King James Version

What Does John 1:2 Mean?

John 1:2 in the King James Version says “The same was in the beginning with God.” — study this verse from John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“The same was in the beginning with God.”

John 1:2 · King James Version

Context

1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2

The same was in the beginning with God.

3

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
This verse reinforces the eternal pre-existence of the Logos with emphatic repetition. The Greek phrase 'houtos en en arche pros ton theon' (οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν θεόν) literally reads 'This one was in the beginning with God.' The demonstrative pronoun 'houtos' (this one) points back to the Logos, emphasizing personal identity rather than abstract concept. The imperfect tense 'en' (was) again indicates continuous past existence without beginning point. The preposition 'pros' (with, toward) describes face-to-face fellowship—eternal communion between distinct persons sharing divine nature. This verse guards against two errors: that Christ had a beginning (Arianism) or that Father and Son are identical (Modalism). The Logos is eternally distinct yet eternally with God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

John writes to audiences familiar with both Jewish Wisdom literature (where Wisdom exists with God from eternity—Proverbs 8:22-31) and Greek philosophical concepts of the Logos as divine reason. By asserting the Logos was 'with God' in the beginning, John claims more than philosophical principle—this is personal, relational being. The repetition from verse 1 employs Hebrew parallelism, reinforcing truth through restatement. Early church councils at Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD) would cite such texts establishing Christ's eternal deity against Arian denials.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the eternal fellowship between Father and Son reveal about God's essential nature as relational?
  2. How does the Logos being 'with God' while also being God inform our understanding of the Trinity?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 7 words
οὗτος1 of 7

“The same”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἦν2 of 7

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἐν3 of 7

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἀρχῇ4 of 7

“the beginning”

G746

(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)

πρὸς5 of 7

“with”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν6 of 7
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεόν7 of 7

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 1:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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