John 1:1

If I said "Go get my hat, it's over there with my cat. My hat is my cat." You would say "Stop talking nonsense. Your hat cannot be with your cat and be your cat".

But when it comes to holding a theological belief about God we don't have any qualms with a statement that is just as nonsensical. Now I am not saying the meaning of John 1:1 is nonsensical, just that the way it has been translated into English is nonsensical. I do not believe that John 1:1 is a clumbsy, poetic riddle about the Trinity. If YHVH wanted to have John explain a Trinity he would have had him write:

God (the father Son and Holy Spirit) was in the beginning and made all things.

John 1:1 is difficult. The best Translators cannot agree on how to translate it. Here are some examples of the ways different translators have tried to unravel what John had in mind:

The following were chosen from Anthony Buzzard's website, http://www.focusonthekingdom.org/610.htm#1 he has many more on his site.

William Tyndale 1534

"In the beginnynge was the worde, and the worde was with God, and the worde was god. The same was in the beginnynge with god. All thinges were made by it, and without it, was made nothinge that was made. In it was lyfe, and the lyfe was the lyght of men, and the lyght shyneth in the darcknes but the darcknes comprehended it not" (William Tyndale, The New Testament, 1534).

Great Bible 1539

"In the begynnynge was the worde, and the worde was wyth God; and God was the worde. The same was in the begynnyng wyth God. All thinges were made by it, and wythout it, was made nothynge that was made. In it was lyfe, and the lyfe was the lyght of men, and the lyght shyneth in darcknes, and the darcknes comprehended it not" (Great Bible, The Byble in Englyshe, that is to saye the Content of al the holy Scrypture, both of the olde, and newe Testament, London: Edward Whitchurche, 1539).

Geneva Bible 1560

"In the beginning was the Worde, and the Worde was with God and that Worde was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by it, and without it was made nothing that was made. In it was lif, and the lif was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkenes, and the darkenes comprehended it not" (Geneva Bible, The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament, Geneva: Rouland Hall, 1560).

Bishops' Bible 1568

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was that Word. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by it, and without it, was made nothing that was made. In it was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darknesse, and the darknesse comprehendeth it not" (Bishops' Bible, The Holie Bible, London: Richard Jugge, 1568).

Beza's Bible 1607

"In the beginning was that Word, and that Word was with God, and that Word was God. This same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by it, and without it was made nothing that was made. In it was life, and that life was the light of men. And that light shineth in the darknes, and the darknesse comprehended it not" (Lawrence Tomson, The New Testament of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Translated out of Greeke by Theod. Beza, London: Robert Barker, 1607).

Is the Logos an Person or a Thing?

From the beginning of English translations up unitl 1611 no translators thought the Logos was an actual person (Jesus). It was an it. The Catholics first made the it a him in their 17th Century translation and the King James translators followed suit. However you will see that many translators right up to our present day disagree and have translated the Logos as an it. The word Logos appears 330 times in the Greek text and is always translated as an it.

Samuel Buckley 1701

"Before the Creation of the World, Reason did exist, for Reason was then in God; indeed was God himself, it not being possible for God to be without it. Reason, I say, did exist in God before the Creation of the World, every portion of which was created with the greatest Reason; nor can any thing be produc'd that has been made without it. In this Reason alone, formerly resided the perfect Knowledg of the way that leads to everlasting Life; which it was impossible for men to find out otherways than as enlighten'd by this knowledg, made in some measure partakers of it, and under the guidance of it, as it had been a most glorious Light preceding, and pointing out the way they were to follow. But this Light has since been brought down to men, has shin'd among 'em many Years, and continues to direct the Ignorant in the way to Life, tho' most neglect the use of it, and chuse to wander on still in the darkness of their Ignorance" (John LeClerc, The Harmony of the Evangelists, London: Samuel Buckley, 1701).

Gilbert Wakefield, 1791

"In the beginning was Wisdom, and Wisdom was with God, and Wisdom was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by it, and without it was nothing made. What was made, had life in it, and this life was the light of men; and this light shineth in darkness, and the darkness hindered it not" (Gilbert Wakefield, A Translation of the New Testament, London: Philanthropic Press, 1791).

Alexander Campbell (Virginia) 1826

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This was in the beginning with God. All things were made by it, and without it not a single creature was made. In it was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shone in darkness; but the darkness admitted it not" (Alexander Campbell, The Sacred Writings of the Apostles and Evangelists of Jesus Christ, Commonly Styled the New Testament, Translated from the Original Greek, Buffaloe, Brooke County, VA: Alexander Campbell, 1826).

Nathaniel S. Folsom 1869

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. This was in the beginning with God. All things through it arose into being, and without it arose not even one thing which has arisen. In it is Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on, in the Darkness; and the Darkness did not apprehend it" (Nathaniel S. Folsom, The Four Gospels: Translated from the Greek Text of Tischendorf, Boston: A. Williams, 1869).

Fleming H. Revell, 1916)

"The Love Thought was the beginning. In the very beginning it was with the Father of Love and it was the Father of Love. All things were made by the Love Thought and without it was not anything made that ever was made. In it was Life and the Life was the Light of men. The Light shone in darkness and the darkness has never been able to overcome it, or even to comprehend it" (Dwight Goddard, The Good News of a Spiritual Realm, New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1916).

Arthur E. Overbury, 1925

"In original being the Word, or GOD-Idea existed; and the GOD-Idea existed in at-one-ment with GOD; and the GOD-Idea was GOD-manifest. The same existed in original being, at-one with GOD. All things came into being in this GOD-conception, and apart from it came not anything into being that came into being. In the GOD-Idea Life, GOD, was manifest, and Life, GOD, was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness; but the darkness comprehendeth it not" (Arthur E. Overbury, The People's New Testament (New Covenant) Scriptural Writings Translated from the Meta-Physical Standpoint, Monrovia, CA: Arthur E. Overbury, 1925).

Thomas Murby, 1934

"In the Beginning there existed the Divine Reason, and the Divine Reason was with God, and the Divine Reason was God. This Divine Reason at the Beginning was in closest relation with God. Through the Divine Reason all things came into being; and apart therefrom there was not brought into being even a single thing which has come to exist. In the Divine Reason there subsisted Life; and that Life was the spiritual Light of mankind. And the Light shone, and still shines, in the spiritual Darkness, and the Darkness has not overpowered it" (G.W. Wade, The Documents of the New Testament Translated and Historically Arranged with Critical Introductions, London: Thomas Murby, 1934).

Burns Oates and Washbourne, 1949

"First there was the Thought, and the Thought was in God; the Thought was God. He was in God from the first. It was through him that everything came into being; not one thing came into being without him. As for that which has come into being in union with him, it was life, and that life was the Light of mankind. The Light is shining in the darkness and the darkness does not overpower it" (F.R. Hoare, A Translation from the Greek into Current English of the Gospel According to John, Arranged in its Conjectured Original Order, London: Burns Oates and Washbourne, 1949).

William Barclay 1969

"When the world began, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the nature of the Word was the same as the nature of God. The Word was there in the beginning with God. It was through the agency of the Word that everything else came into being. Without the Word not one single thing came into being. As for the whole creation, the Word was the life principle in it, and that life was the light of men. The light continues to shine in the darkness, and the darkness has never extinguished it" (William Barclay, The New Testament: A New Translation. London: Collins, 1969).

Clarence Jordan 1970

"When time began, the Idea already was. The Idea was at home with God, and the Idea and God were one. This same Idea was at home with God when time began. Through him the universe was made, and apart from him not one thing came to be. In him was life, and the life was humanity's light. And the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness never quenched it" (Clarence Jordan, The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John, New Win, AL: Association Press, 1970).

Dick Williams and Frank Shaw 1977

"Before God did owt else e ad summat ter say. It wus is last werd. Ony it come first. An it summed up is ole attitude to evrything. Now dis werd wus wid God. Fact it wus part'n parcil uv im. So at start uv evrythink an a long time fore man was akshully made, God's werd to men wus ready an waitin. Evrythink there is wus made by this werd. E wus God's one an ony contractor for de ole Universe job. Nowt at all was ever got made sept through this d'partm'nt uv God, wot we call is 'werd.' Now just becus dis werd is part uv God isself, all God's life is in im. An dis life is de light what shines on evrybody. Dis is de light wot evrybody needs. So one day dis light come an shone in de dark around ere. An it proved summat fer keeps. Dare just isn't enough darkness in de world ter put it out" (Dick Williams and Frank Shaw, The Gospels in Scouse, London: White Lion, 1977).

House of Yahweh, 1987

"In the beginning was the plan of Yahweh, and the plan was with Yahweh, and the plan was Yahweh's. The same plan was in the beginning with Yahweh. All things were done according to it, and without it nothing was done, that was done. In this plan was life, and that life was the light to mankind. Now that light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not take hold of it" (Yisrayl Hawkins, The Book of Yahweh: The Holy Scriptures, Abilene: House of Yahweh, 1987).

Andy Gaus 1999

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was toward God, and God was what the Word was. It was with God in the beginning. All things happened through it, and not one thing that has happened, happened without it. Within it there was Life, and the Life was the light of the world. And in the darkness the light is shining, and the darkness never got hold of it" (Andy Gaus, The Unvarnished New Testament, Grand Rapids: Phanes Press, 1991).

Robert J. Miller 1992

"In the beginning there was the divine word and wisdom. The divine word and wisdom was there with God, and itwas what God was. It was there with God, from the beginning. Everything came to be by means of it; nothing that exists came to be without its agency. In it was life, and this life was the light of humanity. Light was shining in darkness, and darkness did not master it" (Robert J. Miller, The Complete Gospels: Annotated Scholars Version, Sonoma, CA: Polebridge Press, 1992).

Robert W. Funk 1993

"In the beginning there was the divine word and wisdom. The divine word and wisdom was there with God, and it was what God was. It was there with God from the beginning. Everything came to be by means of it; nothing that exists came to be without its agency. In it was life, and this life was the light of humanity. Light was shining in darkness, and darkness did not master it" (Robert W. Funk, The Five Gospels: The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus, New York: Macmillan, 1993).

Frank Daniels 1996

"In the beginning was the message, and the message was directed toward God, and 'God' the message was. The same one was directed toward God in the beginning. Through it, all things were done. And without it nothing was done. What has been done in it was life. And the life was the Light of humanity. And the light shone in the darkness. But the darkness did not understand it"
B.E. Junkins 2002

"Nothing but God, and all that He means, existed in the beginning of absolutely everything. There was no possible way to separate God from His meaning, for only by His meaning can He be identified as God. God's intentions and purposes existed with Him from the very beginning of everything. God, through His intentions and purposes, created everything that has, or has had, existence in all of time. The essence and meaning of life, itself, was in God, and in all that He means and intends. Out of all that makes Him God, and gives Him meaning, came the gift of enlightenment to the human beings that He created. Into the lonely world, where God had never shown Himself to His creation, He projected Himself in human form, to be the light to humanity that no one could extinguish" (B.E. Junkins, A Fresh Parenthetical Version of the New Testament, New York: University Press of America, 2002).

How 99% of Christians actually translate it and amplify it in thier minds since the 4th Century AD:



"In the beginning was God the Son, Jesus. God the Son, Jesus was with God (the other two persons, God the Holy Spirit and God the Father, Yahweh) in the beginning. God the Son , Jesus was God (the Holy Spirit and God the Father, Yahweh). All thing were made by God the son, Jesus (who is actually God the Holy Spirit and God the Father, Yahweh, because even though they are three persons, they are only one God). The Son of God Jesus was in the beginning with himself. All things were created by God the son, Jesus who was with himself, God the Holy Spirit and God the Father, Yahveh - one being' with one essence, and no distinction between persons, that is three persons, but really only one person, and not three manifestations of God, three coequal persons in one being who loves himself perfectly as a family of one, but three, but not three.

Allon Maxwell, of Australia , says anything you can't explain to a 12 year old child about the Gospel can't be from Yahweh

Here's my translation (a dynamic equivalency meaning a thought by thought translation like the NIV):

John 1:1-14a

At a council was Wisdom, the architect/ambassador/mediator/logos/Wisdom angel. It was with the supreme Elohim -El Shaddai and the Wisdom angel was El Shaddai's first created elohim -the Architect.

Joh 1.2 Wisdom the architect angel/logos was at the council beside El Shaddai.

Joh 1:3 El Shaddai made all things by Wisdom his architect angel/ and without it nothing came into existence. Joh 1:4 Wisdom the architect angel was the conduit for eternal Life to enter the creation and this eternal life brought light to the gloomy humans.

Joh 1:5 To this day the eternal Light still shines in the gloom and the gloomy humans have never been able to extinguish it.

Joh 1:6 El Shaddai appointed a man named John to be his human Elohim (ambassador, messenger, High priest, spokesman, oracle, Torah teacher, prophet, ruler).

Joh 1:7 John's mission was to teach everyone about the eternal light and turn them to the light.

Joh 1:8 John was not the eternal life-giving/light, but was to explain how the eternal /light gives eternal Life.

Joh 1:9 John's mission was to show how that eternal life/light was for everyone who was, or would be, born.

Joh 1:10 The Wisdom architect angel/logos was participating in the world, but alas even though it was the architect of the world, most people rejected it.

Joh 1:11 It came to the very people that it had created and they rejected it.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him/the Angel of El Shaddai's Presence, to them gave it the right to become B'nai Elohim ( human children of El Shaddai) even to them that believe on El Shaddai's name: for they knew El Shaddai's name/power was in it. Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of El Shaddai shall be delivered/saved:

Joh 1:13 Becoming a child of El Shadddai (a second birth) is not a physical birth of flesh and blood. It is the Father El Shaddai himself through the conduit of the Wisdom architect angel/logos who births them by his eternal/life/light transforming them inwardly from humans to B'nai Elohim. Children of El Shaddai -children of light, angel like humans with powers.

Before we translate this next verse, we need to look at how John set up his grammatical structure:
Joh 110 kosmos egeneto The world it made
Joh 1:13 panta egeneto all things all things it made
Joh 1:14 sarx egeneto flesh/humanity it made


The Wisdom architect angel/logos made all things including sarx (humans)

Joh 1:14a And the Wisdom architect angel/logos who made humans came and dwelt in one of those humans (Jesus). It tented among us. Jesus's body was its tent/tabernacle/temple.