Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Son of God" holds profound significance within Christian theology, denoting both the unique relationship of Jesus Christ to God the Father and the divine nature of Jesus Himself. This title is pivotal in understanding the identity and mission of Jesus as presented in the New Testament.
Old Testament BackgroundWhile the specific term "Son of God" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept of divine sonship is present. Israel is occasionally referred to as God's "son" (
Exodus 4:22-23), indicating a special covenantal relationship. Additionally, the Davidic king is described as God's son in a royal and messianic sense (
2 Samuel 7:14;
Psalm 2:7), foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, "Son of God" is a central title for Jesus, affirming His divine nature and messianic role. The Gospel of Matthew records the angel's announcement to Joseph, affirming Jesus' divine conception: "She will give birth to a Son, and you shall give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (
Matthew 1:21). This divine sonship is further confirmed at Jesus' baptism, where a voice from heaven declares, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (
Matthew 3:17).
The Gospel of John emphasizes the pre-existence and divinity of Jesus as the Son of God.
John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" . This passage highlights the incarnation, where the eternal Son took on human nature.
Christological SignificanceThe title "Son of God" underscores the unique and eternal relationship between Jesus and God the Father. It affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This is evident in passages such as
John 10:30, where Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one" , indicating His divine unity with the Father.
Messianic FulfillmentJesus' role as the Son of God is intricately linked to His messianic mission. In the Synoptic Gospels, Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (
Matthew 16:16), acknowledges Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecies. The title also signifies Jesus' authority and power, as seen in His miracles and teachings.
Redemptive RoleThe Son of God's redemptive work is central to Christian faith. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus, the Son of God, provides salvation and reconciliation with God.
Romans 1:4 declares that Jesus "was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead" , affirming His victory over sin and death.
Believers as Children of GodWhile Jesus is uniquely the Son of God, believers are also called children of God through faith in Christ.
John 1:12 states, "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" . This adoption into God's family is made possible through the Son's redemptive work.
In summary, the title "Son of God" is foundational to understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. It affirms His divinity, His messianic mission, and His role in the salvation of humanity, while also highlighting the believer's relationship with God through Him.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Son of GodA peculiar appellation of Christ, expressing his eternal relationship to the Father,Psalm 2:7Daniel 3:25Luke 1:35John 1:18,34. Christ always claimed to be the only-begotten Son of the Father,Matthew 4:3 8:29 27:54John 3:16-18; and the Jews rightly understood him as thus making himself equal with God,John 5:18 10:30-33.
Greek
5207. huios -- ason... For the believer, becoming a
son of
God begins with being reborn () by
the heavenly Father -- through Christ (the work of the ).
...5140. treis and tria -- three
... 5140 -- ; also the number of (symbolically) showing His work -- ie as the ( being),
God the Father,God theSon, andGod the Holy Spirit. Word Origin a prim....
2424. Iesous -- Jesus or Joshua, the name of the Messiah, also...
... is His name, as the incarnate, eternalSon ofGod (Mt 1:21,25, see also Lk 1:31) --
the Christ, the divine Messiah (the second Person of the holy Trinity)....
1664. Elioud -- "God of majesty," Eliud, an Israelite
... el-ee-ood') Short Definition: Eliud Definition: Eliud,son of Achim, and father
of Eleazar. Word Origin of Hebrew origin el and hod Definition "God of majesty...
3816. pais -- a child, boy, youth
... case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a king; and
by eminence toGod) -- child, maid(-en), (man) servant,son, young man....
2128. eulogetos -- well spoken of, ie blessed
... well of"; to . 2128 ("blessed") is used ofGod the Father and Christ (God
theSon), showing the is. Indeed, is , ""! [The suffix...
5206. huiothesia -- adoption
... of huios and a derivative of tithemi; the placing as ason, ie Adoption (figuratively,
Christian sonship in respect toGod) -- adoption (of children, of sons)....
5043. teknon -- a child (of either sex)
... This promptsGod to them into .... Origin from tikto Definition a child (of either sex)
NASB Word Usage child (13), children (76), children's (2),son (8), sons (1...
1659. eleutheroo -- to make free, fig. to exempt (from liability)
... from bondage; (figuratively) to remove the restrictions of sin (darkness) because
delivered byGod (growth). See 1658 (). Jn 8:36: "So if theSon (1659 ), you...
Strong's Hebrew
110. Adbeel -- "disciplined ofGod," the thirdson of Ishmael... 109, 110. Adbeel. 111 . "disciplined of
God," the third
son of Ishmael.
Transliteration: Adbeel Phonetic Spelling: (ad-beh-ale') Short Definition: Adbeel.
...420. Eldaah -- "God has called," ason of Midian
... 419, 420. Eldaah. 421 . "God has called," ason of Midian. Transliteration:
Eldaah Phonetic Spelling: (el-daw-aw') Short Definition: Eldaah....
474. Elishua -- "God is salvation," ason of David
... 473, 474. Elishua. 475 . "God is salvation," ason of David. Transliteration:
Elishua Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-shoo'-ah) Short Definition: Elishua....
464. Eliphaz -- "God is fine gold," ason of Esau, also a friend...
... Eliphaz. 465 . "God is fine gold," ason of Esau, also a friend of Job.
Transliteration: Eliphaz Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-faz') Short Definition: Eliphaz....
5741. Adriel -- "my help isGod,"son-in-law of Saul
... 5740b, 5741. Adriel. 5742 . "my help isGod,"son-in-law of Saul. Transliteration:
Adriel Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ree-ale') Short Definition: Adriel....
3183. Yachtseel -- "God apportions," ason of Naphtali
... 3182, 3183. Yachtseel. 3184 . "God apportions," ason of Naphtali. Transliteration:
Yachtseel Phonetic Spelling: (yakh-tseh-ale') Short Definition: Jahzeel...
30. Abihu -- "he is father," ason of Aaron
... Abihu. From 'ab and huw'; father (ie Worshipper) of Him (ieGod); Abihu, ason of
Aaron -- Abihu. see HEBREW 'ab. see HEBREW huw'. 29, 30. Abihu. 31 ....
6005. Immanuel -- "with us isGod," the name of a child
... Immanuel. From im and 'el with a pronominal suffix inserted; with us (is)God; Immanuel,
a type name of Isaiah'sson -- Immanuel. see HEBREW im. see HEBREW 'el....
3458. Yishmael -- "God hears," the name of several Israelites
... Ishmael. From shama' and 'el;God will hear; Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest
son, and of five Israelites -- Ishmael. see HEBREW shama'. see HEBREW 'el....
841. Asarelah -- ason of Asaph
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition ason of Asaph NASB Word Usage Asharelah
(1). Asarelah. From the same as 'Asar'el; right towardGod; Asarelah, an...
Library
The Divinity of theSon ofGod.
... FIFTH PART THE DIVINITY OF THESON OFGOD. Concerning the... things. But the
Father isGod to theSon; for from Him He was bornGod. (Lib...
That theSon ofGod is not a Created Being is Proved by the...
... That theSon ofGod is not a created being is proved by the following?... Jesus Christ
is theSon ofGod phusei, we are sons huiothesia "by adoption."....
Christ theSon ofGod.
... IV."CHRIST THESON OFGOD.... "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is theSon
ofGod,God abideth in him and he inGod" (I. John iv.15)....
The Divinity of theSon ofGod
... VIII. THE DIVINITY OF THESON OFGOD. With regard... the Father. On this account,
he is correctly denominated bothGod and theSon ofGod....
Whether theSon ofGod Ought to have Assumed Human Nature...
... OF THE MODE OF UNION ON THE PART OF THE HUMAN NATURE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the
Son ofGod ought to have assumed human nature abstracted from all individuals?...
Jesus,Son ofGod.
... XXII. JESUS,SON OFGOD. "And it was the... In a word, it was a Messiah the
Jews looked for, not theSon ofGod. They looked for one...
That theSon is VeryGod, of the Same Substance with the Father....
... was the Word, and the Word was withGod, and the Word wasGod." For it is plain
that we are to take the Word ofGod to be the onlySon ofGod, of whom it is...
Of theSon ofGod.
... Article III: Of theSon ofGod. Also they teach that the Word, that is,
theSon ofGod, did assume the human nature in the womb...
Whether theSon ofGod Assumed a Person?
... OF THE MODE OF UNION ON THE PART OF THE HUMAN NATURE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the
Son ofGod assumed a person?... Nat.). Therefore theSon ofGod assumed a person....
Whether theSon ofGod Ought to have Assumed a True Body?
... OF THE PARTS OF HUMAN NATURE WHICH WERE ASSUMED (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
theSon ofGod ought to have assumed a true body? Objection...
Resources
Why is Ezekiel called son of man if it is a title for Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus is the Son of Man? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus is the son of David? | GotQuestions.orgSon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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