Beginning
Beginning
(, in the beginning, liter. ally at the head, Gen 1:1; Sept. and New Test. ), besides its ordinary import, was with the He. brews an idiomatic form of expression for eternity, q. d. originally. In this sense it is employed alike by Moses and (in its Greek form) by the evangelist John (Joh 1:1). SEE CREATION.
Our Lord is also emphatically styled the Beginning () both by Paul and John (Col 1:18; Rev 1:8; Rev 3:14), and it is worthy of remark that the Greek philosophers expressed the First Cause of all things by the same word. SEE LOGOS.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Beginning
be-gining (, re’-shth; , arche): The natural meaning of the word is with reference to time. The primitive Greek root means to be long, to draw out. Thus, it is used to refer to some point of time long drawn out, or long past (Gen 1:1). It is used also to express the inauguration of a particular event (Exo 12:2). The principal interest in the word centers in the use of it in Joh 1:1. It must be interpreted here by that which follows in the statement as to the relation of the Logos to the Eternal God and the use of the word was. It is true that the word , arche cannot be separated from the idea of time, but when time began He already was, and therefore He was from eternity. See TIME; ETERNITY.
Figurative: in a figurative sense it is used of that which is most excellent, the chief part (Pro 1:7); of the most eminent person (Col 1:18); the author (Rev 3:14).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Beginning
Besides the common use of this word in many connections, it is used in a special sense to carry the mind back into
a, eternity , when the Word was with God, and was God, by whom all things were made. Joh 1:1-3; Act 15:18 (which should read ‘from eternity’). Also to the eternity of Jehovah, ‘the beginning and the end.’ Rev 1:8; Rev 21:6; Rev 22:13.
b, The creation, whether it was creating out of nothing or forming the heavens and the earth Isa 64:4; Heb 1:10. Also the creation of man and woman. Mat 19:4; Mat 19:8; Mar 10:6.
c, The beginning of Christianity. Joh 15:27; Joh 16:4; 1Jn 1:1; 1Jn 3:11; 2Jn 1:5-6.
d, foundation or source , It is used also with a moral sense as a foundation or source, as in Col 1:18; Rev 3:14.