What does John 1:1 mean by 'the same was in the beginning with God'?
The phrase means the Word—God the Son—was in the beginning with God, so the triune Godhead was complete and in absolute consensus. The Word was God, yet distinct as the communicator, and all things were made by Him. Jesus is just as much God as the Father or God the Spirit.
Les teaches that John 1:1 first states, “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” then repeats, “The same was in the beginning with God.” He explains this to mean the triune Godhead was complete and in absolute consensus about what they were going to do. Les stresses grammar and the meaning of “Word”: there had to be a person of the Godhead who would communicate with whatever creation was called out of. That Word is the communicator who spoke the power of creation. Looking ahead to Hebrews, Les says it is the Word, the Son of God, Christ, who has spoken—the Word of the very person of the Godhead who is the communicator, God the Son. So the verse shows Jesus is just as much God as the Father or God the Spirit.
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.'