The Gospel of John: Come and See Trinity

Sunday we continue our focus on the Trinity from the gospel of John. Jesus is formally introducing us to the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The designation as “Holy” means the Spirit shares the divine essence and is fully God though distinct from the Father and the Son. In addition, Jesus says he’s returning to the Father, “who is greater than I.” This could be interpreted to mean the Jesus is a lesser God or in some way subordinate to the Father. That interpretation is problematic since as the Son of God, he shares the essence of the Father and all the attributes of deity. So that interpretation is perilous.

This week we’ll look at John’s statement in 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Notice that the ESV changes the language of the older versions of the King James and the New American Standard. It says, “only Son” instead of “only begotten Son.” While the intent is the same, it takes away an important word, “begotten.” In Trinitarian theology this word communicates the eternal relationship of origin between the Father and the Son. Jesus is begotten, not made, from the Father’s essence. While distinct from the Father, he is one with the Father because he shares his essence. This means he is fully God, and as we discussed last week, does not have separate “personhood” from the Father.

When Jesus says, “the Father is greater than I,” he could be referring to his origin in the Father. Join us Sunday as we consider this eternal relationship of origin.