Is Jesus Called 'God' in the Bible? Understanding Theos
Introduction: An Honest Question Deserves an Honest Answer
Here's a question that deserves a straightforward answer: Does the Bible ever call Jesus "God"?
Many people assume the answer is obviously "yes" or obviously "no" depending on their theology. But the truth is more nuanced than either extreme suggests.
The honest answer is: It depends on what you mean by "God."
There are a few passages where Jesus might be called "God" (Greek: theos). But before we jump to conclusions, we need to understand:
- How does the Bible use the word theos?
- Is there a difference between "God" and "the God"?
- Does the Bible call others "god" too?
- What's the consistent pattern throughout Scripture?
When we examine these questions carefully, we discover something fascinating: The Bible uses "God" (theos) in different ways—and understanding this unlocks the whole issue.
Let's look at the evidence honestly and let Scripture speak for itself.
Part 1: The Few Passages Where Jesus Might Be Called "God"
Let's start by being honest about the passages Trinitarians cite. There are a handful of verses where Jesus might be called theos ("God"):
1. John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
The Trinitarian reading: "The Word was God" proves Jesus (the Word) is God.
The issue: The Greek says "kai theos ēn ho logos" - literally "and god was the word." Notice:
- There's no article before theos here
- It could mean "the Word was divine" or "the Word was a god"
- In Greek, the lack of the article often indicates quality or nature rather than identity
Better translation: "The Word was divine" or "The Word had the nature of God"
Important: Even if it says "the Word was God," verse 18 clarifies: "No one has ever seen God"—but we've seen Jesus. So Jesus can't be "God" in the same sense as the invisible Father.
2. John 20:28
"Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'" (John 20:28)
The Trinitarian reading: Thomas calls Jesus "God," therefore Jesus is God.
The issue:
- This is Thomas's exclamation of worship
- The Bible uses "god" (elohim/theos) for representatives of God (see Part 3)
- Jesus immediately redirects focus: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (v. 29)
- Jesus doesn't say "Yes, I am God the Father"
Context matters: Just a few verses later, Jesus says: "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:17). If Jesus is God, why does He have a God?
3. Hebrews 1:8
"But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever.'" (Hebrews 1:8)
The Trinitarian reading: The Father calls the Son "God."
The issue:
- This is a quotation from Psalm 45:6, originally written about a human king
- Psalm 45 is a wedding song for a king of Israel
- The Hebrew can be translated: "Your throne, O God, will last forever" OR "Your throne is God's throne forever" OR "God is your throne forever"
Two verses later: "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions" (Hebrews 1:9, quoting Psalm 45:7)
Notice: The Son has "God, your God"—meaning the Son Himself has a God above Him. Can God have a God?
4. Titus 2:13
"While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13)
The Trinitarian reading: Jesus is called "our great God and Savior."
The issue:
- Greek grammar is ambiguous here
- It could mean: "the glory of our great God and [the glory of] [our] Savior Jesus Christ" (two persons)
- Or: "the glory of our great God-and-Savior, Jesus Christ" (one person)
Context decides: Earlier in Titus, Paul distinguishes God from Jesus:
- "Paul... according to the command of God our Savior" (Titus 1:1-3)
- "Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior" (Titus 1:4)
Paul consistently distinguishes God (the Father) from Christ Jesus our Savior.
5. 2 Peter 1:1
"To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours." (2 Peter 1:1)
Similar to Titus 2:13:
- Greek grammar is ambiguous
- Could refer to one or two persons
Context matters: Peter consistently distinguishes God from Jesus throughout his letters:
- "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:3)
- "God raised him from the dead" (1 Peter 1:21)
Peter knows God (the Father) and Jesus Christ are distinct persons.
The Honest Summary
Are there passages where Jesus might be called theos? Yes, a few.
But notice:
- These are rare (5 out of thousands of verses)
- Most are grammatically ambiguous
- They never call Jesus "the God" (with the article)
- The same passages distinguish Jesus from God
- The consistent pattern everywhere else is different
Now let's look at that pattern.
Part 2: The Overwhelming Pattern - Jesus Distinguished from "God"
While there are 5 debatable passages, there are hundreds where Jesus is clearly distinguished from God. Let's look at the pattern:
"The God" (Ho Theos) = The Father
In Greek, "the God" (ho theos) with the article almost always refers to the Father:
John 1:1: "The Word was with the God [ton theon]"
→ "The God" is someone other than the Word
John 1:18: "No one has ever seen God [theon], but the one and only Son... has made him known"
→ Jesus makes God known; Jesus isn't the one being made known
John 17:3: "That they know you, the only true God [ton monon alēthinon theon], and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent"
→ Jesus distinguishes Himself from "the only true God"
1 Corinthians 8:6: "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father [heis theos ho patēr]"
→ Paul identifies "the one God" as the Father
Ephesians 4:6: "One God and Father of all"
→ "One God" = the Father
1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God [heis theos] and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus"
→ "One God" is distinct from the mediator Jesus
The Consistent Formula
Notice the pattern in the epistles:
Romans 1:7: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ"
1 Corinthians 1:3: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
2 Corinthians 1:2: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
Galatians 1:3: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
Ephesians 1:2: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
Philippians 1:2: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
This formula appears in almost every epistle. Notice:
- God = the Father
- Jesus is distinguished from God
- They are two separate sources of grace
Paul's Consistent Language
Paul never calls Jesus "the God" (ho theos). Instead:
God (ho theos) is:
- The one who sent Jesus
- The one who raised Jesus
- The one Jesus is subject to
- The Father
Jesus is:
- Lord (kyrios)
- Son of God
- Messiah/Christ
- The one sent by God
"Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." (1 Corinthians 8:6)
Clear distinction: One God = the Father. One Lord = Jesus.
Part 3: The Bible Calls Others "God" Too
Here's the key insight: The Bible uses "god" (elohim in Hebrew, theos in Greek) for others besides the Most High God.
Moses Called "God"
"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'See, I have made you like God [elohim] to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.'" (Exodus 7:1)
God made Moses "god" to Pharaoh. Does this mean Moses is the Most High God? Obviously not!
It means Moses represented God's authority to Pharaoh.
Judges Called "Gods"
"God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the 'gods' [elohim]: 'How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?'... I said, 'You are "gods" [elohim]; you are all sons of the Most High.' But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler." (Psalm 82:1-2, 6-7)
God calls human judges "gods" because they represent His authority.
But the psalm makes clear they're mortals who will die. They're not the Most High.
Jesus quoted this very passage when accused of blasphemy:
"Jesus answered them, 'Is it not written in your Law, "I have said you are 'gods'"? If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, "I am God's Son"?'" (John 10:34-36)
Jesus's argument:
- If Scripture calls human judges "gods" (because they represent God)
- Why is it blasphemy when I (whom the Father sent) call myself God's Son?
Jesus is saying: "I'm not claiming to BE the Most High God. I'm claiming to REPRESENT God as His Son."
Angels Called "Gods"
"For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings [bene elim - literally 'sons of gods']?" (Psalm 89:6)
Angels are called "gods" or "sons of gods"—not because they are the Most High, but because they're heavenly beings.
Satan Called "The God of This Age"
"The god [ho theos] of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers." (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Paul calls Satan "the god of this age"—with the article! Does this make Satan the Most High God? No—it means Satan rules this present evil age.
The Pattern is Clear
The Bible uses "god" (elohim/theos) for:
- The Most High God (the Father)
- Representatives of God's authority (Moses, judges)
- Heavenly beings (angels)
- Rulers of domains (Satan as god of this age)
It's a functional title describing authority and representation, not always indicating the one true God.
Part 4: The Critical Distinction - "God" vs. "The God"
Greek grammar makes a crucial distinction:
With the Article: "The God" (Ho Theos)
"The God" (with the article) almost always means the Father—the one true God.
Examples:
- John 1:1: "The Word was with the God [ton theon]"
- John 17:3: "The only true God [ton monon alēthinon theon]"
- 1 Corinthians 8:6: "The Father" is "the one God"
- Ephesians 4:6: "The one God and Father"
Without the Article: "God" (Theos)
"God" (without the article) can mean:
- A quality (divine, godly)
- A representative of God
- A functional title
Examples:
- John 1:1: "The Word was god [theos]" (no article - quality/nature)
- Exodus 7:1: Moses is god to Pharaoh (representative)
- Psalm 82:6: Judges are gods (functional authority)
- 2 Corinthians 4:4: Satan is god of this age (functional ruler)
The Difference Matters
When Thomas says "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28), he's not necessarily saying Jesus is "the God" (the Father).
He could be saying:
- "My Lord and my divine master"
- "My Lord and my god (in the representative sense)"
- "You truly represent God to me!"
Proof: Immediately after, Jesus calls the Father "my God" (John 20:17). So even if Thomas calls Jesus "god," Jesus Himself has a God above Him.
Part 5: What Jesus Says About Himself and the Father
Let's look at Jesus's own statements about His relationship with the Father:
Jesus Calls the Father "The Only True God"
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God [ton monon alēthinon theon], and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3)
If Jesus is praying to the Father and calling the Father "the only true God", then:
- The Father alone is "the only true God"
- Jesus is distinct from "the only true God"
- Jesus is the one "whom you have sent"
Jesus Calls the Father "My God"
"Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."'" (John 20:17)
After His resurrection, Jesus still calls the Father "my God."
Can God have a God? Can "the only true God" worship another as "my God"?
No—but the Messiah, the Son of God, the human representative of God would call the Father "my God."
Jesus Says the Father Is Greater
"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I." (John 14:28)
"Greater" - not just different in role, but greater in authority, rank, and being.
Trinitarians try to explain this away ("Jesus is speaking from His human nature"), but Jesus simply says: "The Father is greater than I."
Jesus Says He Can Do Nothing by Himself
"Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19)
"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." (John 5:30)
"Can do nothing by himself" - This is not language describing "God."
God is self-sufficient, independent, almighty.
But God's human agent, empowered by God's Spirit, would say: "I can do nothing by myself—only what the Father enables me to do."
Jesus Submits to the Father
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38)
Two wills: Jesus's will and the Father's will.
Jesus submits His will to the Father's.
God doesn't submit to anyone—God is the ultimate authority. But the Messiah submits to God.
Part 6: The New Testament's Consistent Pattern
Let's look at how the New Testament consistently describes the relationship between God and Jesus:
God Sent Jesus
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." (John 3:16)
God gave the Son. The giver and the gift are not the same.
God Raised Jesus
"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death." (Acts 2:24)
"The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead." (Acts 5:30)
God raised Jesus. Can God raise Himself? Or did the Father raise the Son?
God Exalted Jesus
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." (Philippians 2:9)
God exalted Jesus and gave Him the highest name.
The one who exalts is greater than the one exalted. The one who gives is greater than the one who receives.
God Appointed Jesus
"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet... When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:25, 28)
Notice the future:
- Jesus will reign until all enemies are defeated
- Then Jesus will submit everything to God
- So that God may be all in all
The Son will submit to the Father. God doesn't submit to anyone.
The Pattern Never Changes
Throughout the New Testament:
- God (the Father) is the source
- Jesus is sent by God, raised by God, exalted by God
- The Father is greater, Jesus is subordinate
- They are always distinguished, never confused
Part 7: Why Jesus Can Be Called "God" Without Being "The God"
Here's the key to understanding the whole issue:
Representation vs. Identity
In biblical thinking, a representative can bear the name and title of the one they represent without being that person.
Example: Angels bearing God's name:
"The angel of the LORD appeared to [Moses] in flames of fire from within a bush... God called to him from within the bush." (Exodus 3:2, 4)
The angel appeared, but God spoke. Why? Because the angel represented God so perfectly that God's words came through the angel.
"The angel of the LORD said... 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.'" (Exodus 3:6)
The angel says "I am the God of Abraham." Does this mean the angel is God? No—the angel represents God so completely that God's words become the angel's words.
Jesus as God's Ultimate Representative
Jesus is God's perfect human representative:
"The Son is the image of the invisible God." (Colossians 1:15)
Image - not "identical to," but representation of.
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." (Hebrews 1:3)
Exact representation - like a perfect reflection or image, not the thing itself.
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)
Not because Jesus is the Father, but because Jesus perfectly represents the Father.
Why Jesus Can Bear the Title "God"
If Jesus is:
- Sent by God
- Empowered by God's Spirit
- The perfect image of God
- The one through whom God works
Then Jesus can bear the title "god" (representative sense) while the Father remains "the God" (the one true God).
Just as:
- Moses was "god" to Pharaoh (representing God's authority)
- Judges were "gods" (representing God's judgment)
- Angels spoke as "I am God" (representing God perfectly)
So Jesus can be called "god" (God's ultimate representative) while the Father is "the only true God."
Part 8: Addressing Common Objections
Objection #1: "If Jesus isn't God, how can He save us?"
Answer: Because God appointed Him to save us.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
God gave the name. Jesus is the appointed Savior, empowered by God to save.
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Jesus saves as our mediator—the man standing between us and God. A mediator is distinct from both parties.
Objection #2: "How can Jesus be worshiped if He's not God?"
Answer: Jesus receives honor appropriate to His role.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)
Notice the purpose: "to the glory of God the Father."
Honoring Jesus glorifies the Father who exalted Him. This is appropriate honor for God's appointed King, not worship of a second God.
"Honor the Son just as you honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him." (John 5:23)
We honor the Son as we honor the Father—but notice: the Father sent the Son. They're distinct.
Objection #3: "Hebrews 1:8 calls Jesus 'God'"
Answer: Already addressed, but let's review:
"About the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever'... but about the Son he says... 'You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions.'" (Hebrews 1:8-9)
Two verses later, the Son has "God, your God" above Him.
Even if called "god" in verse 8, the Son has a God in verse 9. Can "the God" have a God? No—but God's appointed Messiah can.
Objection #4: "John 1:1 clearly says 'the Word was God'"
Answer: Greek grammar allows multiple translations:
Greek: kai theos ēn ho logos
Possible translations:
- "The Word was God" (traditional)
- "The Word was divine" (quality)
- "The Word was a god" (representative)
Notice: no article before theos. This typically indicates quality or category, not identity.
Most important: John 1:18 clarifies: "No one has ever seen God." But we've seen Jesus. So Jesus can't be "God" in the same sense as the invisible Father.
Conclusion: The Biblical Balance
Is Jesus called "God" in the Bible?
The honest answer:
Yes - A few passages might call Jesus theos (god), though they're grammatically ambiguous.
But - This doesn't mean Jesus is "the God" (the Father, the only true God).
Why? - Because:
- The Bible uses "god" for representatives of God (Moses, judges, angels)
- "God" without the article can mean divine quality or representative status
- "The God" (with article) consistently means the Father
- Jesus distinguishes Himself from "the only true God" (the Father)
- Jesus has "my God" (the Father) above Him
- The Father is greater than Jesus
- The consistent pattern: God (Father) sent, raised, and exalted Jesus
The biblical picture:
✓ The Father alone is "the one God" (1 Cor 8:6)
✓ The Father alone is "the only true God" (John 17:3)
✓ Jesus is God's Son, the Messiah, the Lord
✓ Jesus perfectly represents God (as His image and exact representation)
✓ Jesus can bear the title "god" (representative sense)
✓ But Jesus is subordinate to the Father
✓ The Father and Son are always distinguished
Don't let 5 ambiguous verses override:
- Hundreds of verses distinguishing God from Jesus
- Jesus's own clear statements
- The apostles' consistent teaching
- The logical impossibility of Jesus having "my God" if He is "the God"
The truth is simple:
The Father is "the only true God."
Jesus is God's appointed Messiah and Lord.
Jesus perfectly represents God without being God Himself.
That's the biblical pattern. That's what Jesus taught. That's what the apostles believed.
For Further Study
Jesus distinguishes Himself from "the God":
- John 17:3 ("The only true God")
- John 20:17 ("My God and your God")
- John 14:28 ("The Father is greater")
- Mark 10:18 ("No one is good except God alone")
The "one God" identified as the Father:
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 ("One God, the Father")
- Ephesians 4:6 ("One God and Father")
- 1 Timothy 2:5 ("One God... the man Christ Jesus")
- James 2:19 ("You believe there is one God")
Others called "god" in Scripture:
- Exodus 7:1 (Moses is "god" to Pharaoh)
- Psalm 82:6 (Judges called "gods")
- John 10:34-35 (Jesus quotes this passage)
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (Satan is "god of this age")
Questions to Consider:
- If Jesus is "the only true God," why does He call the Father "the only true God"?
- If Jesus is "the God," why does He have "my God" above Him?
- How can Jesus submit to the Father if they're co-equal?
- If "god" always means "the Most High," how can Moses, judges, and angels be called "god"?
- What's the consistent pattern: Jesus identified WITH God, or Jesus DISTINGUISHED FROM God?
Your Challenge:
Read through John's Gospel and make two lists:
- Passages where Jesus might be called "god" (you'll find 1-2)
- Passages where Jesus distinguishes Himself from God (you'll find dozens)
Which pattern is overwhelming? Which should interpret the ambiguous passages?
Let the clear interpret the unclear. Let Jesus's own words guide you.