“In the beginning” does not point to a moment but to eternity itself, and the Word already exists there without origin. His eternal “was” distinguishes Him from all created things (Chrysostom, Hilary). He is the eternal Son, not made but always with God, sharing the same divine life and equal in the fullness of divinity (Augustine, Cyril). This “with” expresses a communion without beginning or change.

The Word is God’s own Wisdom and Power, inseparable from Him and perfectly expressing His inner life (Basil, Augustine). Just as a word reveals the hidden movement of thought, the eternal Word reveals the Father and manifests who God is (Origen). He is the divine Beginning in whom all things have their source.

“All things were made by Him” completes the thought: creation itself flows from the Word, and nothing has existence apart from His willing it (Hilary, Augustine). The contrast between “was” and “was made” marks the difference between the uncreated and the created. Everything that comes to be is from Him; therefore, He cannot belong to the class of things made.

Through this eternal Word, the unseen God becomes knowable, for He expresses the Father perfectly and makes Him known (Origen).