How can one Person be fully God and fully man at once?
The Bible never explains the incarnation by thinning either side: Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man in one Person. He did not stop being God when He became man, and He was a real man, not God wearing a costume. This is the mystery to which Scripture constantly points, and it is the foundation of our redemption and our hope.
This question arose from studying Why is Jesus called both the Son of God and the Son of Man? and Who is Jesus?.
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What the Scripture says
He is fully God
John opens with two truths side by side: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,' and Paul says that 'in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.' He is 'the image of the invisible God,' the one through whom all things were created, 'the radiance of his glory' and 'the very image of his substance.' To Abraham He said, 'before Abraham came into existence, I AM,' taking the divine name for Himself.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;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;
He is fully man
'The Word became flesh, and lived among us,' and the child grew, increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. Hebrews says He shared in flesh and blood and was made like His brothers, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest. He was hungry after fasting, wept at a grave, and was 'in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.' He is not a ghost in human clothing; He is a man.
The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He emptied Himself without ceasing to be God
Paul describes the miracle: being 'in the form of God,' Christ 'didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant... he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.' When He washed the disciples' feet, John notes that Jesus knew 'that the Father had given all things into his hands,' and He laid aside His garments and served. The humiliation was real, but it was the act of the One who remained God: He poured Himself out, and He showed what God is like.
who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Both natures, one Person
The New Testament never sets the two truths side by side reluctantly; it assumes them at once. 'The Word was God' and 'the Word became flesh' are two clauses of one confession, and there is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,' who is also 'God was revealed in the flesh.' Thomas fell before the risen man and cried, 'My Lord and my God!' The church has always confessed one Person, Jesus Christ, with two natures: truly God and truly man, without confusion and without division.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Why it matters: our salvation and our hope
Only God could bear the weight of sin and save us; only a man could stand in our place and die our death. Paul says that by the trespass of one man death reigned, 'so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.' Because He is our brother, He is a merciful high priest who helps the tempted; because He is God, His one offering avails for all. 'Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich': the whole gospel stands on this one Person, fully God and fully man.
But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification. For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
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Verses to meditate on
The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
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