InstaStudy

An In-Depth Examination of the Terms “With,” “Was,” and “God” in First Century BCE and CE Hebrew: Exploring Their Significance and Translation in John 1:1.

This study delves into the profound opening statement of John's Gospel, meticulously analyzing the original Greek terms and their conceptual roots in First Century BCE and CE Hebrew thought. We will explore how the terms 'with,' 'was,' and 'God' contribute to our understanding of the divine nature, focusing on their linguistic nuances and theological implications within the context of John 1:1. The aim is to uncover a consistent and unified understanding of God as presented in Scripture.

1. The Linguistic and Conceptual Landscape of John 1:1

1.1 "In the Beginning" - Echoes of Creation and Eternity

Verses: Genesis 1:1; John 1:1a; Psalm 90:2
  • Exploring the phrase 'in the beginning' as a reference to eternal existence and the commencement of all things.
  • Connecting John's opening to the Genesis account, highlighting the Word's pre-existence and role in creation.
  • Understanding 'beginning' not as a temporal start for the Word, but for creation itself.

1.2 The Term "Logos" (Word) in Hellenistic and Hebrew Thought

Verses: John 1:1; Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 55:11
  • Examining the Greek 'Logos' as more than just spoken words, but encompassing thought, reason, plan, and divine expression.
  • Tracing the concept of God's 'Word' in the Old Testament as an active, creative, and revealing force.
  • Understanding the Word as the outward manifestation of God's inner being and purpose.

1.3 The Significance of "Was" (ēn) in John 1:1a

Verses: John 1:1a; John 8:58; Exodus 3:14
  • Analyzing the imperfect tense of 'ēn' (was) to denote continuous, ongoing existence without a beginning.
  • Contrasting 'was' with 'became' (egeneto) to emphasize the Word's eternal nature versus created things.
  • Highlighting the Word's timeless presence, not as something that came into being.

2. Unpacking "And the Word Was With God" (John 1:1b)

2.1 The Preposition "Pros" (With) - Relationship and Direction

Verses: John 1:1b; Matthew 13:56; 1 John 1:2
  • Investigating 'pros' (with) as indicating direction towards, relationship, or intimate communion, rather than spatial separation.
  • Understanding 'pros ton theon' as the Word being in the presence and counsel of God, as God's own thought or plan.
  • Rejecting interpretations that suggest two distinct, separate entities existing side-by-side.

2.2 Identifying "Ho Theos" (God) in John 1:1b

Verses: John 1:1b; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6
  • Affirming 'ho theos' (the God) as referring to the one, singular, supreme God of Israel.
  • Emphasizing the absolute unity and sole sovereignty of this 'ho theos' throughout Scripture.
  • Understanding that the Word is 'with' this one God, not a separate deity alongside Him.

2.3 The Word as God's Self-Expression and Plan

Verses: John 1:1b; Proverbs 8:22-31; Colossians 1:15
  • Interpreting the Word being 'with God' as God's own eternal thought, wisdom, and plan existing within Himself.
  • Illustrating how a person's word or thought is 'with' them before it is expressed, yet it is still part of that person.
  • The Word is the divine mind and purpose, intrinsically united with the one God.

3. The Profound Statement: "And the Word Was God" (John 1:1c)

3.1 The Qualitative Nature of "Theos En Ho Logos"

Verses: John 1:1c; John 10:30; Philippians 2:6
  • Analyzing the grammatical construction 'theos en ho logos' (God was the Word) as a qualitative statement, not an identity statement of two distinct persons.
  • Understanding that the Word possessed the very nature and essence of God, not that it was a separate divine being.
  • The Word is divine in quality and substance, fully God.

3.2 The Word as the Manifestation of the One God

Verses: John 1:1c; Isaiah 9:6; 1 Timothy 3:16
  • Explaining that the Word is not a second God, but the one God Himself, expressed and revealed.
  • The Word is the active, self-revealing aspect of the singular God.
  • Affirming that the Word *is* God, meaning there is no distinction in essence or being, only in mode of expression.

3.3 Rejecting Polytheistic Interpretations

Verses: Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 45:5; Mark 12:29
  • Emphasizing the consistent monotheism of the Bible, which precludes the existence of multiple divine persons.
  • Clarifying that 'the Word was God' upholds the singularity of God, rather than introducing a plurality of divine beings.
  • The statement confirms the Word's full divinity as the one God, not as a lesser or separate god.

4. The Incarnation: The Word Made Flesh (John 1:14)

4.1 The Word Became Flesh - God's Self-Revelation

Verses: John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3
  • Understanding 'the Word became flesh' as the one God manifesting Himself in human form.
  • The incarnation is God revealing His full nature and character in Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God, not a separate divine entity taking on flesh.

4.2 Jesus Christ as the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily

Verses: Colossians 2:9; John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 5:19
  • Affirming that in Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, meaning the entirety of God's being.
  • Jesus is not merely a representative of God, but God Himself in human form.
  • God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.

4.3 The Unity of God in the Person of Jesus Christ

Verses: John 10:30; John 14:7-11; Isaiah 45:21-23
  • Highlighting Jesus' statements that demonstrate His oneness with the Father, not as two separate persons, but as different manifestations of the same God.
  • The Father is the Spirit, and the Son is the fleshly manifestation of that Spirit.
  • Jesus is the one God, Yahweh, come in the flesh to redeem humanity.