The Nature of God and Christ - Members Site - United Church of God

THE NATURE OF GOD AND CHRISTDoctrinal Study PaperAppendix AAn Analysis of John 1:1As noted in the study paper, John 1:1 can be divided into three phrases. After the firstphrase, which begins with “in the beginning,” the other two phrases both begin with the Greekkai (and). If we write these three phrases out in Greek with the English alongside, we have thefollowing:1. {IN [THE]} {BEGINNING} {WAS} {THE} {WORD,}2. {AND} {THE} {WORD} {WAS} {WITH} {} {GOD,}3. {AND} {GOD} {WAS} {THE} {WORD.}Let’s look at each of these phrases and ask what John was trying to tell us about JesusChrist. Remember, he was writing the story of Christ.In the first phrase a simple and straightforward statement is made. “In the beginning wasthe Word.” The phrase en arche is timeless when used with a verb in the imperfect tense. TheGreek word for “was” (en) is the imperfect of eimi (to be or to exist). This phrase can be writtenas “When all things began, the Word already was” (New English Bible). The imperfect tensedenotes a continuous action or a past action. The context helps determine which is intended. Inthis case, connecting the term with the beginning simply states that whatever you call thebeginning, the Word was already in existence. It is another way of expressing eternity.The second phrase presents a relationship between the Word and the God (Theos). Here wehave the phrase pros ton Theon. This phrase is found 20 times in the New Testament and it is mostcommonly translated “toward God” or “to God,” but it is also translated “with God” and “againstGod.” A few examples of this phrase:John 13:3: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that Hehad come from God and was going to God [pros ton Theon].”Acts 4:24: “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God [pros ton Theon]…”Acts 12:5: “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God[pros ton Theon]…”Acts 24:16: “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offensetoward God [pros ton Theon] and men.”Romans 5:1: “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God [pros tonTheon] through our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Corinthians 3:4 “And we have such trust through Christ toward God [pros ton Theon].”Page 43September 2005© 2005 United Church of God, an International Association