Browse / Scripture Commentary / Comment
Paula

Paula

2008-02-01

1 Cor. 15:20-28 is one of those cases where we have to pay careful attention to the difference between God (theos) and Father (pater). God means all of God; I can’t find any way to restrict “theos” to only part of the Trinity. So let’s see what it says in a literal reading starting with vs. 24, where we start seeing “theos” and “pater”:

24 Then the end, when he shall have given up the kingdom to him who [is] God and Father… 28 … then also himself the Son will be put in subjection to him who put in subjection to him all things, that may be God all in all.

But the real problem is in the many pronouns, the “hims”. If we look closely, the only thing that is clearly given to the Father alone is “the kingdom”. From there, the “hims” refer to Jesus, or vs. 27’s disclaimer wouldn’t be needed.

So my view is that Jesus hands the Father the kingdom, and everything else is subject to Jesus, except the Father. What it doesn’t mean is that Jesus Himself is subjected to the Father.

Your Tags

Personal labels you apply to any item — separate from system topics. Tags are shared across all databases. Visit /tags to browse all your tags.

...more