Beginning With God

His co-existence with the Father: The Word was with God, and the Word was God. Let none say that when we invite them to Christ we would draw them from God, for Christ is with God and is God it is repeated in John 1:2: the same, the very same that we believe in and preach, was in the beginning with God, that is, he was so from eternity. In the beginning the world was from God, as it was created by him but the Word was with God, as ever with him. The Word was with God.

In respect of essence and substance for the Word was God: a distinct person or substance, for he was with God and yet the same in substance, for he was God, Hebrews 1:3.

In respect of complacency and felicity. There was a glory and happiness which Christ had with God before the world was (John 17:5), the Son infinitely happy in the enjoyment of his Father's bosom, and no less the Father's delight, the Son of his love, Proverbs 8:30.

In respect of counsel and design. The mystery of man's redemption by this Word incarnate was hid in God before all worlds, Ephesians 3:9. He that undertook to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18) was himself from eternity with God so that this grand affair of man's reconciliation to God was concerted between the Father and Son from eternity, and they understand one another perfectly well in it, Zechariah 6:13; Matthew 11:27. He was by him as one brought up with him for this service, Proverbs 8:30. He was with God, and therefore is said to come forth from the Father. - Matthew Henry