What is the context?
The Gospel opens before the story of Jesus’ public ministry, at the beginning of creation itself. The Word already exists, is with God and is God. Everything that comes into being is made through Him.
The Greek word is λόγος, logos (LOH-goss). In ordinary use it can mean a word or what someone says. Here the Gospel speaks of Someone who is with God and through whom all things are made. The opening later identifies Him as the Son who becomes flesh and makes the Father known. (Thayer, Greek 3056; John 1:14–18)
Life is in Him, and that life is the light of humanity. The BSB describes the Light shining in darkness and the darkness failing to overcome it. These images introduce the life, revelation and opposition that will unfold through the Gospel.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Historic Christian readings understand the Word as the eternal Son, truly God and distinct from the Father. The Catholic Catechism, Westminster and Methodist Articles share that central understanding of the Son’s divine identity. (Catechism §§464–469; Westminster Confession 8.2; Methodist Articles I–II)
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Genesis opens with God creating the heavens and earth and calling light into darkness. The opening of John deliberately brings creation, life and light together around the Word. Paul makes a related connection explicit when he describes the God who called light out of darkness shining in people’s hearts so they know His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. This is a supported connection between creation and the new life and knowledge God gives through Christ. (Genesis 1:1–5; 2 Corinthians 4:3–6)
Colossians also holds together the Son’s work in creation and His saving work: all things are created through Him and for Him, and reconciliation comes through the blood of His cross. The One who gives life to creation is central to God’s purpose to bring His creation back into peace with Him. (Colossians 1:15–20)
What is our position?
Our study Prayer and Faith identifies the Word in John 1:1, 14 with Jesus Christ. It uses that identification when explaining the relationship between Jesus as the Word and His teaching about the bread of life.