Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1040 God, fatherhood of

1040 God, fatherhood of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1010 God, nature and qualities of » 1015 God » 1040 God, fatherhood of

Primarily signifying God's paternal relationship to Jesus Christ, the term also refers to God's fatherly relationship to his creation, especially to believers as the “children of God”.

Aspects of the fatherhood of God

He is the Creator and provider

1 Corinthians 8:6 See also Deuteronomy 32:6,18; Isaiah 64:8; Acts 17:24-28

He shows love and compassion

He exercises his providence and care

Psalm 68:5 See also Matthew 6:26,31-33 pp Luke 12:29-31; Matthew 7:11 pp Luke 11:13

He disciplines and corrects

Deuteronomy 8:5 See also Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-6

God as the Father of Jesus Christ

Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22 See also Matthew 11:27; Luke 2:49; John 5:17-18; John 17:11; John 20:17; Romans 15:6; Ephesians 1:3

1 Peter 1:3 See also 1 John 1:3

God is the father of Israel

He cares for his covenant people

Jeremiah 31:9 See also Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 14:1; Deuteronomy 32:6,18; Isaiah 63:16; Malachi 2:10

He is the father of the kings of Israel

2 Samuel 7:13-14 pp 1 Chronicles 17:12-13 This description of God's fatherhood involves the maintenance of a special relationship between God and David's descendants, which ultimately includes Jesus Christ. See also Psalm 2:7; Psalm 89:26-27

God is the father of Christian believers

He has an intimate relationship with believers

Matthew 6:9 pp Luke 11:2 See also John 20:17; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 2:13

He adopts believers into his family

John 1:12-13 See also Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:5-7; 1 John 3:1

The fatherhood of God has implications for the church

Character: children are to reproduce the Father's likeness

Matthew 5:48

Unity: one Father means one family

Ephesians 4:3-6 See also Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Ephesians 3:14-15

Status: believers are related to Jesus Christ

Matthew 12:50 pp Mark 3:35 pp Luke 8:21 See also Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11

Inheritance: believers are heirs of the Father's kingdom

Romans 8:17 See also Luke 12:32; Galatians 3:29; Colossians 1:12; Titus 3:7

Submission: believers are to revere the Father

1 Peter 1:17 See also Matthew 6:9 pp Luke 11:2; Ephesians 3:14