The consistent use of the title "Lord" for Jesus in the New Testament is significant for understanding how the apostles maintained a distinction between Jesus and God the Father. In the ancient Jewish context, the title "Lord" (Kyrios) was used not only for God but also for human rulers, and it could denote authority or respect. While it is true that the term was employed for God in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Septuagint), its use for Jesus does not automatically equate Him with God the Father. The apostles, by calling Jesus "Lord," acknowledged His divine authority and role within God’s plan without suggesting that Jesus and the Father are the same being. This distinction is central to the Unitarian view, which sees Jesus as divinely appointed but not as co-equal with God.
In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul writes that God exalted Jesus to the highest place and that every knee will bow to Jesus as Lord, but the ultimate glory is given to God the Father. This passage emphasizes that Jesus’ exalted status is the result of the Father’s action, not a self-originating divine equality. If Jesus were fully God, there would be no need for this act of exaltation by the Father. The text reinforces the notion that Jesus, while divine, remains distinct from the Father, who is the source of all. In a similar vein, Acts 2:36 highlights that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah. Here, the distinction is maintained by explicitly stating that it is God who made Jesus Lord, implying that Jesus is not God Himself but is given this role by God. The language underscores a relationship of subordination rather than equality, affirming the distinct roles of the Father and the Son.
In Romans 10:9, Paul emphasizes the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord for salvation, but this confession does not equate Jesus with God. The focus is on Jesus’ role in salvation, but God is still the one who raised Him from the dead, showing that Jesus is dependent on the Father’s actions and affirming their separate identities. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 8:6, Paul states, “For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” This verse draws a clear distinction between God the Father as the source of all things and Jesus Christ as the means by which all things came to be. The use of “Lord” here points to Jesus’ exalted role, but again, it is clear that God and Jesus are not the same person.
In 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, Paul again emphasizes the subordination of the Son to the Father, stating that the Father put everything under Jesus' feet, but He is not included in this subjection. Once Jesus' work is completed, He will be subject to the Father, so that God may be all in all. This passage clearly demonstrates that Jesus, though exalted and given authority, is not equal with God in all respects. He is subordinate to God, which contradicts the idea of co-equality within the Trinity. This supports the Unitarian view that Jesus is a distinct and subordinate being rather than God Himself.
In John 8:17-18, Jesus appeals to the law, stating that "the testimony of two witnesses is true." He offers Himself as one witness and points to the Father as the second witness of His identity. This establishes a distinction between the Father and the Son, as Jesus argues that His testimony is validated by the Father’s independent testimony about Him. If Jesus were the same being as the Father, there would be no need for two separate testimonies to establish the truth of His words. This reflects a clear differentiation between the roles of Jesus and God the Father in revealing truth.
Finally, in John 14:28, Jesus explicitly states, "The Father is greater than I." This statement reinforces the idea that Jesus views Himself as subordinate to the Father. Trinitarians often interpret this as Jesus speaking from His human nature during His time on earth, but from a Unitarian perspective, it indicates that even in His divine capacity, Jesus is not equal to God in the same sense. Jesus’ submission to the Father is a crucial aspect of His distinct role in the divine plan, highlighting the relationship of dependence rather than equality.
Together, these passages provide a strong case for the understanding that Jesus, while divine and exalted, is not the same being as God the Father. The consistent use of the title "Lord" for Jesus and the frequent emphasis on His subordination to the Father highlight a clear distinction between the two figures. While Trinitarians may argue for a shared essence between Father and Son, these texts show that the New Testament writers were careful to preserve the unique roles of Jesus and the Father, maintaining that Jesus is the Son of God—divinely appointed, but distinct from God.
Jesus is undeniably divine, but in a manner that is distinct from being God the Father, the one true God. His divinity is rooted in His unique relationship with God, His divine mission, and His exalted role in God’s plan for salvation. While the New Testament frequently refers to Jesus as Lord and acknowledges His divine authority, these titles do not equate Him with the Father, who remains the sole source and the ultimate divine being. Jesus’ divinity is not about sharing the Father’s essence or substance (as Trinitarians would claim) but about His role in God's plan. He is exalted to the highest place by the Father, as Philippians 2:9-11 makes clear, but this exaltation does not indicate equality with God in essence. Jesus, though divine, is subordinate to the Father, as evidenced in verses like John 14:28 where He explicitly states that the Father is greater than He. His divine status comes from God’s purpose for Him—to be the anointed Messiah and mediator between God and humanity. His divine authority and His role as Savior are fundamental to the plan of redemption, but they do not make Him the one true God. Rather, Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine, but distinct from the Father, who is the sole Creator and ultimate source of all. This distinction is carefully maintained throughout the New Testament, emphasizing that while Jesus shares in God’s glory and authority, He remains separate in being from the Father, who is the only true God (John 17:3). Thus, while Jesus is divine, His divinity does not make Him the Father; it makes Him uniquely divine in His role as Lord, Messiah, and Son of God, fulfilling a distinct mission given to Him by God.
Stephen D Green and ChatGPT, Feb 2025
