In the Greek New Testament, it reads as follows:
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.
Now, let's break it down:
Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος (En archē ēn ho logos): "In the beginning was the Word."
Ἐν (En): "In"
ἀρχῇ (archē): "Beginning"
ἦν (ēn): "was"
ὁ λόγος (ho logos): "the Word"
This opening phrase establishes the eternal existence of the Word from the very beginning.
καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν (kai ho logos ēn pros ton theon): "And the Word was with God."
καὶ (kai): "And"
ὁ λόγος (ho logos): "the Word"
ἦν (ēn): "was"
πρὸς (pros): "with"
τὸν θεόν (ton theon): "God"
This part emphasizes the relational aspect of the Word being with God, indicating a close, intimate connection.
καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος (kai theos ēn ho logos): "And the Word was God."
καὶ (kai): "And"
θεὸς (theos): "God"
ἦν (ēn): "was"
ὁ λόγος (ho logos): "the Word"
This concluding statement affirms the divinity of the Word, identifying the Word (Jesus Christ) as God Himself.
In essence, John 1:1 presents a powerful theological statement about the pre-existence, relationship with God, and divine nature of Jesus Christ, the Word. This verse lays a foundational understanding of Christ's role in creation and His eternal existence as part of the Godhead.