THAT question has to be considered when Bible translators handle the first verse of the Gospel of John. In the New World Translation, the verse is rendered: “In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.” (John 1:1) Some other translations render the last part of the verse to convey the thought that the Word was “divine,” or something similar. (A New Translation of the Bible, by James Moffatt; The New English Bible) Many translations, however, render the last part of John 1:1: “And the Word was God.”—The Holy Bible—New International Version; The Jerusalem Bible.

Greek grammar and the context strongly indicate that the New World Translation rendering is correct and that “the Word” should not be identified as the “God” referred to earlier in the verse. Nevertheless, the fact that the Greek language of the first century did not have an indefinite article (“a” or “an”) leaves the matter open to question in some minds. It is for this reason that a Bible translation in a language that was spoken in the earliest centuries of our Common Era is very interesting.

The language is the Sahidic dialect of Coptic. The Coptic language was spoken in Egypt in the centuries immediately following Jesus’ earthly ministry, and the Sahidic dialect was an early literary form of the language. Regarding the earliest Coptic translations of the Bible, The Anchor Bible Dictionary says: “Since the [Septuagint] and the [Christian Greek Scriptures] were being translated into Coptic during the 3d century C.E., the Coptic version is based on [Greek manuscripts] which are significantly older than the vast majority of extant witnesses.”

The Sahidic Coptic text is especially interesting for two reasons. First, as indicated above, it reflects an understanding of Scripture dating from before the fourth century, which was when the Trinity became official doctrine. Second, Coptic grammar is relatively close to English grammar in one important aspect. The earliest translations of the Christian Greek Scriptures were into Syriac, Latin, and Coptic. Syriac and Latin, like the Greek of those days, do not have an indefinite article. Coptic, however, does. Moreover, scholar Thomas O. Lambdin, in his work Introduction to Sahidic Coptic, says: “The use of the Coptic articles, both definite and indefinite, corresponds closely to the use of the articles in English.”

Hence, the Coptic translation supplies interesting evidence as to how John 1:1 would have been understood back then. What do we find? The Sahidic Coptic translation uses an indefinite article with the word “god” in the final part of John 1:1. Thus, when rendered into modern English, the translation reads: “And the Word was a god.” Evidently, those ancient translators realized that John’s words recorded at John 1:1 did not mean that Jesus was to be identified as Almighty God. The Word was a god, not Almighty God.

King James translation John 1:1 " In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. " The devil is attacking the Church and he's using Bibles to do it

what do you mean by that?

danvon:
King James translation John 1:1 " In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. " The devil is attacking the Church and he's using Bibles to do it

lovingJehovah:
what do you mean by that?

So it's even you again!! using fake Bibles Again!!! You already know what I mean

That is an irreverent comment to make. Can you explain yourself properly?

danvon:
So it's even you again!! using fake Bibles Again!!! You already know what I mean

Lolz then how many gods have you

John 17:3 Jesus said ONE TRUE GOD

Ferisidowu:
Lolz then how many gods have you

lovingJehovah:
John 17:3 Jesus said ONE TRUE GOD

then where do you put that "a god"?? What do you think of him

I Corinthians 8:5-6 says even though there are gods in heaven and on earth but to us(Jesus, First century Christians and Jehovah's witnesses)
there is ONLY ONE TRUE GOD

Ferisidowu:
then where do you put that "a god"?? What do you think of him

lovingJehovah:
I Corinthians 8:5-6 says even though there are gods in heaven and on earth but to us(Jesus, First century Christians and Jehovah's witnesses)
there is ONLY ONE TRUE GOD

Lolz so who's that "a god " to .. Why were we informed about him... Is Satan also a god ?? And other angels??

You were informed to know for your salvation. Satan is referred to as a god 2 Corinthians 4:4. Your belle is also referred to as god Philippians 3:19. Idols are also referred to as gods Deuteronomy 4:28. Satan and his cohorts are angels. Angels are also gods Corinthians 11:14

Ferisidowu:

Lolz so who's that "a god " to .. Why were we informed about him... Is Satan also a god ?? And other angels??

lovingJehovah:
You were informed to know for your salvation. Satan is referred to as a god 2 Corinthians 4:4. Your belle is also referred to as god Philippians 3:19. Idols are also referred to as gods Deuteronomy 4:28. Satan and his cohorts are angels. Angels are also gods Corinthians 11:14

Lolz so they are the same as that "a god" ryt?

What do I think of a god? According to the book of John 1;1 it went on to state more information concerning the god and it clearly mentions Jesus' name

Ferisidowu:
then where do you put that "a god"?? What do you think of him

In as much as I don't agree completely with the OP, especially where you rendered "God" to "a god", it is not false teaching to agree that there are many Gods or gods in heaven or earth but to us there is ONE TRUE GOD. Knowing there is one true God. Either God with 'G' or 'g' does not really matter.

And also was Paul talking about false god's or true god's and I think the Bible says you shall have no gods beside me in Exodus. ... So would the God that gave that instruction introduce us to another god

There are nouns following the verses that will help you identify which is referred accordinly. For example John 1;1 went on to explain further and Jesus was mentioned. The other talks about the god OF THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS etc. So, the Bible provides clear proof to befit the particular person in question

Ferisidowu:

Lolz so they are the same as that "a god" ryt?

lovingJehovah:
What do I think of a god? According to the book of John 1;1 it went on to state more information concerning the god and it clearly mentions Jesus' name

beautiful .. Was the scriptures inspired writing If yes in exodus God said you shall have no gods beside me ryt
And when Paul was talking about many gods of the heathens were those gods given to the heathens by the holy spirit ? Were they true gods ?
Now this" a god" was he a false god like that of the heathens ??
Why will the holy spirit inspire such a writing to give us" a god " when he says that God made the earth and there was no one with him ... That he made the earth ALONE

I do not know from what Bible translation you are quoting but since you have the best one, I would like to bring you back again to 1 Corinthians 8:6. Though there are many gods, to us(Jesus, The First century Christians and Jehovah's witnesses) we HAVE only ONE GOD, Jehovah.

If he is a false god? The Bible says there are many gods in heaven and on earth. But to us there is One God, the one that Jesus himself called the ONLY TRUE GOD

why the Holy Spirit inspired? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God.

If there is no one besides him? True! In English, there is a difference between besides and beside. There is no one besides Jehovah but there is Jesus beside him.
Proverbs 8:30 Jesus said that he was a master worker by his side. 1 Corinthians 8:6 Everything came FROM JEHOVAH.

Let me ask you, If someone says "I built my house in 2016", does it literally mean that he laid the blocks and installed the wiring? No! The idea to build came from him, he provided the fund and the professionals built. When someone asks, who built this house? The answer is generally the name of the owner. He may be generous enough to tell you the person who engineered the project.

Ferisidowu:
beautiful .. Was the scriptures inspired writing If yes in exodus God said you shall have no gods beside me ryt
And when Paul was talking about many gods of the heathens were those gods given to the heathens by the holy spirit ? Were they true gods ?
Now this" a god" was he a false god like that of the heathens ??
Why will the holy spirit inspire such a writing to give us" a god " when he says that God made the earth and there was no one with him ... That he made the earth ALONE