Jesus Christ as the Image of God in Theology
Jesus Christ is described in Scripture as the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15 NASB) [4]. This concept highlights His divine nature and His role as the perfect representation and revealer of God to humanity [2, 7]. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in Colossians, presenting Jesus as supreme over all creation and the Church [7, 12].
The biblical understanding of Christ as the image of God is rooted in several key passages. John's writings frequently refer to Jesus as "the Word" (Greek: Logos), through whom God is made known [2]. John 1:1-14 states that the Word "was with God" and "was God," and that "all things came into being through Him" [2]. This divine nature is further underscored by Jesus' own declaration, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!" (John 14:9) [14]. This means that Jesus did not merely teach about God, but in Him, God can be directly encountered [14].
The concept of Christ as the image of God also connects to the creation account, where humanity was made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27) [11, 12]. However, Jesus is presented as the ultimate and perfect image, distinct from humanity's created image [11]. He is the "firstborn of all creation," indicating His pre-eminence and His role in creation itself [4, 7]. Colossians 1:16-17 elaborates that "in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible... all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" [10]. This passage suggests that Christ is not only the agent of creation but also its sustainer [7, 10].
The title "Christ" itself, meaning "Anointed One," signifies His consecration to His redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King [5]. His divine identity is further affirmed by various biblical titles, such as Jehovah, Jehovah of glory, and Jehovah our Righteousness [1]. He is also identified as the First and the Last, and Jehovah's Fellow and Equal [1]. These titles collectively point to His co-equality with God the Father [1, 13].
The early Church recognized the profound implications of Jesus being the image of God. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox theologian, emphasized that Christ is the "exact likeness and perfect Representative" of God [7, 10]. This understanding is crucial for comprehending Jesus' capacity to perform divine works and His role in salvation [14]. As the "faithful witness" and "ruler of all the kings of the world," Jesus serves as a model for proclaiming the Gospel and demonstrates His absolute Lordship [8].
The theological significance of Christ as the image of God extends to His mediatorial role. He is "one God, one also is mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5 YLT) [6]. This unique position allows Him to bridge the gap between God and humanity, making God visible and knowable [2]. Through Christ, believers are able to know "him that is true," referring to God, and by extension, Jesus Himself, who is also "He that is true" [9]. The belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is foundational to Christian faith and signifies being "born of God" (1 John 5:1) [3].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word, The — (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God " and "was God," and was the Creator of all things (comp. Ps. 33: 6; 107:20; 119:89; 147:18; Isa. 40:8).”
- I John “I John 5:1 (Geneva1599) — Whosoeuer beleeueth that Iesus is that Christ, is borne of God: and euery one that loueth him, which begate, loueth him also which is begotten of him.”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:15 (NASB) — He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 2:5 (YLT) — for one <FI>is<Fi> God, one also <FI>is<Fi> mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus,”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:15: They who have experienced in themselves "redemption" (Col 1:14), know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15-17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18-20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15-16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. image--exact likeness and perfect Representative.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 1:5: 1:5-6 In this doxology, John gives reasons for praising Jesus. • Doxologies often conclude with the confessional Amen (see Rom 11:36; Phil 4:20), which expresses affirmation. 1:5 John gives three descriptions of Jesus Christ. (1) As the faithful witness, Jesus is our model for proclaiming the Good News of salvation (1:2). (2) The truth that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead is foundational to Christian faith (1 Cor 15:14, 17). (3) As ruler of all the kings of the world (see also Rev 17:14; 19:16), he is the absolute Lord of everything. Inhabitants of th”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:20: Summary of our Christian privileges. is come--is present, having come. "HE IS HERE--all is full of Him--His incarnation, work, and abiding presence, is to us a living fact" [ALFORD]. given us an understanding--Christ's, office is to give the inner spiritual understanding to discern the things of God. that we may know--Some oldest manuscripts read, "(so) that we know." him that is true--God, as opposed to every kind of idol or false god (Jo1 5:21). Jesus, by virtue of His oneness with God, is also "He that is true" (Rev 3:7). even--"we are in ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily III. Colossians i. 15–18 “Who is the Image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation: for in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church.” To-day it is necessary for me to pay the debt, which yesterday 732 732 See Hom. ii. § 3 fin. I deferred,”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:7: Argument, also, from man's more immediate relation to God, and the woman's to man. he is . . . image . . . glory of God--being created in God's "image," first and directly: the woman, subsequently, and indirectly, through the mediation of man. Man is the representative of God's "glory" this ideal of man being realized most fully in the Son of man (Psa 8:4-5; compare Co2 8:23). Man is declared in Scripture to be both the "image," and in the "likeness," of God (compare Jam 3:9). But "image" alone is applied to the Son of God (Col 1:15; compare H”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:15: 1:15-20 Paul presents Jesus as the supreme creator (1:15-17) and redeemer (1:18-20). The series of short statements, the exalted conceptions of Christ, and the parallelism in language and thought strongly suggest that these verses quote an early Christian hymn about Jesus that Paul applied to the situation of the Colossian Christians. 1:15 visible image: In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, eikōn (“image, representation”) is used to refer to human beings having been made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27) and also to the wisdom figure in Jewish writin”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:19: Proof of the unchangeableness of the doctrine from the unchangeableness of the subject of it, namely, Jesus Christ. He is called "the Son of God" to show the impossibility of change in One who is co-equal with God himself (compare Sa1 15:29; Mal 3:6). by me . . . Silvanus and Timotheus--The Son of God, though preached by different preachers, was one and the same, unchangeable. Silvanus is contracted into Silas (Act 15:22; compare Pe1 5:12). in him was yea--Greek, "is made yea in Him"; that is, our preaching of the Son of God is confirmed as ”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 14:9: 14:9 Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! Cp. 1:1-2. Jesus Christ is God-in-the-flesh (1:14), which explains his capacity to accomplish divine works. Jesus did not simply teach about God; in him God can be found. Jesus’ remarkable statement echoed what he had said at Hanukkah: “The Father and I are one” (10:30). This claim is at the root of the world’s opposition to Christ (5:18).”