Donate via DonorboxWhen Jesus walked the earth, he walked as the perfect expression of the essence, or being, of the invisible God, the Father whom no man has ever seen.
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him]. (John 1:18 KJV)
Paul confirms God is unseeable in his epistle to the Colossians, as well as in his first epistle to Timothy.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15 KJV)
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 KJV)
The unknown God was worshipped by the Athenians, but the invisible, living God can be known through his creation, and through his word.
For the end, a Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands. (Psalm 18:1 BES) [Psalm 19:1 MT]
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 ESV)
Jesus confirms that he is one with the Father, and if we know and see him, we know and see the Father.
I and [my] Father are one. (John 10:30 KJV)
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. (John 8:19)
And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. (John 12:45)
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. [8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:7-9)
Jesus confirms that he speaks the words given him by the Father, and does both the works and the will of the Father.
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)
But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. (John 5:36 KJV)
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:16 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)
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38 KJV)
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30 KJV)
A Study of Hebrews 1:3
Hebrews 1:3 perfectly encapsulates the divinity of Jesus, that he is the visible expression of the invisible God. However, we have to be careful with the translation of certain key words within the verse, especially with the KJV, which includes the word “person”, a word that is used to uphold the trinitarian doctrine.
First, let’s look at the verse in Greek, with the two key words χαρακτὴρ and ὑποστάσεως in bold.
ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ (G5481) τῆς ὑποστάσεως (G5287) αὐτοῦ, φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ καθαρισμὸν ποιησάμενος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς, (Hebrews 1:3 BYZ)
Now, let’s look at the KJV, ESV and CTB translations of the phrase χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3 KJV)
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3 ESV)
who being an effulgence of the glory, and an impress of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, having by himself made a purification of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3 CTB)
Definitions: χαρακτήρ and ὑπόστασις
χαρακτήρ charaktēr (G5481)
Complete Word Study Dictionary: The -tḗr suffix signifies agency, hence the word originally denoted an engraver or engraving tool. Later it meant the impression itself, usually something engraven, cut in, or stamped, a character, letter, mark, sign. This impression with its particular features was considered as the exact representation of the object whose image it bore.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: 2b) the exact expression (the image) of any person or thing, marked likeness, precise reproduction in every respect, i.e facsimile
These definitions are straightforward and are perfectly in line with the definition of the word “character”. When we think of someone’s character, we think of that which is expressed and can be seen.
ὑπόστασις hupostasis (G5287)
Complete Word Study Dictionary: To place or set under. In general, that which underlies the apparent, hence, reality, essence, substance; that which is the basis of something, hence, assurance guarantee, confidence (with the obj. sense). … (III) Substance, what really exists under any appearance, reality, essential nature (Heb 1:3, “the express image” or exact expression of God’s essence or being, i.e., of God Himself).
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: 2b. the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing
As we can see, the ESV and CTB translations of ὑπόστασις are in line with the above definition, with the ESV translating ὑπόστασις as “nature” and the CTB as “substance”. The KJV, however, translates ὑπόστασις as “person”, which is no translation at all but, rather, a deliberate insertion of a word to uphold the trinitarian doctrine of three persons.
The Phrase: καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ
Given that χαρακτὴρ can be translated as exact expression and ὑποστάσεως as substance or nature, the entire phrase can be translated as the exact expression of his [God, the Father, KM] substance or essence. However, we can refine this further by looking into the definition of “exact”.
Webster’s 1828 defines “exact” as follows:
2): (a.) Precisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect; true; correct; precise;
Now let’s look at how Webster’s 1828 defines “perfect”:
1): (a.) Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.
Given that something which is exact is also something that precisely agrees with and perfectly conforms, and that something which is perfect has all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind, it’s clear that exact and perfect can be used synonymously.
Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect expression, or representation, of God’s essence, or being. Which is why he says that if we have seen him, we have seen the Father.
We Represent Christ
In turn, when we follow Jesus we are ambassadors for Christ, his representatives on earth. Given that Jesus represented the Father perfectly, we have a high calling to holiness, to be separate from the world, and to conduct ourselves such that we express the essence of Jesus Christ, in word and in deed.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [conduct, KM]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:13-16 KJV)
