These are familiar words, but they are very deep and difficult to understand. Literally interpreted, they state that the "Word" existed from the beginning of all things, in the most remote time conceivable, before the creation of "all things," before any and every other "beginning," that is, eternity past. What form this original "Word" had we do not know except as it was subsequently revealed to us by the "Word" made flesh. That "Word" is not only an expression of God's will, but it is the embodiment of God Himself, for the "Word was God." Since the "Word was also with God, then there must be more than one expression of that "Word," which concurs with the biblical concept of the Trinity.
But it may not be proper to say that "God was the Word" since the two terms "Word" and "God" are not necessarily interchangeable, anymore than it would be proper to say that "love is God." The "Word" then can be said to be the ultimate expression of truth. Thus Jesus Christ was the corporeal representation of that "Truth." He came to reveal the Father to man, His character of love, and His plan for man's salvation. God chose to reveal the "Word" in human form so that man in his limited capacity might interface with it.
However, the incarnation is not the only way that "the word was made flesh," for we are told that-
"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." II Peter 1:21
So the "Word" was given to many men, called prophets, down through the centuries to convey God's will to men, and in a sense, the "Word" was thus made flesh. God speaks to us through His recorded word, the Bible (II Tim. 3:16,17), and indwells us in the person of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to hear His "Word."
The power resident in the Word of God, both spoken and written, is so great that the biblical writers almost exhausted their resources of vocabulary in trying to describe it, using varied figures of speech to illustrate its wonders. That "Word" produces and sustains life, it is a light (II Pet. 1:14), it is a sword (Eph. 6:17), it is a fire and hammer (Jer. 23:29). The word of God will not be silent for it is a burning fire in our souls.
God speaks the "Word" to all who will listen, and thus the "Word is made flesh."
