Donate via DonorboxAfter coming to the understanding that the holy spirit isn’t a separate “person” or spirit to God’s holy spirit, many folk slide right into “oneness”, collapsing the Father and the Son. However, there are clear distinctions between the two, not only when Jesus was on earth, but also when Jesus was with the Father at the beginning, and when he will hand all things back to him at the end.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2 KJV)
Then [cometh] the end, when he [Jesus, KM] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. [27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. [28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [the Father KM] that put all things under him [Jesus, KM], that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28 KJV)
A Study of 1 Corinthians 8:6
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the Father with the Son.
yet for us [there is] one God, the Father, of (G1537) whom [are] all things, and we for (G1519) Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through (G1223) whom [are] all things, and through (G1223) whom we [live]. (1 Corinthians 8:6 NKJV)
yet for us there is one God, the Father, from (G1537) whom are all things and for (G1519) whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through (G1223) whom are all things and through (G1223) whom we exist. (1 Corinthians 8:6 ESV)
The prepositions in this sentence are important. Let’s look at the Greek:
αλλ᾽ ημιν εις Θεος ο πατηρ, εξ (G1537) ου τα παντα και ημεις εις αυτον, και εις (G1519) Κυριος Ιησους Χριστος, δι᾽ (G1223) ου τα παντα και ημεις δι᾽ (G1223) αυτου. (Προς Κορινθιους Α 8:6 BYZ)
The CWSD entries are extensive and much more helpful than either Strong’s or Thayer’s. Thus, for reason of brevity, here are the relevant parts of each entry.
ἐκ (G1537)
ek; before a vowel, ex. Prep. governing the gen., primarily meaning out of, from, of, as spoken of such objects which were before in another. However, apó (G575), of or from, is used of such objects as before were on, by or with another, but are now separated from it, i.e., they are not in it, to which ek corresponds. If something is in something else, then the separation from it is expressed with ek, out of, while if it is near it, on it, with it, then apó is used. Ek is used either in respect of place, time, source, or origin. It is the direct opposite of eis (G1519), into or in.
- Of the origin or source of anything, i.e., the primary, direct, immediate source
- Of the efficient cause or agent, that from which any action or thing proceeds, is produced or effected
The relevant part of the verse containing ἐκ is: “one God, the Father, from (ἐκ, G1537) whom are all things”. This shows the Father is the source of all things, that all things were previously in him before they came out from him.
εις (G1519) CWSD
eis; prep. governing the acc. with the primary idea of motion into any place or thing; also of motion or direction to, toward or upon any place, thing. The antithesis is expressed by ek (G1537), out of.
- Figuratively as marking the object or point to or toward which anything ends.
- Spoken of an intention, purpose, aim, end; eis final.
The next part of the verse contains the preposition εις: “and we for (εις, G1519) Him”. As motion is key to the definition of εις, moving toward something rather than proceeding from it, this shows that the Father created us to return to him, the one from whom we came forth.
δι᾽ (G1223) CWSD
diá; prep., governing the gen. and acc. Through, throughout.
- With the gen. meaning of through:
- Of the instrument or intermediate cause; that which intervenes between the act of the will and the effect, and through which the effect proceeds, meaning through, by, by means of.
The second half of this verse includes two instances of the preposition δι᾽: “and one Lord Jesus Christ, through (G1223) whom [are] all things, and through (G1223) whom we [live]”. Thus, Jesus is the channel through whom the Father created all things, and the channel through whom we have true life. And through whom we can return to the Father.
and to make all see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 3:9 NKJV)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
To reiterate, and to encapsulate the distinction — the Father is the source of all things and the Son the channel through whom the Father created all things.
Father and Son
The distinction that Paul makes between the Father and the Son in 1 Corinthians 8:6 is crucially important to understanding the relationship between the two.
Indeed, that they are called the Father and the Son tells us much, if we pay attention. The language of father and son is intended to draw us to that which we all know and understand concerning family relationships. A father is the source, the one who generates his son. Conversely, a son comes from, or out of, his father. A father has authority and seniority over his son. A son is subject to his father’s will and obeys him.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (John 8:42 KJV)
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God. (1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38 KJV)
Thus, the Father and the Son have a familial relationship, and just as with a human family there is hierarchy. The Father is the supreme being from whom all things emanate and the Son is the subordinate being through whom the Father’s will is accomplished.
Concerning their nature, as the Father is God, the Son is also God. Not because he’s a co-equal person in a trinity, but because he came forth from God as his first begotten son. In the same way a human father can only beget a human son, a God father can only beget a God son. This might all seem pretty obvious, but sometimes we need to park on the obvious in order to fully grasp its reality.
Further, Jesus continually refers to God as his father. There are 56 instances of Jesus saying “my Father”, 4 instances of him saying “my Father’s”, 2 instances of him saying “my heavenly Father”, 1 instance of him saying “righteous Father”, 1 instance of him saying “holy Father”, plus a number of instances of him simply saying “Father”.
Jesus also says that his father is greater than him.
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:28 KJV)
The Greek word translated as greater is μείζων (G3187), which can also mean more important or elder. Again, this draws our attention to the nature of a human father-son relationship, with the father being the elder and more important of the two. More important in the sense that the son, no matter his age, ought always to honour his father as the elder.
Jesus Gives All Credit to the Father
Jesus repeatedly says everything he does and speaks are not his works or words but the Father’s, as he came to do the will of the Father. This shows the Father’s authority and the Son’s obedience, that the Father is the source and the Son the channel through whom that Father’s will is realised.
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19 KJV)
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38 KJV)
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:16 KJV)
Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. (John 7:28-29 KJV)
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (John 8:28 KJV)
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. (John 8:38 KJV)
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (John 12:49 KJV)
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14:10 KJV)
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. (John 17:8 KJV)
The New Testament Writers All Acknowledge the Father and the Son
Paul, John, Peter, James, and Jude all acknowledge the Father and the Son in their greetings and throughout their epistles. Here are many, if not all, references. Notably, however, there’s not a single instance of the holy spirit as a separate “person” in any of these greetings, or mentions.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7 KJV)
Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV)
Grace [be] to you and peace from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:2 KJV)
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) … Grace [be] to you and peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ, (Galatians 1:1, 3 KJV)
Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:2 KJV)
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:14 KJV)
Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6:23 KJV)
And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11 KJV)
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2 KJV)
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17 KJV)
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. … Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3 KJV)
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. … To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:11, 13 KJV)
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 KJV)
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (2 Thessalonians 2:16 KJV)
Unto Timothy, [my] own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:2 KJV)
To Timothy, [my] dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy 1:2 KJV)
To Titus, [mine] own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 1:4 KJV)
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philemon 1:3 KJV)
James, a servant of God [the Father, KM] and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (James 1:1 KJV)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3 KJV)
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22 KJV)
Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (2 John 1:3 KJV)
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, [and] called: (Jude 1:1 KJV)
The God of Jesus
Jesus not only readily acknowledged God as his father, but also as his God.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God. (John 20:17 KJV)
This truth was reflected in both Paul and Peter’s epistles.
that you may with one mind [and] one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:6 NKJV)
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (2 Corinthians 1:3 NKJV)
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. (2 Corinthians 11:31 KJV)
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Ephesians 1:17 KJV)
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (Colossians 1:3 KJV)
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 KJV)
Praise God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for all things. Always!
