In the beginning was the word....

[tigercub]

I've been having this discussion with a friend this morning (more of a debate really)

Mostly about the following verse;

John 1
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

Now my beautiful friend is of the opinion that 'the word' is the same as 'the Bible' Whereas I cannot make this connection in my mind. I think the Bible documents events and times that happened long after 'the beginning'...so how can the Bible be around in 'the beginning' and plus it says; He was with God in the Beginning, so...Jesus?

So for all those who may be able to offer insight, what does 'the word' refer to exactly?

 

[cCensor]

I've been having this discussion with a friend this morning (more of a debate really)

Mostly about the following verse;

John 1
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

Now my beautiful friend is of the opinion that 'the word' is the same as 'the Bible' Whereas I cannot make this connection in my mind. I think the Bible documents events and times that happened long after 'the beginning'...so how can the Bible be around in 'the beginning' and plus it says; He was with God in the Beginning, so...Jesus?

So for all those who may be able to offer insight, what does 'the word' refer to exactly?

The Word who was in the beginning is Jesus.


With respect....Censor

 

[tigercub]

Sort of what I thought. Thanks Censor.

 

[drich0150]

This "Word" is just another name for Jesus, and remember "The Word" is also sharper than any two edged sword...

 

[tigercub]

Thank you. I have been speaking to another friend, and he has led me to research the Greek word; logos (which is translated to 'word' in the verse I mentioned) and so on.

It seems John 1:1 is very important to those who wish to prove the existence of the holy trinity. That, among other things I've been reading, make John 1:1 one very interesting verse

 

[cyberlizard]

you need to research terms like , mamre, debar, targums.... alternatively PM your email address and I will do for you what I have done for others.... which is send you a pdf file on this subject which should really open the intro to john's epistle up for you.


Steve

p.s. by the Word (debar) of YHVH the world was made.....

 

[Simonline]

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[Simonline]

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[Simonline]

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[cyberlizard]

i am just glad i interpret this passage (John 1) according to a targumic understanding. It helps me handle the one-ness of God easily.

 

[Simonline]

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[MrPolo]

The "Word" is Jesus Christ, the 2nd person of the Trinity. Don't forget to read ahead to John 1:14...

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.​

He has always been since the beginning, just as all 3 persons of the Trinity. He manifested Himself in time back in the 1st century.

The Bible can be called the Word of God, since it contains revelation from the Father, and as such truth (Jn 14:6), it is Jesus in a sense.

 

[cyberlizard]

How about according to Biblical understanding since the Scriptures are their own best commentary (surely using God's own Divine Revelation to interpret itself is better than using the writings of sinful humans to try and interpret Divine Revelation)?

Simonline.

ahh the joy of interpreting the scriptures devoid of social, historical and cultural context..... it is moves like this that lead to false teaching and even heresy.

some regarded the targums as scripture.... especially when they came out from babylon.

the targums and the aramaic understanding of the 'word of YHVH' who created all things is the key to unlocking this verse.


Steve

 

[cyberlizard]

How about according to Biblical understanding since the Scriptures are their own best commentary (surely using God's own Divine Revelation to interpret itself is better than using the writings of sinful humans to try and interpret Divine Revelation)?

Simonline.

i also take it by the same token that you do not accept the validity of the septuagint (as that to is the writing of sinful men.) - merely the work of translators with obvious differences from the hebrew texts.


Steve

p.s. if you do not accept the Septuagint (a translation made by sinners) as authoritative you will have to get rid of the book of Hebrews just for starters.

 

[ConqueredbyLove]

It seems John 1:1 is very important to those who wish to prove the existence of the holy trinity. That, among other things I've been reading, make John 1:1 one very interesting verse

Ah...Yes! I got saved reading that verse!

 

[ConqueredbyLove]

For 'Word' also read 'Truth'. The Word is Truth (Jn.1:1, 14; Jn.14:6; Jn.17:17; 1Jn.4:1-3) and Truth can (and does) manifest in many different ways (Heb.1:1). .

Can't wait to do that study tomorrow morning....

Now, how does this verse fit into the discussion?

~And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God~
Revelation 19:13​

The word "Word" here is the same one used in John 1:1 (Logos)​