Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 37:3 (Sep 1994)
Article: The Subordination Of The Son
Author: John V. Dahms

JETS 37:3 (September 1994) p. 351

The Subordination Of The Son

John V. Dahms*

That the Bible teaches some kind of subordination of the Son to the Father is not doubted. All agree that the NT emphasizes that in the divine activities of creation, revelation, redemption and judgment the Son always functions in subordination to the Father. Representative passages include (1) with respect to creation, 1 Cor 8:6: “There is one God, the Father, from whom are all things …, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we exist” (cf. John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2); (2) with respect to revelation, John 8:28: “I … speak … as the Father taught me” (cf. 8:38; 12:49; 14:10); (3) with respect to redemption, 1 John 4:14: “The Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world” (cf. John 3:16; Rom 8:3, 32; Gal 4:4); (4) with respect to judgment, John 5:22, 30: “The Father … has given all judgment to the Son… As I hear I judge” (cf. Acts 17:31).

Many other passages teach some kind of subordination. Of special interest are (1) the numerous passages—some forty-two in the fourth gospel—that state in one way or another that the Father sent the Son; (2) passages in which the authority and activity of the Son are attributed to endowment from the Father (cf. Matt 11:27; 28:18; John 5:19–30); (3) the repeated phrase “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” or some variant of it (cf. Rom 15:6; 2 Cor 1:3; 11:31; Eph 1:3; Col 1:3; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6; cf. Mark 15:34 [Matt 27:46]; You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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