2 The same was in the beginning with God.



Ver. 2. The same was in the beginning] In the instant of creation, as Gen_1:1, therefore also before the creation, therefore from eternity, Eph_1:4; 1Pe_1:10; Pro_8:22-23. {a} "The Lord possessed me" (saith Christ, the essential Wisdom of God there) "in the beginning of his way." Arius corrupted the Greek text, reading it thus, {b} "The Lord created me in the beginning," &c.; and therehence blasphemously inferred that Christ was no more than a creature. But he was "set up from everlasting from the beginning, or ever the earth was," Pro_8:23; Psa_45:6. {c} Hence he is called the "Ancient of days," Dan_7:9. And Thales, one of the seven Sages of Greece, styleth him, "The most ancient of anything that hath being," ðñåóâõôáôïí ôùí ïíôùí .



With God] Being alius another from his Father, not aliud; a distinct person, yet co-essential and co-eternal; for he was with him in the beginning of "the creature which God created," as himself speaketh, Mar_13:19.



{a} Hinc Iohannes augustum illud et magnificum Evangelis sui initium assumpsit. Mercer in loc.



{b} For åêôçóå in place of åêôéóå .



{c} Uncta sum in reginam et dominatricem oleo loetitiae. Psa_45:6.