Kermos
Well-Known Member
You make some good points and raise some interesting questions. While "pros" sometimes can be translated as "with," it's usual meaning indicates motion towards an object. It points to or refers to the object, in the case of John 1:1, it points to or refers to God.
The Greek in John 1:1 is, "pros ton theon" and the same phrase is found many times where it's translated as, "to God."
Abbott-Smith's Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, pros:
Of relation with accusative case (which is the case of "God" in John 1:1b.
(a) toward, with: Rom 5:1, 2Co 1:12, Col 4:5, 1Th 4:12, al.;
(b) with regard to: Mat 19:8, Mar 12:12, Rom 8:31, al.;
(c) pertaining to, to: Mat 27:4, Joh 21:22, Rom 15:17, Heb 2:17; Heb 5:1;
(d) according to: Luk 12:47, 2Co 5:10, Gal 2:14, Eph 3:4; Eph 4:14;
Here is a diagram that shows the general meaning of Greek prepositions. Note that "pros" is a line that goes "towards" the object. That's just how the grammar works. I didn't invent the Greek language. :)
The problem with translating it as "with" in John 1:1b is that it makes 2 people, i.e., one person with another makes 2 people. As I said before, solving that problem by introducing Greek philosophy (oousia, essence) is not a good solution. God is able to explain Himself without having to resort to Greek philosophy.
You think that the clause "the Word was with God" (John 1:1) indicates that there are two gods, so your spirit, by which you make your assertion, must be tested (1 John 4:1).
Let us consider the clause "the Word was with God" within the greater passage "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
The English word "with" in the clause "the Word was with God" is the Greek word "πρός" (Strong's Greek: 4314. πρός - pros - with (denotes integrally together/accompaniment), at (denotes local proximity), to (denotes motion toward), and even in some cases "against" (denotes going up in opposition) - biblehub.com/greek/4314.htm).
Since the Greek word "pros" syntactically denotes the English word "with" in John 1:1-5, then the next points are all true with each other.
- "The Word was with God" means that God is never without God's Word - the Word is never outside of being God, so the Word is God.
- Even deeper, "with" means "integrally together/accompaniment" (with) in the clause "the Word was with God" - the Word of God was "In the beginning" (John 1:1) while simultaneously the God Most High alone is "In the beginning" (Genesis 1:1), so the Word is God.
- Truly deeper into the language, "with" defines as "occupying the same locality with" (at) in the phrase "the Word was with God" - the Word was "In the beginning" (John 1:1) while exclusively YHWH God is "In the beginning" (Genesis 1:1), so the Word is God.
- Progressing even deeper, "the Word was with God" is inextricably conjoined by the logical conjunction "and" to the clause "the Word was God" - the Word created everything in the beginning (John 1:1-5) while simultaneous Truth is that God created everything in the beginning (Genesis 1:1-31), so the Word is God.
- Acknowledging even more, "with" means "progressing in unison toward the goal with" (to) in the clause "The Word was with God" - the goal of Creation is at hand for "all things came into being through" the Word (John 1:3) "in the beginning" (John 1:1) while simultaneously "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), so the Word is God.
In Spiritual Truth (John 14:6), "The Word was with God" means that the Word of God is intrinsically God, and the Word is inseparable from God.
In the beginning the Word was God who created all things (John 1:1-5).
See "never without" (1), "integrally together" (2), "occupying the same locality with" (3), "inextricably conjoined by the logical conjunction" (4), and "progressing in unison toward the goal with" (5).
"The Word is the One True God, YHWH" is the culminating conclusion of these marvelous points about John 1:1-5!
You failed to understand the greater Spiritual Truth (John 14:6) that Jesus the Word is the One True God within the John 1:1-5 passage, so your spirit's expression that the clause "the Word was with God" (John 1:1) indicates that there are two gods is not from God, so you are a false prophet (1 John 4:1).
Immanuel (Matthew 1:23 "God with us"), Jesus, is truly Almighty God, YHWH, with us (Revelation 1:8) (see see the Truth [John 14:6] that God had me compose in post #283 to expose the deception of tigger 2 and Rich R).