In the Beginning was the Word.................

John 1:1 is a beautiful verse! Much has been written about it and 'extrapolated' from it. Actually it is quite simple:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

God is the Word. The Word is what God is and the Word is life-giving and powerful, healing and ultimately separates truth from error. The Bible contains records written down by men who loved and saw God operate in their lives. God is spirit (John 4:24) and that is how God communicates to man:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) (2 Peter 1:20)

We don't have original texts. The Bible, its versions, translations, translations of translations contain the Word of God but also may contain biases, slants, interpretations of God's heart. God has protected His Word for anyone who wants to know and error can be routed out and truth gotten to. (Just look at all of God's works; surely He can protect His Word.)

Think about who wrote down the books that are contained in the Bible. Holy men like Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, John and Peter. These men spoke by revelation from God and it was written down. Paul doesn't contradict Moses, nor does Peter contradict Jeremiah.

It is easy to splice out a verse and in standing it up alone change the meaning of it. Context is very important. An example of this is Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

This verse could mean a lot of things when taken alone, but nestled in the book of Philippians, its true meaning is clear. I had an interesting time studying Galatians 6 this weekend. Galatians is not a long book, so reading it in one gulp is not hard. Galatians 6 makes so much sense in context.

Biases from translations can be eliminated by taking in and regarding the whole context of the Word of God. This takes some effort, time, some diligence and love for the truth.

John 1:1 re-emphasizes the context of the Word of God. It was in the beginning. God is faithful to His Word. This is so simple and, actually, it is quite an adventure!