5 Bible Questions and AnswersНамуна

What does it mean that Jesus was fully man and fully God?

The only way Jesus could be God is if he was 100 percent divine. The only way he could be human is if he was 100 percent man. But how could this view, known as the “hypostatic union,” be possible?

First, let’s look at how Scripture defines the humanity of Jesus. John 1:14 says, “The Word became 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” (NKJV). Jesus was eternally divine in the past, yet he took on humanity, or “became flesh,” to live on the earth. In 1 John 4:2 we read, “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (NKJV). Jesus “came in the flesh” through his virgin birth in Mary’s womb. 

Second, let’s consider what the Bible says about the divine nature of Jesus. Jesus is eternal, is God, and all things were made through him. He did not stop being God to become human though he chose not to use all his divine powers during his earthly life. See John 1:1–3.

Third, let’s consider how these two natures are united as one. Hebrews 1:2–3 says, “In these last days [God has] spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (NKJV). God’s image was in the person of Jesus, providing a way to God through his forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus also spoke of himself as one person. He was equal with God the Father and God the Spirit, yet he existed as God the Son. See John 17:23.

This divine and human nature allowed Jesus to identify with us as humans, yet without sinning. Hebrews 4:15–16 teaches, “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (NKJV). The application for us today should not be confusion but rather boldness to approach God’s throne of grace with our needs.

The humanity and deity of Jesus are both essential to his role as the Son of God. He has identified with the human experience while also creating all humanity. This great power and love reveal his care for us and should lead us to a deeper worship of our Lord.

There are many tough Bible questions:

• Do the Gospels give different accounts of the resurrection of Jesus?
• How did God create all the world’s races of people from Adam and Eve?
• How can anyone know what God is like?
• Since God can do anything, can God ever sin?
• Why do Christians say homosexuality is a sin?
• What does the Bible teach about women in church leadership?
• What does the mark of the beast mean?

If you’re looking for more answers, we encourage you to check out 100 Bible Questions and Answers by Alex McFarland and Bert Harper. Learn more at https://bit.ly/100BibleQandA.