“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:1–3).

It is remarkable how many names and titles are associated with Jesus Christ (meaning “Anointed Savior”) in the first chapter of John’s gospel. In verse 9, He is called “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh unto the world.” He is “the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” in verse 14 and “the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father” in verse 18. John the Baptist called Him “the Lord” in verse 23; “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” in verse 29; and “the Son of God,” in verse 34. The disciples then called Him “Master” in verse 38 and “Messiah” in verse 41, as well as “Jesus of Nazareth” in verse 45. Nathaniel acknowledged Him as “King of Israel” in verse 49, and Jesus called Himself “the Son of man” in verse 51.

But the very first title ascribed to Him by John, as he introduced his gospel, was simply “the Word” (v.1), from a word hard to translate in its fullness. In the New Testament, it is rendered by “word,” “reason,” “communication,” “doctrine,” “speech,” and many others. With reference to Christ, it tells us that He is always the one who reveals, speaks for, manifests, explains, and incarnates the Heavenly Father.

John 1:1 even takes us back before Genesis 1:1, where we learn that the pre-incarnate Christ created all things (note Colossians 1:16). “In the beginning,” He was, before He created! And all things were made by Him. “By the word of the Lord” were the heavens made; “and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:6).

As the eternal, omnipotent Word of God, the pre-incarnate Christ spoke all things into being. Jesus Christ is the Word; and the Word is God! HMM