Berean Standard Bible
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
2He was with God in the beginning.
The Pioneer Translation RenderingRendered from the original Greek
John 1:2
The Word Was With God
He was in the beginning with God.
The pronoun *houtos* ("this one" or "he") refers back to the Word established in verse 1, maintaining the distinction between the Word and God (*ton theon*). The preposition *pros* carries a sense of active orientation or face-to-face relation — the Word was *with* God, not identical to God — preserving the sender/sent distinction foundational to this Gospel.
Compare the wording
The same verse across the licensed translations and the Greek
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King James Version
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
2The same was in the beginning with God.
Goodspeed New Testament
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
2It was he that was with God in the beginning.
Translation for Translators
T4T was designed as a tool for Bible translators, not as a devotional text. It makes implicit meaning explicit and flags figurative language with abbreviations. Gold [brackets] indicate translation notes. ◄Triangles► mark alternative renderings.Read more about how to read T4T →BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
2He always existed with God before he began [MTY]MetonymyOne thing represents another — for example "hand" representing power or authority. T4T makes this explicit so translators can find a natural equivalent. to create anything.
Berean Standard Bible
Goodspeed New Testament
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
2
He was with God in the beginning.
It was he that was with God in the beginning.
Berean Standard Bible
Goodspeed New Testament
King James Version
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
2
He was with God in the beginning.
It was he that was with God in the beginning.
The same was in the beginning with God.
SBL
Greek, word by word
2
οὗτος this οὗτος hoûtos from the article G3588 (ὁ) and G846 (αὐτός); the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) he (it ἦν was εἰμί eimí the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when ἐν in ἐν en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (mediall ἀρχῇ beginning ἀρχή archḗ from G756 (ἄρχομαι); (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, πρὸς with πρός prós a strengthened form of G4253 (πρό); a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the sid τὸν the ὁ ho the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) the, this, that, one, he, she, θεόν God θεός theós a deity, especially (with G3588 (ὁ)) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very X exceeding, Go .
He was with God in the beginning.
Functional Faith Reading
The Greek here reads simply: houtos ēn en archē pros ton theon — "this one was in the beginning with God." The preposition pros carries relational force, suggesting a face-to-face orientation, a distinct presence before the Father, not absorption into him.
Most readings treat this verse as a compressed statement of co-eternity, assuming that "in the beginning" must mean before all creation, outside of time. That assumption is imported from later creedal frameworks rather than drawn from the grammar itself.
The Functional Faith reading sees something more grounded and more astonishing: the Father's firstborn was already present and active when the age we know began. He was with the Father — distinct from him, oriented toward him — as the supreme agent is oriented toward the one who sent him. This is not sameness of essence; it is closeness of relationship. The Pioneer was there at the start, not as an equal throne-sharer, but as the Father's beloved and supreme instrument.
For those walking the Way, this matters practically: the Pattern you are following was not invented after the fact. It was embedded in the order of things from the very beginning by the Father himself.
Sit with this
What does it mean for your daily choices that the Pattern you are called to follow was present before your world took shape?
Sources
- Berean Standard BibleLicense
- King James VersionLicense
- Goodspeed New TestamentLicense
- Translation for TranslatorsLicense
SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)License
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
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