verse is foundational for Christian doctrine concerning the deity of Christ and His eternal existence alongside God the Father. It sets the stage for understanding Jesus not merely as a prophet or teacher but as God incarnate, which is a central theme throughout the Gospel of John.
 
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The same was in the beginning with God. This is a repetition of what is before said, and is made to show the importance of the truths before delivered; namely, the eternity of Christ, his distinct personality, and proper deity; and that the phrase, in the beginning, is to be joined to each of the above sentences; and so proves, not only his eternal existence, but his eternal existence with the Father, and also his eternal deity; and is also made to carry on the thread of the discourse, concerning the word, and not God the Father; and to express, not only his co-existence in nature, but his co-operation in the works of creation next mentioned.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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As we might imagine, all of this was a lot to take in for those who knew Jesus and had been around Him for very long. John was driving home the point that yes, this Word, Jesus, the One they had been around day after day, was right there at the ultimate beginning. Today, most of us have been around this idea for so long that we pretty much take it for granted, but for those back then it was a lot for them to try to wrap their heads around. Then, to take it even further, imagine what was going on in the thoughts of those who hadn’t been around Jesus at all, who were probably hearing all this for the first time.
 
For the Jews in particular, this was some pretty radical stuff. They would have been familiar with Wisdom and Wisdom’s personification in the book of Proverbs and others, but John is taking them even beyond that. He’s making the case that he’s not speaking simply of the personification of a concept, but of God himself. We are now travelling over unbroken ground in unexplored, even undiscovered territory.