Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)
In Genesis 1:26, does the word “us” indicate that God was speaking to the pre-incarnate Christ?
📍 A foundation:
- 📌 The Bible is God’s revealed Word. Through His revelation, we come to know who God is.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” — 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
This verse affirms that Scripture is directly inspired by God (literally “God-breathed”) and is meant to teach, guide, and reveal truth, including God’s character and nature.
- 📌 God chooses to reveal only what is necessary or comprehensible to humans while keeping mysteries to Himself.
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
— Deuteronomy 29:29 (KJV)
- 📌 When the prophets recorded what God revealed, they may not have fully understood their writings. Consequently, some verses became difficult to interpret.
Theologians have thus developed interpretations of certain verses over the centuries. However, these interpretations remain imperfect due to our limited understanding.
📍Regarding Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
👉 1. Trinitarian View (Christian Doctrine)
Interpretation:
The “us” and “our” refer to the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (pre-incarnate Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
Support:
- The plural language hints at internal divine plurality.
- This aligns with John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16, which affirm Christ’s presence at creation.
- Common in orthodox Christian theology.
Example verse:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
👉 2. Divine Council View
Interpretation:
God addresses His heavenly council—angels or spiritual beings who serve Him—in a manner akin to how ancient kings spoke to their court.
Support:
- Similar language is used in Job 1:6 and Psalm 82:1, which refer to divine assemblies.
- God alone creates (note: “So God created man…” in v.27 is singular).
Caution:
- Angels are not creators, and humans are not created in the image of angels, so this perspective emphasizes God addressing an audience rather than inviting co-creation.
👉 3. Royal or Majestic Plural (Plural of Majesty)
Interpretation:
The “us” is a literary device called the plural of majesty—standard in ancient languages—where a monarch refers to themselves in the plural. “We, the King…”
Support:
- Some kings and emperors spoke this way (e.g., “We are not amused”).
- Critics argue that Hebrews do not consistently use this form for God elsewhere.
👉 4. Figurative or Literary Device
Interpretation:
Some scholars believe “us” is a poetic or rhetorical expression, emphasizing the gravity of creating humanity.
Summary of Theological Positions:
| Interpretation | Who is “us”? | Strengths | Commonly Held By |
| Trinitarian | Father, Son, Holy Spirit | Fits Christian theology and NT references | Orthodox Christianity |
| Divine Council | God + angels/heavenly beings | Fits ancient context, OT use of councils | Some Evangelicals, OT scholars |
| Majestic Plural | God referring to Himself | Fits literary traditions | Some Jewish and historical views |
| Literary Device | Emphasizing significance | Less theological, more literary | Literary scholars |
👉 In addition, in critical or historical theology, the concept of monotheism in ancient Israel may have developed gradually over time, rather than appearing fully formed at the beginning.
📖 Traditional (Orthodox) View
- Belief: Monotheism (belief in one true God) was revealed from the beginning—starting with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and fully clarified through Moses and the Law.
- Support: The Bible consistently teaches that there is only one God.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” — Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV)
- Implication: Any departure from monotheism (e.g., idolatry, Baal worship) was considered a rebellion, not ignorance.
🧠 Scholarly/Historical-Critical View
- Belief: Early Hebrews were likely henotheistic (believing in one main god while acknowledging the existence of others), and only later became fully monotheistic.
- Evidence Cited:
- Early biblical texts may reflect divine council language (e.g., “gods” in Psalm 82:1).
- Names like El Elyon, El Shaddai, and Yahweh suggest evolving understandings of God.
- Archaeological finds (e.g., inscriptions referring to “Yahweh and his Asherah”) imply early religious practices included more than one divine figure.
- Transition: Scholars often date full monotheism as becoming dominant during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BC), primarily through prophets like Isaiah.
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.” — Isaiah 45:5
🧩 Important Distinctions:
- Monotheism: Belief that only one God exists.
- Henotheism: Worship of one main god without denying others.
- Monolatry: Worship of one god while others may exist, but are not worshipped.
👉 Furthermore, Oneness Pentecostal theology and Trinitarian theology, their core differences and beliefs.
🔁 Oneness Pentecostalism vs. Trinity: A Comparative Overview
| Topic | Trinitarian Theology | Oneness Pentecostal Theology |
| View of God | Believes in one God in three coequal, coeternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. | Believes in one God who manifests Himself in different modes or roles, not distinct persons. |
| Nature of Jesus | Jesus is the second person of the Trinity — fully God and fully man; distinct from the Father and the Spirit. | Jesus is the full manifestation of God — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all expressions of Jesus. |
| Father, Son, Holy Spirit | All are distinct persons, yet one God (one essence, three persons). | These are titles or roles God has taken at different times — not distinct persons. |
| Baptismal Formula | Trinitarians baptize “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (per Matthew 28:19). | Oneness Pentecostals baptize “in Jesus’ name” only, based on Acts 2:38 and other verses. |
| Historical Roots | Rooted in early Church creeds (e.g., Nicene Creed, 325 AD); considered orthodox by Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox traditions. | Emerged in the early 20th century (1910s) during the Pentecostal movement; seen as non-Trinitarian and often considered heretical by mainstream Christianity. |
| Salvation | Emphasizes faith in Christ, grace, repentance, baptism (Trinitarian), and the work of the Holy Spirit. | Emphasizes repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and speaking in tongues as evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. |
| View of Trinity Doctrine | Essential to Christian orthodoxy — God’s nature is relational and eternal within Himself. | Views Trinity as a man-made doctrine and unbiblical, often labeling it as pagan or polytheistic. |
✳️ Final Note:
The immediate next verse (Genesis 1:27) switches back to the singular:
“So God created man in his own image…”
This affirms that God alone is the creator, regardless of whom He addresses.
✴️ Conclusion:
❤️ Let God reveal Himself to you—His truth, His nature.
No matter how human beings interpret Scripture, God remains unchanged.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Colossians 4:6 (KJV)
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”