Chapter 1:1-5 The Deity of Christ

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
In the beginning — That is, before any thing was formed - ere God began the great work of creation. This is the meaning of the word in Genesis 1:1, to which the evangelist evidently alludes.

Eternity is usually expressed by being before the foundation of the world. The eternity of God is so described (Ps. 90:2).

His co-existence with the Father: 

---The Word was with God, 

---and the Word was God.

1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
This phrase fully proves, in the mouth of an inspired writer, that Jesus Christ was no part of the creation, as he existed when no part of that existed; 

1:3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

....and that consequently he is no creature, as all created nature was formed by Him: for without Him was nothing made that is made, Now, as what was before creation must be eternal, and as what gave being to all things, could not have borrowed or derived its being from any thing, therefore Jesus, who was before all things and who made all things, must necessarily be the ETERNAL God.

He that hung upon the cross was the Maker of all worlds. 

He that came as an infant, for our sake, was the Infinite. 

How low he stooped! 

1:4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.

In Him was life;
Essentially, Eternally.

Reasonable creatures have their light from Him; that life which is the light of men comes from Him. 

**Life in man is something greater and nobler than it is in other creatures; 

---it is rational, 

---and not merely animal.
1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

And the light shineth in darkness — By darkness here may be understood:
1. The heathen world, Ephesians 5:8.
2. The Jewish people.
3. The fallen spirit of man.
Comprehended it not. — αυτο ου κατελαβεν, Prevented it not-hindered it not, says Mr. Wakefield, who adds the following judicious note:-"Even in the midst of that darkness of ignorance and idolatry which overspread the world, this light of Divine wisdom was not totally eclipsed: the Jewish nation was a lamp perpetually shining to the surrounding nations; and many bright luminaries, among the heathen, were never wanting in just and worthy notions of the attributes and providence of God's wisdom; which enabled them to shine in some degree, though but as lights in a dark place, 2 Peter 1:19. Compare Acts 14:17; Acts 17:28-29."