Dave

Just some quick observations some of which I have made before that help me process some of these things…

By definition “subordination” amd “submission” are not the same.
For Jesus to be subordinate to the Father then he is “below” the Father in some “order”, be it essence…blah blah blah…!

Jesus, however, can submit to the will of the Father if He chooses without being “lower” than the Father in some type of hierarchy.

The head of Jesus is God – I believe meaning the Trinity. Get your head around that (no pun intended). Jesus (having the very fullness of God in him) comes from the Trinity…from the Father, the Spirit and wait for it…the Son! Jesus comes from Jesus (and the Father & the Spirit). Jesus is sent by the Father in some texts, but is sent by God in others. Jesus sends Jesus (as well as the Father & the Spirit).

I guess it would be safe to say that Jesus does the will of the Father, but that this will is not in conflict to the will of the Spirit or the will of the Son.

So, is there hierarchy in the Godhead? Not relevant, because the godhead is united in will and purpose, even though they are three distinct persons in will and purpose.

I believe that we are made in God’s image in a number of possible ways, but one is that Adam and Eve – two persons united as one flesh – looked a lot like the Trinity. The picture of the early church in Acts in believer united in will and purpose. When people are united in will and purpose there is no hierarchy nor any need for it!

That was my rant! I love thinking about the Trinity, we have an amazing God who models perfect relationships!