Christ - Fully God and Fully man
Scripture teaches that Christ was fully God and fully man—often called the hypostatic union—is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology. Based on biblical exegesis, this truth is affirmed through various passages that reveal both the divine and human natures of Jesus, united in one Person. Here's a breakdown of how Scripture supports and explains this profound mystery:
1. Christ is Fully God
John 1:1, 14
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Exegesis: “The Word” (Greek Logos) is clearly identified as God in verse 1. Then verse 14 affirms that this same divine Word took on human nature and lived among us. This shows the divinity of Christ entering human experience.
Colossians 2:9
"For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."
Exegesis: Paul affirms not just a partial or symbolic divinity but the entirety of God's being dwelling in Jesus in bodily form.
Hebrews 1:3
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature..."
Exegesis: Jesus is not merely a reflection of God but the exact imprint, showing full equality and unity with the divine nature.
2. Christ is Fully Man
Philippians 2:6–8
"...though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men..."
Exegesis: Christ did not cease being God, but voluntarily humbled Himself to take on full humanity, including vulnerability, suffering, and death.
Hebrews 2:14,17
"...since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things..." "...He had to be made like His brothers in every respect..."
Exegesis: Christ’s humanity is complete—He shared in our human nature so that He could truly represent and redeem humanity.
Luke 2:52
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man."
Exegesis: Jesus experienced human growth and development, which confirms His real human nature.
3. Two Natures, One Person
The early church, after carefully considering Scripture, articulated this doctrine at the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451): Jesus is one Person with two natures—divine and human, without confusion, change, division, or separation.
Scripture shows that:
- Jesus acts with divine authority (forgiving sins—Mark 2:5-7),
- but also sleeps, eats, weeps, and suffers (Mark 4:38; John 11:35; Matthew 27:46).
These are not contradictions but expressions of two complete natures in one Person.
4. Why the Mystery?
The mystery is necessary for salvation:
- Only God can bear the infinite weight of sin and satisfy divine justice.
- Only a man can represent humanity and die in our place.
As 1 Timothy 2:5 says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..."
Summary
Christ is fully God, eternally one with the Father, and fully man, born in time through the Virgin Mary. He is not half-God and half-man, but 100% God and 100% man in one Person. This mystery is deep but biblically clear, and it stands at the heart of the Gospel.