Paul Proclaims: Christ is Creator and Not a Creature
- samshmn
- 4 hours ago
- 17 min read
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul laments the fact that humans have turned to worshiping and serving the creation as opposed to glorifying and thanking the Creator, who is to be praised forever:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him (edoxasan) as God or give thanks (eucharistesan), but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped (esebasthesan) and served (elatreusan) the creature (te ktisei) rather than the Creator (ktisanta), who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 1:18-25
Note that the Apostle condemns the worship of corruptible man as foolish and a sign of human depravity. Paul is clearly against the worship of any creature, which means that he would never worship or allow others to worship Christ if he thought that Jesus was a mere human creature, and not the unique divine Son of God who became Man for our salvation.
Therefore, if the inspired Apostle did not think that Christ was only a human being then we would expect to find him ascribing to the risen Jesus the very worship, glory and honor, which God alone is to receive. And, amazingly, this is exactly what we find Paul doing, namely, glorifying Christ as God Incarnate!
To begin with, Paul identifies himself as the slave of Christ and describes Jesus as the Lord of all believers, being also the Lord of both the living and the dead:
“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus (doulos Chrisou), called as an apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was designated as the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;” Romans 1:1-6
Paul’s reference to Jesus being of the seed of David according to the flesh, meaning in relation to his human nature, presupposes that Christ is more than a mere man. It assumes that the risen Jesus has another nature, which Paul expresses in terms of Christ’s unique Sonship to God. More on this point later on.
Elsewhere, the Apostle speaks of Christ coming to judge mankind, and cites an OT text to prove this:
“For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you view your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God (to bemata tou theou). For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be slandered; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ (douleuon to Christo) is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Romans 14:9-18
Paul quotes the Greek version of Isaiah 45:23, where YHWH swears that all humanity will worship and acknowledge him:
“By myself I swear, righteousness shall surely proceed out of my mouth; my words shall not be frustrated; that to me every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall swear by God,”
What makes this so remarkable is that the Apostle preaches that everyone will stand before Jesus’ judgment seat since he is the One who comes to judge:
“on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:16
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (tou bematou tou Christou), so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
Paul even goes so far as to ascribe the worship, which the text in Isaiah says YHWH receives, to Christ himself!
“Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
It is Jesus that every created thing will bow to and confess as Lord, meaning YHWH, since this is what brings glory to the Father. I.e., God is delighted when every creature recognizes Jesus his Son to be YHWH Incarnate.
According to Paul, this universal recognition and worship of Jesus as YHWH takes place when every individual stands before Christ on the day when he physically descends to judge the world.
Another way that the Apostle sets forth the Deity of Jesus is by referring to himself as a priest of Christ to the Gentiles in order to present them as a spiritual offering/sacrifice to the risen Lord:
“But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me by God for me to be a minister of Christ Jesus (leitourgon Christou Iesou) to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest (hierougounta) the gospel of God, so that my offering (he phosphora) of the Gentiles may become acceptable, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not be bold to speak of anything except what Christ has brought about through me, leading to the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:15-19
The term employed by Paul is used in the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible for the service, which the priests and the Levites rendered to God in his Temple:
“And the sound of Aaron shall be audible when he ministers (leitourgein), as he goes into the sanctuary before the Lord, and has he goes out, that he die not. And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and thou shalt grave on it [as] the graving of a signet, Holiness of the Lord. And thou shalt put it on the spun blue cloth, and it shall be on the mitre: it shall be in the front of the mitre. And it shall be on the forehead of Aaron; and Aaron shall bear away the sins of their holy things, all that the children of Israel shall sanctify of every gift of their holy things, and it shall be on the forehead of Aaron continually acceptable for them before the Lord. And the fringes of the garments [shall be] of fine linen; and thou shalt make a tire of fine linen, and thou shalt make a girdle, the work of the embroiderer. And for the sons of Aaron thou shalt make tunics and girdles, and thou shalt make for them tires for honour and glory. And thou shalt put them on Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, and thou shalt anoint them and fill their hands: and thou shalt sanctify them, that they may minister (hierateuosi) to me in the priest’s office. And thou shalt make for them linen drawers to cover the nakedness of their flesh; they shall reach from the loins to the thighs. And Aaron shall have them, and his sons, whenever they enter into the tabernacle of witness, or when they shall advance to the altar of the sanctuary to minister (leitourgein), so they shall not bring sin upon themselves, lest they die: [it is] a perpetual statute for him, and for his seed after him. Exodus 28:31-39 LXX
Note that the word hierateuosi refers to individuals that minister as priests: Strong's Greek: 2407. ἱερατεύω (hierateuó).
“And Moses and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites as the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the sons of Israel did to them. So the Levites purified themselves and washed their garments; and Aaron presented them as a gift before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to purify them. And afterwards the Levites went in to minister (leitourgein) in their service (ten leitourgian) in the tabernacle of witness before Aaron, and before his sons; as the Lord appointed Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, This is the [ordinance] for the Levites; From five and twenty years old and upward, they shall go in to minister in the tabernacle of witness. And from fifty years old [the Levites] shall cease from the ministry (tes leitourgias), and shall not work any longer. And his brother shall serve (leitourgesei) in the tabernacle of witness to keep charges, but he shall not do works: so shalt thou do to the Levites in their charges.” Numbers 8:20-26 LXX
“At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand near before the Lord, to minister (leitourgein) and bless in his name to this day.” Deuteronomy 10:8 LXX
The phrase is also used in respect to the service rendered to God by his angelic host:
“The Lord has prepared his throne in the heaven; and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all ye his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his bidding, [ready] to hearken to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts; [ye] ministers (leiturgoi) of his that do his will.” Psalm 102:19-21 LXX
Interestingly, these very angels are commanded to worship Jesus since, unlike them, he is the Lord who created and sustains all things, and who rules forever as God!
“And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, ‘And let ALL the angels of God worship Him.’ And of the angels He says, ‘Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers (leitourgous) flaming fire.’
“But of the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God (ho theos), is forever and ever, And the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.’ And, ‘You, Lord, in the beginning founded the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; They will perish, but You remain; And they all will wear out like a garment, And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.’
“But to which of the angels has He ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies As a footstool for Your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits (leitourgika pneumata), sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:6-14
This letter, which has traditionally been attributed to Paul, has God taking the following Psalm, which magnifies YHWH as the immutable Creator and Sustainer of all creation,
“But You, O Yahweh, abide forever, And the remembrance of Your name from generation to generation… Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You will remain; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” Psalm 102:12, 25-27
And attributing it to his glorious Son!
Seeing that Paul describes himself as a priest of Jesus, it makes sense that he could refer to his converts as his spiritual offering presented to the risen Lord, or portray them as first-fruits of Christ, as in the following case:
“Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epænetus, who is the firstfruits (aparche) of Achaia unto Christ.” Romans 16:5 (AKJV)
First-fruits were the portion, which Israel had to present to YHWH God in their worship of him. And yet here we see that the first-fruits of Christian believers were presented to Jesus himself!
Paul wasn’t the only inspired Apostle that spoke of the risen Jesus having priests offering him service, or who described converts as being first-fruits to Christ:
“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God AND OF Christ and will reign with HIM for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6
“Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who are not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits (aparche) to God AND TO the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.” Revelation 14:1-5
Astonishingly, John describes the 144,000 Israelites as first-fruits to both God and the Lamb, whereas in the OT Israel is said to be YHWH’s first-fruits!
“Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “I remember concerning you the loyal love of your childhood, the love of your betrothal-time, your going after me in the desert, in the land not sown. Israel was holy to Yahweh, the first fruit of his produce. All those who ate it were held guilty; disaster came to them,”’ declares Yahweh.” Lexham English Bible (LEB)
Could these inspired authors have been any clearer in describing both the Father and the Son as the one true God YHWH?
Another way in which priests ministered to God was to call upon his name. Calling on God’s name refers to invoking and thanking him in prayer:
“Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called on His name; They would call upon Yahweh and He would answer them. He would speak to them in the pillar of cloud; They kept His testimonies And the statute that He gave them. O Yahweh our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.” Psalm 99:6-8
Here’s the English rendering of the LXX:
“Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name (tois epikaloumenois to onoma autou); they called upon the Lord, and he heard them.” Psalm 98:6 LXX
Remarkably, this is the same exact worship which Paul and the early Christians gave to Jesus!
“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (tois epikaloumenois to onoma ‘Kyriou hemon ‘Iesou Christou), their Lord and ours:.” 1 Corinthians 1:2
The Apostle even quoted the following OT passage, which speaks of calling upon the name of YHWH for salvation,
“Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am Yahweh your God, And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame. And it will be afterwards That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; Your old men will dream dreams; Your young men will see visions. Even on the male slaves and female slaves I will in those days pour out My Spirit. And I will put wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of Yahweh comes. And it will be that everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As Yahweh has said, Even among the survivors whom Yahweh calls.” Joel 2:27-32
To make his case that individuals must confess Jesus as Lord in order to be saved:
“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, leading to salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes upon Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, for ‘Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:9-13
Paul has basically identified Jesus as that very YHWH whom individuals must pray to and acknowledge for salvation!
This is further confirmed by the Apostle describing YHWH’s Spirit, which the prophecy in Joel said God would pour out upon all who call on his name, as the Spirit of both God and Christ Jesus!
“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:9-17
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7
A monotheistic Jew, as Paul certainly was, could never identify the Holy Spirit as the Spirt of a mere finite creature.
Since the service, which Paul says only God is to receive, i.e., latreuo, is connected with the worship given by priests, this proves that Jesus is being given this exact same worship.
This brings me to my next point.
Paul begins and ends his letters by praying that the recipients/readers be granted specific divine graces from both the Father and the Son:
“to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father AND the Lord Jesus Christ. For God, whom I serve (ho latreuo) in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing I make mention of you, always in my prayers earnestly asking, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.” Romans 1:7-10
“And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans 16:20
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father AND the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3
“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha (Aramaic – Our Lord Come!). The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” 1 Corinthians 16:22-23
Again, Paul wasn’t the only one to invoke Christ in this manner:
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father AND FROM Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” 2 John 1:3
“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, FROM the One who is and who was and who is to come, AND FROM the seven Spirits who are before His throne, AND FROM Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the might forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6
“He who bears witness to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21
Once again, this is an astounding practice for monotheistic Jews to be doing, since they would know better than to pray to someone else in heaven besides God to grant spiritual favors.
After all, God-fearing Jews were taught in the Hebrew Bible that God alone is the Source of all blessings and to, therefore, pray to a creature to bestow such graces would be both blasphemous and idolatrous.
With the foregoing in view, it shouldn’t surprise us that the inspired Apostle even went as far as to glorify Christ as the God who reigns supreme over all, and who is to be eternally praised:
“They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 9:4-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
Remember that earlier I noted how Paul made reference to Jesus’ being a descendant of David according to the flesh, which presupposes that Christ has more than one nature. By once again stressing the human nature of Christ, i.e., that Jesus is an Israelite as far his flesh is concerned, the Apostle is again hinting at the fact that Jesus is more than a Man.
For Paul, and all the rest of Jesus’ disciples, the risen Lord is the unique divine Son of God who became Man, being equal to the Father and the Spirit in essence, power, glory and honor.
Therefore, God’s Son is no mere human being, which means that worshipping him is not a sign of futility or moral depravity. Rather, worshiping Jesus is the correct and necessary thing to do in light of his being God Almighty that became flesh.
In fact, what the blessed Apostle would condemn as being foolish and wicked is to not worship the risen Jesus as the glorious, exalted Son of God.
Further Reading