What does "life in Himself" mean for understanding Jesus' divine nature? Jesus’ statement in context John 5:26: “For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.” Unpacking “life in Himself” - “Life” here is not merely biological breath; it is the uncreated, self-sustaining essence of God. - “In Himself” means it is intrinsic, independent, needing nothing outside to exist or to continue. - The Father possesses this inherently, and the Son possesses it in exactly the same way. Self-existence: an exclusive divine attribute - Scripture consistently presents God alone as self-existent: - Exodus 3:14 — “I AM WHO I AM.” - Psalm 36:9 — “For with You is the fountain of life.” - By affirming Jesus shares this quality, the verse places Him squarely within the divine identity. Equality of Father and Son - John 1:1–4: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” - John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” - Possessing identical, self-existent life means Jesus is not a lesser being but fully equal with the Father. Eternal generation, not creation - The phrase “has granted” points to the Father-Son relationship within the Godhead, not to a time when the Son lacked life. - It speaks of eternal origin: the Son is eternally begotten, always sharing the same divine essence (John 1:18). - Therefore, “granted” describes relationship, not dependence or inferiority. Authority to give life - Because Jesus has life in Himself, He can impart it: - John 5:21 — “Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.” - John 11:25 — “I am the resurrection and the life.” - John 14:6 — “I am the way and the truth and the life.” - Eternal life is not something He merely distributes; it is something He is, and He shares Himself with believers. Practical reflections for our faith - Absolute reliability: trusting Jesus is trusting the very source of life. - Assurance of salvation: the life He gives is as secure as His own unending existence (John 10:28). - Present vitality: connection to Christ supplies spiritual vitality now (Galatians 2:20). - Future hope: the One who is life in Himself will raise us bodily (1 Corinthians 15:22). |
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