A Johannine Study (John 1:1-3)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John’s first few words are reminiscent of another in the Bible: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1; emphasis mine). This connection is further legitimized in John’s use of the word “arche”, which can be translated as “beginning” or “origin”. If the origin is where we can get a better understanding of what John has to say, then to the origin of all things we go.

In the first chapter of Genesis, a story is told. This story immediately introduces the main character, God. It is implied that God existed before anything created existed. From that, it can be deduced that God’s very existence is unlike ours. Such a characteristic is not meant to be overlooked. Only a being that exists apart from creation can create creation! Through this, we can understand just how ultimate God is. He is not only ultimate, however, he is also artistic. Repeatedly, God literally speaks into existence the world as we know it. And not only is this world artistically created, it is considered good in his eyes. In other words, God determines what is moral. So, from his creative acts, it is clear that God is ultimate, artistic and good. But more can be said of John and Genesis.

There is one creative act that seems different from the rest: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Make no mistake, God identifies himself in the plural. The question is, who is he speaking of when he refers to himself as “us” and “our”? John has an answer. In the beginning was the Word. And when God created the world, the Word was creating with him. And the Word was creating with him because he was him! So, when God refers to himself plurally in Genesis 1:26, he is revealing himself as one with the Word.

What is the Word (Greek: “logos”)? As we know it, words are units of language that carry meaning. The difference between the words of our languages and the Word of God is: God. God’s Word speaks creation into existence, which is something no human speech or words can do: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (Psalms 33:6). God’s Word also saves people: “He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction” (Psalms 107:20). If God’s Word manifests himself when powerful words are needed and salvation is to be had, then the greatest manifestation of the Word is found in Jesus.

Jesus is the Word personified; or more precisely, Jesus is the Word incarnated. Thus, John’s statement is, in large part, Christological: In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. In other words, John is saying that his gospel is about God as the glorious Trinity. The Christian tradition affirms confessionally that the Trinity is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (the Word) and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2).

The Word as divine is substantively important for John. His whole gospel is understood in light of this thesis. But the Word as divine is also substantial for us too. The Word as divine is our thesis. This thesis paves the way for our salvation. If the Word were not made manifest in Jesus, then we are lost; but because Jesus came down to us, salvation is made possible through him.