1511 Trinity, relationships between the persons
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  1000 God  »  1500 God, the Trinity  »  1510 Trinity, the  »  1511 Trinity, relationships between the persons

The actual term “the Trinity” is not found in Scripture, but the truths implied in a trinitarian understanding of God are clearly set out. The OT hints at a plurality of persons in the Godhead. The NT affirms that the Son and the Holy Spirit are divine.

There is only one God

Deuteronomy 6:4 See also Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 44:8; 1 Timothy 1:17; Timothy 2:5; James 2:19

OT indications of plurality in the Godhead

God refers to himself in the plural

Genesis 1:26 See also Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7; Isaiah 6:8

The angel of the LORD

Genesis 16:11-13 The “angel of the LORD” is identified with, yet distinct from, God. See also Genesis 18:1-33; Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 13:3-22

The word of God

The “word of the LORD” or “wisdom of God” is personified and identified with, yet distinct from, God:

Psalm 33:4; Proverbs 8:22-31

The Spirit of God

The Spirit of God is God's personal agent:

Genesis 1:2; Nehemiah 9:20; Job 33:4; Isaiah 40:13 fn

The Messiah

The Messiah's divine nature is emphasised:

Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5-6

Interchangeable expressions

Word, Spirit (or breath) and LORD are used interchangeably for God:

Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 61:1

NT trinitarian references

Matthew 28:19 The unity of the three persons is reflected in the singular name. See also 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Revelation 1:4-5

The unity of the three persons

The Son is fully united with the Father

John 10:30 See also Mark 9:37 pp Luke 9:48; Luke 10:16; John 10:38; John 12:44-45; John 13:20; John 14:7,9-11; John 15:23

The Spirit is identified with God

2 Samuel 23:2-3 See also Psalm 51:11; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 3:16

The three persons are distinct from one another

Jesus Christ addresses the Father directly

Matthew 11:25-26 pp Luke 10:21; Matthew 26:39 pp Mark 14:36 pp Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:42; Matthew 27:46 pp Mark 15:34; Luke 23:46; John 11:41-42; John 17:1

The Father speaks to the Son from heaven

Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22; Matthew 17:5 pp Mark 9:7 pp Luke 9:35; John 12:27-28

The Spirit speaks to the Father on behalf of believers

Romans 8:26-27

Other examples of the difference between the persons

Matthew 12:32; Matthew 24:36; John 7:39; John 16:7; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1

The relationship between the Father and the Son

Jesus Christ is God's unique Son

John 1:14 The Greek word for “One and Only”, traditionally rendered “only begotten”, is actually used to signify “the only one of its kind”; “unique”. See also John 1:18; John 3:16,18; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Psalm 2:7; 1 John 4:9

The relationship of Father and Son is unique

Matthew 11:27 pp Luke 10:22 See also John 6:46; John 7:28-29; John 8:55; John 10:15; John 17:25

The Father loves the Son

John 3:35 See also John 5:20; John 10:17; John 15:9; John 17:24

The Father shares his divine life with the Son

Colossians 2:9 See also John 5:26; John 6:57; Colossians 1:19

The Father delegates his authority to the Son

John 5:27 See also Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; John 5:21-22; John 16:15; Revelation 2:26-27

Father and Son indwell each other

John 14:10-11 See also John 10:38; John 14:20; John 17:21-23

The relationship between the Holy Spirit and the other two persons

The Spirit is “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ”

Romans 8:9

“the Spirit of God”:

Psalm 106:33; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Philippians 3:3; 1 John 4:2

“the Spirit of Christ”:

Acts 16:7; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11

The Spirit's unique relationship with God

Matthew 10:20 See also 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

The Spirit's unique relationship with the Son

John 1:33 See also Isaiah 61:1; John 14:16-17,26; Acts 10:38

See also

1165  God, unique
1170  God, unity of
1652  numbers, 3-5
1690  word of God
2006  God, the Son
2012  Christ, authority
2078  Christ, sonship of
2218  Christ, Son of God
3010  God, the Holy Spirit
3269  Holy Spirit in Christ
3272  Holy Spirit in OT
4140  angel of the Lord



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