Why is the Word capitalized in John 1:1?
In John 1:1, the Word is capitalized because it is a term of deity. It identifies the Word as a person of the triune Godhead, who was with God and was God from eternity past. The capitalization signals that this Word is not an ordinary word but the divine Creator.
Les explains that John's Gospel opens with the same language as Genesis: "In the beginning." In that beginning, the Word already was, and because it is capitalized, the term denotes deity. The Word is a person of the triune Godhead, existing with God from eternity past, and the Word was God. Les notes that some cults disagree, claiming Jesus was not God, but that contradicts the book.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
More Questions
Why does John 1:1 say 'in the beginning' rather than giving a date?
When John opens his Gospel, he deliberately uses the exact phrase 'in the beginning' that Moses used, not a date like '20 million years ago' or '10,000 years ago.'
Is the Word in John 1:1 a person or a force?
Les explains that John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, uses the same 'in the beginning' language as Moses in Genesis. In John 1:1, the capitalized 'Word' is a term of deity—a person of the triune Godhead who was with God from eternity past and was God. Les notes that some cults deny Jesus is God, but that denial flies in the face of the book.
Why is the Word in John 1:1 called the communicator?
The 'Word' in John 1:1 is God the communicator, because words are how we communicate.