Interpretation of the Bible / John 1:1

Many people have wondered what exactly it means when they say, “The Word was God.” At first glance, this statement may seem contradictory, since “The Word” and “God” seem to be two different things. However, if we dig a little deeper, we will see that John’s statement is very consistent and significant.

To understand what John meant by “The Word,” we must remember that John wrote his Gospel in Greek, not Hebrew. In Greek, the word for “Word” is “Logos,” which refers to the divine Word of God. Thus, “The Word” is a reference to the divine Wisdom that is able to create and sustain the universe.

The Relationship Between the “Word” and God

John also says that “the Word was with God,” suggesting a close connection between the two. In fact, the Bible shows us that God created the world through His Word, as seen in Genesis 1:3: «And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.» The Word is therefore an extension of God himself and an expression of His will.

The Word was God

Perhaps the most interesting and controversial part of John 1:1 is the statement that "the Word was God." Some critics have argued that this contradicts the Oneness of God doctrine of Judaism and Christianity, which states that there is only one true God. On the other hand, Christians interpret it as an affirmation of the deity of Jesus Christ.

The Deity of Jesus Christ

John 1:14 states that "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This passage clearly refers to Jesus Christ, suggesting that John is viewing the Word as a reference to the Son of God.

Thus, when John states that "the Word was God," he is affirming the deity of Jesus Christ. This idea also applies to other Bible passages such as Colossians 1:15-20 and Hebrews 1:2-3, which describe Jesus as the visible image of the invisible God and the heir of all things.