King James Version
What Does John 1:2 Mean?
“The same was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:2 · KJV
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.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThis 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
- What does the eternal fellowship between Father and Son reveal about God's essential nature as relational?
- How does the Logos being 'with God' while also being God inform our understanding of the Trinity?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 7 wordsἀρχῇ4 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”
G4314a 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,
θεόν7 of 7
“God”
G2316a 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.