CHAPTER 1:1-3

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.

Christian Response: ln the beginning" means in the beginning of history, or at root of the universe, denoting the source of the created order in the Word. The verb was (Greek en) is to be understood as the eternal existence of the Logos, "the Logos continually was." He was before all things and is not be identified with any created thing. The Greek word Logos means "word" in the special sense of revelation. Jesus Christ, as the divine Logos, is God’s revelation of His being and character (Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:1-4). That this Word was with God does not mean a causal relationship existed between the two, implies an intrinsic personal relationship. This is the force of the preposition with in the Greek (see also Matt. 13:56; Mark 6:3). This intrinsic relationship does not deny a distinction of persons. The affirmation, "the Word was God," means that all we can say of God can be said of the Word. To say that the Word was merely godlike or divine is incorrect. The precise structure of the clause in Greek clearly supports the complete deity of the one in nature with the Father, while maintaining His distinct personality. The Bible teaches that there is only one true God. If John 1:1 teaches that the Word is God, He must be that one true God, unless He is a false god. The Scripture exhaustively demonstrate that the Word, Jesus Christ, is not a false god. He must be the true God.

JWs: Since this says that the Word was "in the beginning," it must mean that the Word had a beginning himself and is therefore created, not eternal. That last clause of the verse should be translated "the Word was a god?’ We that only Jehovah is the Almighty God, and the Word (Son) is not Jehovah (Father). So the Word is a god, or a mighty one, but not the Almighty one.

Christian Response: There is nothing in the Greek or English that causally connects the "beginning" with any origin of the Word. On the contrary, the context (verse 3) shows that the Word could not have a beginning or be created since the Word created all things. He cannot be a member of the class He created. There is no reputable Greek scholar (Christian Trinitarian or otherwise) who would support the "a god" translation of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The result of Jehovah's Witness translation is the creation of two "true gods". This is a belief in polytheism (more then one god). Isa.44:6 says there is no true God other then Jehovah. Isa.44:24 shows that Jehovah alone and by Himself created all things. The Word (Jesus Christ) most be Jehovah God.