How does John 1 describe the pre-existence of Christ?

John 1 is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the entire New Testament. The opening verses of the Gospel of John present a majestic and awe-inspiring introduction to the pre-existence of Christ, establishing His divine nature and eternal relationship with God the Father. This passage not only sets the stage for the entire Gospel but also provides a foundational understanding of who Jesus is in relation to God and creation.

The Gospel of John begins with the famous prologue:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:1-5, ESV).

These opening verses echo the very first words of the Bible in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." By paralleling this creation account, John emphasizes that the Word (Greek: Logos) existed before time itself, before the creation of the world. This Word is not a created being but is eternal, existing from the very beginning.

The term "Logos" was a powerful concept in both Jewish and Greek thought. For the Jews, the Word of God was an expression of divine power and wisdom. In the Hebrew Scriptures, God's Word was the agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), revelation (Jeremiah 1:4), and salvation (Isaiah 55:11). For the Greeks, Logos referred to reason or the principle of order in the universe. John masterfully bridges these cultural understandings to reveal that the Logos is not an abstract principle but a person—Jesus Christ.

John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word." This affirms the pre-existence of Christ. He did not come into existence at a point in time; rather, He has always existed. The phrase "was with God" indicates a distinct personhood and relationship. The Word was in intimate fellowship with God, yet John goes further to declare, "and the Word was God." This unequivocally affirms the deity of Christ. He is not merely divine or god-like; He is God.

In verse 3, John emphasizes the role of Christ in creation: "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made." This reinforces the idea that Christ is not a created being but the Creator Himself. Everything that exists owes its existence to Him. This aligns with other New Testament passages that speak of Christ's role in creation, such as Colossians 1:16-17, which says, "For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

John 1:4-5 introduces the themes of life and light: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." These verses highlight the life-giving and illuminating nature of Christ. As the source of all life, both physical and spiritual, Jesus brings light into a world darkened by sin. The imagery of light overcoming darkness is a powerful metaphor for the victory of Christ over sin and death.

The prologue continues with verses 6-8, introducing John the Baptist as a witness to the light. In verses 9-11, John contrasts the true light, which gives light to everyone, with the world's rejection of Him: "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him." Despite being the Creator and the source of all life and light, Jesus was not recognized or accepted by the very people He came to save.

Verses 12-13 provide a glimmer of hope: "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." This highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ. Those who receive Him and believe in His name are granted the privilege of becoming children of God, born of divine rather than human origin.

The climax of the prologue is found in verse 14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse encapsulates the mystery of the Incarnation. The eternal Word, who was with God and was God, took on human flesh and lived among us. The term "dwelt" (Greek: eskenosen) literally means "tabernacled" or "pitched His tent," evoking the imagery of God's presence with His people in the tabernacle during the Exodus (Exodus 25:8-9). In Jesus, God's presence is made manifest in a new and profound way.

John 1:15-18 further elaborates on the significance of the Incarnation. John the Baptist testifies to the pre-eminence of Christ, stating, "He who comes after me ranks before me, because He was before me" (v. 15). This once again underscores the pre-existence and superiority of Christ. Verses 16-17 contrast the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ with the law given through Moses: "For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." While the law revealed God's standards and highlighted human sinfulness, Jesus embodies and imparts the fullness of God's grace and truth.

The prologue concludes with a profound statement in verse 18: "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, He has made Him known." Jesus, the unique and only Son of God, reveals the Father to us. He is the ultimate revelation of God's nature and character, making the invisible God known to humanity.

The pre-existence of Christ, as described in John 1, is a cornerstone of Christian theology. It affirms that Jesus is not merely a historical figure or a great teacher but the eternal Word of God, co-equal with the Father, and the agent of creation. His Incarnation—God becoming flesh—demonstrates the depth of God's love and His desire to redeem and restore humanity.

In exploring the pre-existence of Christ, we also encounter the mystery of the Trinity. While the term "Trinity" is not explicitly used in Scripture, the concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons, yet one God. This profound mystery is hinted at in the relational language of John 1:1-2 and further developed throughout the New Testament.

Early church fathers, such as Athanasius and Augustine, wrote extensively on the pre-existence and divinity of Christ. Athanasius, in his work "On the Incarnation," defends the eternal nature of the Word and the necessity of the Incarnation for human salvation. Augustine, in his "Confessions," reflects on the eternal Word who "was made flesh and dwelt among us" and the transformative power of encountering Christ.

In conclusion, John 1 provides a breathtaking vision of the pre-existence of Christ. It reveals Him as the eternal Word, the Creator, the source of life and light, and the ultimate revelation of God. Through the Incarnation, the eternal Word entered into human history, bringing grace and truth, and offering us the opportunity to become children of God. This profound truth invites us to worship and adore the One who was, and is, and is to come—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.