John 1.1-4:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (ESV)
The New Testament word used here and translated “Word” is “logos”. It is part of the family of words related to the Greek word “lego”, which is translated with the verbal meaning “to speak”. This family of words covers a wide variety of meanings, which include counting, and gathering and using logic. But the primary translation of “lego” in the New Testament is with the meaning “to speak”. Accordingly, the primary translation of “logos” is “word”.
It has been noted by scholars that in the verses above, John identifies Jesus himself as “the Word”, who was in the beginning with God. Jesus the Word is fully God as is God the Father. The article in Gerhard Kittel’s “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament” defining lego and logos is instructive on this point. And furthermore, the Gospel of John connects Jesus the Word to the creation of the universe, which came about by the speaking of God, as set forth in chapter one of Genesis. John teaches us that God the Father’s creation of all things was carried out through Jesus the Word. Therefore, Jesus the Word created all things by speaking them into being. The authority of Jesus to speak and accomplish results in the world, which includes bringing about miracles and authority over nature, is affirmed as the ministry of Jesus on earth unfolds in the Gospel accounts.