This is a very important message for those who do not know God., page-329

The word of life with the Father.

In beginning was the Word and the Word was (ongoing, in progress, plan) = toward the God and God was the Word.
This; was in beginning (ongoing, in progress, plan) - toward the God.
Part of this word of life is shown to have been expressed by 1:3 and God said, and God said.

"This;" the ONLY word available, in no way is referring to a person being with The God, it's a logos/plan, still within God.

Now back to the life within him.
1:4 In Him (Father) life was = inner words of spirit and life, word of life and that life was the light of men = we are now talking of his expressed words of life, like in 1 John 1:1,2.
Light of men, the word of God, the word of life, that -> 1:9 enlightens EVERY man coming into the world, as back as far as and including Adam, Jesus carrying that light, the word of life, has not yet entered the scene.