In Paul’s final canonical letter, and now facing certain execution at the hands of the Romans, we would expect Paul to at least make some mention of the doctrine of Trinity, if it is true, since it is purportedly the “primary doctrine of Christianity”. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1 NIV). “Christ Jesus” and “God” are introduced here in the opening line of Paul’s letter to Timothy. There is no mention in this opening greeting of the holy Spirit, or a Trinity. Why not, if the holy Spirit is a person, and the Trinity is true doctrine. God, not Jesus, obviously is the one who is supreme, since Paul is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God“. There is no mention, nor is there any evidence of, any personhood of holy Spirit, or of any “equality” between God and Jesus, or the existence of a Trinity “Godhead”.read more
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 John 4:1 NIV) Is the Trinity in James?
Is the Trinity in James? James’ short general letter to early Christians doesn’t have a plethora of references to God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit, but what it does have is more than enough to figure out whether the Trinity doctrine is in the book of James. First of all, notice who James is a servant of:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NIV). We immediately notice that “God” is identified as being someone other than “the Lord Jesus Christ”. James identifies himself as serving two distinct personages, namely Almighty God and Jesus Christ. These two are not mysteriously merged together, as Trinitarians assert. Their distinctive separateness is maintained. Notable by absence are references to the Trinity and the holy Spirit. If these are real, why isn’t James serving them?—Perhaps because the Trinity is fictional. He’s not serving the holy Spirit because it is not a person, even though it is real. “The holy Spirit” is called “it” at John 1:32 (ESV); 14:17 (NAB, REB), Acts 2:33; 8:16; 11:15 NAB, and Romans 8:16,26,27 (NAB; REB). Persons are not called “it”. The holy Spirit is God’s “power” (Acts 1:8), not a person.read more
Is the Trinity doctrine in the book of Colossians? Let’s examine all the verses in this Bible book where God and Jesus are mentioned in relation to each other. Also. let’s look for any references to the holy Spirit, which is said to be the third person of the Trinity. Then, let’s see whether what Bible says agrees with Trinitarianism, or proves it to be false. Notice all the references in this letter to the superior position of Almighty God toward his Son, Jesus Christ, and the subordinate position of Jesus Christ in relation to his heavenly Father.read more
2 Peter—Is Jesus Christ Almighty God, or Part of a Trinity?
Trinitarian bias has influenced translators to render the first verse of the letter of 2 Peter in a way that makes it appear as though Jesus is Almighty God. For example,
“by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1ESV). read more
“There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all”—1 Timothy 2:5,6 NIV
“Mediator. One who represents God to humans and humans to God–and who removes all alienation between them by offering himself as a ransom for ‘all'”—NIV Study Bible footnote on 1 Timothy 2:5
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the mediator BETWEEN God and mankind.
“GOD-MAN” MEDIATOR CLAIMS
Trinitarians claim that Jesus is God, and their “God-man” also. How do they explain this apparent contradiction?
They claim that only Jesus could be the mediator because he is the “God-man”, that is, he’s “fully god, fully man”, they claim”, thus being part and parcel of both parties he represents.
Jesus is the Mediator between God and mankind. Yet, Trinitarians claim Jesus is also God, and call him “God-man.”Trinitarians say: “Jesus MUST be God in order to be our mediator.”
That is the crux of their argument. Since there is nothing in the scriptures to support such an idea, Trinitarians resort to equivocation by changing the meaning of “mediator”, since Jesus being the mediator BETWEEN humans and God (1 Timothy 2:5) presents a huge problem for their Trinity doctrine. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
Trinitarians ask: “If he did not share God’s nature, how could he bring us to God and God to us?”
“GOD-MAN” MEDIATOR CONCEPT IS SELF-DEFEATING
And the Biblical answer is…
“Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. THAT IS WHY HE IS THE ONE WHO MEDIATES a new covenant between God and people” (Hebrews 9:14-15 NLT).read more
Are God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit a Trinity in 2 Thessalonians?
In the Bible book of 2 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul speaks of God, Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit. If Paul and/or the early Christians believed Jesus is God or part of a Trinity, we should be able to find evidence of this in the New Testament letters. But is this the case in 2 Thessalonians? Is the Trinity in 2 Thessalonians? Let’s examine some of the pertinent verses to find out.
Paul speaks of both God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit in 2 Thessalonians. But does he believe God is a Trinity?
We’re going to take a look at the relationship between God and Jesus in this short article about the Bible book of 2 John. Is there any indication that Jesus is God, or is equal to God? What about the holy Spirit? Is it mentioned in this letter? Are God and Jesus the same person, or are they two separate and distinct individuals? Is the Trinity in the letter of 2 John? Let’s find out.
SCRIPTURAL EXAMINATION
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son.” (2 John 1:3) Notice the conjunction “and” separates “God the Father” and “the Father’s Son”. Obviously, they are separate and distinct, with Jesus identified, not as “God the Son,” an expression that occurs nowhere in the Bible, but as “the Father’s Son.” We also notice that greetings do not come from the holy Spirit, which is very unusual if it is a person. Many other Scriptures indicate that “the Spirit of God” (Matthew 12:28) is a real force (Luke 1:17; Acts 1:8), but not a person (Luke 12:12: Matthew 10:20).
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 1:7 LSB; NASBread more
Is the Trinity in Philippians? Is Jesus Christ Almighty God?
This article is part of our series about what is stated concerning God, Jesus and the holy Spirit, and whether they together comprise a Trinity, in the various books of the New Testament. We will examine the four chapter book of Philippians. Notice the distinctive relationship between God and Jesus throughout this book of Philippians, especially the superior role of God compared to Jesus. What does it say about the holy Spirit? Is the Trinity in Philippians?
Is the Trinity found in Philippians? The superior role of God compared to Jesus is evident from the Bible book of Philippians
“To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi.” (Philippians 1:1) Notice they are God’s, not Christ’s, holy people. God is always the one in control, and is using Christ to gather his people, which shows his superiority over Christ, and eliminates the equality aspect of the Trinity doctrine (John 14:28).
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:2,8) God and Jesus are presented as separate and distinct, not of the same “being”, “substance”, or “essence”. The holy Spirit, since it is not a person, does not give greetings. Neither does the Trinity, since it doesn’t exist.
“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11) Fruitage from God flows through Jesus and brings glory and praise to God. God is presented is someone other than Jesus, and superior to Jesus (John 14:28), which doesn’t support the Trinity doctrine.
“I thank my God . . . always offering prayer . . . that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus . . . in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:3-6 LSB). The apostle Paul offers prayer to God, who began a good work in the Philippians, and will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. This phraseology gives us good evidence that God is someone other than Christ Jesus. Just as Paul was determined to defend and confirm this truth of the gospel, so are we at this website. We will always defend the truth that God the Father is the God of Jesus Christ, proving that Jesus is neither God, nor equal to God.
“the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19 LSB). Although it takes quite an imaginative stretch, some have read into Philippians 1:19 that the holy Spirit is God. Renderings such as the NAB, personify the holy Spirit: “This will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ”. Trinitarians equivocate this personification, ‘twisting the scripture’ (2 Peter 3:16), claiming “the spirit” is a person, in their attempt to prop up their dogma. However, in the Bible there are many personifications used. While “spirit” is equivocated into a person, no one equivocates “water and blood” (1 John 5:8) into persons. The NIV rendering makes it even clearer that the holy Spirit can’t be God: “God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”. However, since Jesus was “exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth” (Acts 2:33 NAB). The holy Spirit is described as “it”, which is indicative that it’s not a person. The scriptures describe it as “the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32 NAB), indicating that Almighty God is in ultimate control of the holy Spirit. Since God the Father distributes the holy Spirit through Jesus, the terms, “the Spirit of God”, and “the Spirit of Christ”, describe the same thing, and are interchangeable.
“Participation in the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1 ESV). Since some versions render this as, “fellowship of the Spirit”, Trinitarians have claimed this means the holy Spirit is a person. However, the rendering “participation in the Spirit” is more accurate. We can’t participate in a person. But we can “have a share in his Spirit” (1 John 4:13 NJB). All this gives evidence that the holy Spirit isn’t a person. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:6 LSB; NASB).
“Who, although he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance”—Philippians 2:6,7 NAB
If Jesus was God, it would make no sense to say that he was “in the form of God.” Thus, being,”in the form of God”, means that Jesus is not God!
“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8,9 NIV) God is clearly shown to be someone other than Christ. Notice the even more clarified rendering, “Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name” (Philippians 2:9 NRSVUE). “This clearly excludes God, since God put everything under Christ’s authority” (1 Corinthians 15:27 GWT). Christ’s name “is above every other name” except Yahweh.“Yahweh” is “the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:19 LSB).
Jesus’ obedience bespeaks of his submission to his Father. Indeed, “He learned obedience from the things He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8 LSB). His death means he is not God, and not eternal, since he was not in existence while he “was dead” (Revelation 1:18). The scriptures make clear that “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB). “God,” the superior one, “highly exalted” Jesus, “and gave him the name that is above every name.” not the other way around. Thus, three Trinitarian pillars of Jesus being God, eternal, and equal, are eliminated by these scriptures, which glides right over the heads of Trinitarians!
Trinitarians claim “Jesus has been God, equal to the Father, from eternity.” If that was true, then his getting a name above every name, would mean he’s greater than the Father, which contradicts their own dogma. What is the ‘name Jesus was given, above every name’? The scriptures foretold it, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 LSB).
Philippians 2:10,11a – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord” (NIV). Trinitarians often stop their quote of the scripture at this point, and use this to “prove” that Jesus is God. Here is a typical example of a Trinitarian claim:
“God the Father stated, “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isaiah 45:23). The same exact description is also applied to Jesus (Philippians 2:10-11). This means that both the Father and the Son are Yahweh.”
However, when we actually look at the rest of the scripture, we find that it is, “to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11b NIV) that ‘every knee shall bend down to Jesus’. By reading the full scripture, we find that the scripture actually proves that Jesus is inferior to God the Father, contradicting the equality claim of the Trinity doctrine. Trinitarians also claim that because Jesus is called “Lord” — that makes him God. But here we see that is not the case. Let’s look at the scripture and see who is called God — “The Father” is the one who is “God”, not “the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“It is we who are in the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3 NRSV). Christians serve God and worship him, not Christ Jesus (John 4:23). Notice, though, that they do it “in the Spirit of God.” “In the Spirit,” and “the Spirit of God,” are evidences that the holy Spirit is not a person. “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3World English Bible). From this translation, we notice even more clearly that “God” is the one to be properly worshipped, not Jesus.
“But that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection . . . becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow attaining to the resurrection from the dead. The prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:9-11,14 NIV). “God” is shown to be someone other than “Christ”. The righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ. God calls Paul heavenward through Jesus. God and Christ are separate individuals, with God the Father as superior, which eliminates the equality aspect of the Trinity doctrine. Also, the text shows that “Christ died” (1 Corinthians 15:3), and “God resurrected this Jesus” (Acts 2:32 HCSB), so Christ can’t be God, because “God . . . will never die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV). This eliminates the “eternal” aspect of the Trinity doctrine.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7NIV)“Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 GNB). “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) God the Father is superior, and he uses Christ Jesus as his “representative” (John 5:43 Williams) agent to help humans. “My God” is obviously the Father. His gift is “Christ Jesus,” as his “representative” (John 5:43 Williams). Therefore, Jesus cannot be God!
CONCLUSION
In Philippians, we find the distinctive relationship between God and Jesus. They are not equals (John 14:28). The superior role of God compared to Jesus is evident upon examination of the verse. The holy spirit is clearly shown not to be person in Philippians, so for that reason alone, there is no Trinity in Philippians.
All scriptures quoted from New International Version (NIV) unless noted otherwise.
For more information related to this subject, please also see the following article on this website:
This article is one of a series about what is stated concerning Jesus in the various books of the New Testament, the book of Ephesians. Almighty God and the holy Spirit are also discussed to see if there is any evidence of a Trinity doctrine in this Biblical letter, which is all about doctrine. A key component of the Trinity doctrine is that the holy Spirit is a person. In this article, we’ll see whether the Trinity is in Ephesians.
The Book of Ephesians provides some clues as to whether or not Jesus Christ is Almighty God
Ephesians 1:1,2 – “…an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God . . . from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” God are Jesus are separate individuals as we can see from this scriptural text. “To God’s holy people in Ephesus… in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice how many times in this letter God and Jesus are both mentioned, but as separate and distinct persons, with God being superior, the “greater” (John 14:28), and Jesus as inferior. Paul is “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”! Why is it not God’s will that Paul also be an apostle of the holy Spirit, or the Trinity? Why is the letter not also from the holy Spirit or the Trinity? It’s because the holy Spirit is not a person, and the Trinity isn’t in Ephesians, nor does it exist!
Ephesians 1:3 – “…to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse clearly indicates that Jesus has a God over him. This God of Jesus is his Father. Someone who has God over him cannot be God. The fact that Jesus is called “Lord” obviously doesn’t make him God. This is further confirmed by other scriptures, such as, “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3), “God, your God” (Hebrews 1:9), “his God and Father” (Revelation 1:6).
Ephesians 1:5-7 – “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ . . .we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins” ” (NLT). God, as superior, is obviously calling the shots, operating through his Son Jesus Christ. Almighty God the Father, who is the one in control, gave Jesus as redeemer of sinful humans. God, the purchaser, “purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son”. This means that “Christ died” (1 Corinthians 15:3), whereas “God . . . will not die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV). As the famous scripture says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16 LSB). “God” is clearly shown to be someone other than “his Son”.
Ephesians 1:9,12 – “He [God] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.”(NIV). “God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God” (NLT). God is the one who decided in advance what was going to happen, in Christ. God “purposed in Christ”, meaning he is the one in control, not Christ. God is shown to be someone other than Christ. These verses emphasizes the fact that Almighty God is the one who is in total control. We don’t find the Trinity in Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:13,14 – “You . . . were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory” (NAB). Most translations translate the Greek word “ho” as “who”, after the word “Spirit”, to convey the idea that it is a person, due to Trinitarian bias. However, here, believers are “sealed” with the holy Spirit, which is referred to, not as a person, but as an “installment”. An “installment” cannot be a person, in contrast to the Trinity doctrine, which declares the holy Spirit to be a person. The NAB accurately renders the Greek “ho” as “which”, instead of “who”. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses.
Ephesians 1:15,17 – “Your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people . . . that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father” (NIV). Once again, God is shown to be someone other than Jesus. Who is the God of Jesus? – His Father! Someone who has God over them cannot be God. Therefore Jesus cannot be God. Without Jesus being God, the Trinity doctrine collapses, and the Trinity is absent from Ephesians.
=&0=&– “He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms . . . God placed all things under his [Jesus’] feet and appointed him [Jesus] to be head” (NIV). God, the superior one, resurrected Jesus, who “was dead” (Revelation 1:18). “Christ died” (1 Corinthians 15:3), but “God” cannot “die” (Habakkuk 1:12 NIV). “God” then placed “Christ . . . at his right hand”. Since God put all things under Jesus and appointed Jesus head of the church, God is obviously more powerful, that is, “greater than” Jesus (John 14:28). God is obviously someone other than Christ. These verses eliminate the eternity and equality claims of the Trinity dogma.
Ephesians 2:4-7 – “God… made us alive with Christ.” “God raised us up with Christ.” “That… he might show… his grace… expressed… in Christ Jesus.” God is the one in charge and uses Christ to accomplish his purposes. God is presented by the scriptures as being supreme, and in total control of Jesus Christ, and is more powerful, that is, “greater than” Jesus (John 14:28). God is shown to be someone other than Christ. These verses eliminate both the eternity and equality claims of the Trinity dogma. We don’t find the Trinity in Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:18 – “It is through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (ESV). “Access” to God the Father is gained, not only “through” Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and but also “in” the holy Spirit. “In one Spirit” indicates the holy Spirit is not a person. God operates “through” Jesus Christ to give his worshippers access to himself by means of the holy Spirit. This scripture presents God as superior to Christ (John 14:28), and the holy Spirit as being inanimate. This verse eliminates both the eternity and equality claims of the Trinity dogma.
Ephesians 2:20,22 – “built . . . with Christ himself as the chief cornerstone . . . in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (NIV). In this metaphor, Christ is part of the building that God lives in. Who is greater? Part of the building, or the One who owns and lives there? – Obviously, the owner, who is also the resident, God the Father, is greater than the building, or any part of it, namely his Son, Jesus Christ. Also, the holy Spirit is referred to as ‘God’s Spirit’, indicating that it is not a person. This is powerful evidence that God the Father is much “greater than” Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Without equality between the Father and the Son, and without the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses under the weight of the scriptures.
Ephesians 3:8-9,11 – “Proclaiming . . . the good news of the unfathomable riches of Christ. . . of bringing to light how this hidden purpose was to be put into effect. It lay concealed for long ages with God the Creator of the universe . . . This accords with his age-long purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (REB). “God the Creator” owns and controls “the unfathomable riches of Christ.” Paul says that God revealed ‘this age-long hidden purpose’ by using Christ, again indicating that God “the Father is greater than” his Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:28).”God the Creator” is obviously the one who is in control, not “Christ Jesus”.
Ephesians 3:11-12 – “Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have freedom of access to God, with the confidence born of trust in him” (REB). “God” is presented as someone other than “Christ Jesus”. Approach, or access, to “God” is through “Christ Jesus” (John 14:9). “The phrase underscores the exclusivity of Christ as the mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5)” (Bible Hub Study Bible). “The mediator between God and humanity” obviously cannot be God. God is clearly “greater than” Jesus (John 14:28). Without the Son of God, Christ Jesus being God, and without equality between them, the pillars of the Trinity are removed.
Ephesians 3:14-15 – “For this reason I kneel in prayer to the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name”(REB). Paul ‘kneels’ in reverent submission and prayer to the heavenly Father, as superior, even over Jesus. In Ephesians, “God” is identified as “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Although Trinitarians often pray to Jesus, there is no Biblical direction to do so, nor are there any Biblical examples of anyone doing so . Jesus himself directed his disciples, including us, to pray to “our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9), not to the Son, or the holy Spirit, or Trinity. “Every family: in the Greek there is wordplay on the word for the Father (patria, pater). The phrase could also mean ‘God’s whole family’ (cf. 2:21). ‘Every family’s name’ comes from the God Father, not the Son, not the holy Spirit, or the Trinity
Ephesians 3:16-17– “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with powers through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (NIV). As Paul continues his prayer, he prays that God the Father may strengthen the Ephesian Christians through his Spirit, that Christ may be in their hearts through faith. The holy Spirit is thus identified as God’s Spirit, which indicates it is not a person. “The holy Spirit” (Luke 12:12 NAB) is “the Spirit of your Father” (Matthew 10:20), so it can’t be a person. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses.
Ephesians 3:19 – “That you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (ESV). Trinitarians assert that since ‘Christ has all the fullness of God’ (Colossians 2:9), that he’s God. But, in their eagerness to support their dogma, Ephesians 3:19 goes right over their heads. Ephesians 3:19 tells us that Christians can also be “filled with all the fullness of God”. So, if we follow the same Trinitarian reasoning that they use for Colossians 2:9, Ephesians 3:19 makes Christians God as well, which is obviously absurd! Thus, by referencing and reasoning on all the scriptures, we can see that Christ cannot be God.
Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) God, the one ‘who can do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine’, is the one is in control with all power, and who gives Jesus power. Revelation 21:22 shows us that “the Lamb”, Jesus Christ, is not “the Lord God Almighty”. Once again, we see more evidence here in Ephesians 3:20-21, in fact the entire Bible, that there is no equality between God the Father and Jesus. Without equality, the Trinity doctrine collapses.
Ephesians 4:5-6 – “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”(ESV) Jesus is the “one Lord” here, and Yahweh, his Father, is the “one God.” The Greek word “one” here is “heis”, meaning the numeral “one”, which eliminates the possibility that either God or Jesus could be more than one person. They are each only one person. Together they make up “two” persons (John 8:17,18), but not one “substance”, “being”, or “essence”. A key takeaway from this verse is that the “one God” does not include the “one Lord”, who is Jesus Christ. Without Jesus being God, the Trinity doctrine collapses, and we can’t find the Trinity in Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:13 – “And of the full knowledge of the Son of God . . . to the measure of stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (LSB) Notice that here, as elsewhere in the Bible, “Christ” is referred to as “the Son of God”, and not “God the Son,” a Trinitarian term which is never used in the Bible. Trinitarians teach and preach “a different Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4 NLT), who has been “fully God from eternity”. But the Bible says “Jesus of Nazareth, was a man accredited by God” (Acts 2:22 NIV), God’s “only begotten Son” (John 3:16 LSB). Being “accredited by God” means Jesus can’t be God, and being God’s “only begotten Son” means his life had an “origin” (Micah 5:2 NRSV), whereas Almighty God the Father has existed “from eternity” (Psalm 90:2 NAB). So the Trinity isn’t in Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the h=&13=&The language here, “the holy Spirit of God, WITH which you were sealed”, strongly suggests the holy Spirit is not a person. This is not the type of language, or description, of a person. “The holy Spirit” (Luke 12:12 NAB), is “the Spirit of God” (Matthew 3:14), which is also “the Spirit of your Father” (Matthew 10:20), and not a person, as Trinitarians assert. This is very similar to the statement, “Yahweh . . . was grieved in His heart” (Genesis 6:6 LSB). The holy Spirit is not God, but represents Yahweh God, the Father. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the 3-in-1 Trinity doctrine collapses.
Ephesians 4:31; 5:2 – “Just as in Christ God forgave you . . . Just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (NIV) Almighty God forgives those who are “in Christ.” God forgives us through Christ. “God” is mentioned as being someone other than Christ, since ‘Christ offered his sacrifice to God’. The inferior offers the sacrifice to the greater, that is, Christ offered himself as a sacrifice to God. “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3), but “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB).Therefore, Jesus cannot be Almighty God, and the Trinity isn’t in Ephesians.
Ephesians 5:5,20 – “In the kingdom of Christ and of God . . . Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV) “Of Christ and of God”, means that here we have both shown to be two entirely separate and distinct individuals, who are not of the same “being”, “substance”, or “essence”. The titles “Christ” and “Father” clearly distinguish their distinct personages and roles. Notice that thanks are given in prayer to “God the Father”, as the Almighty God that he is, “through” (John 14:6) “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”, the Son of God, but inferior to God the Father, who is “greater” (John 14:28).
Ephesians 6:6,23 – “As slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Peace . . . and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV) “Christ” and “God” are clearly distinguished, as separate individuals. Notice that Christians are “doing the will of God”, not ‘the will of Christ’, which emphasizes the superiority of God over Christ (John 14:28). Paul imparts love from God “and” Jesus as separate individuals working together, but not from the holy Spirit. Why? Because the holy Spirit is not a person. Without equality between God and Christ, and the holy Spirit being a person, the Trinity doctrine collapses.
CONCLUSION
So as we can see from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, there is a definite distinction drawn between Jesus and God. We even find reference in the Book of Ephesians to “the God of” Jesus. This means that God is superior to Jesus, so Jesus could not be Almighty God. Additionally, the holy Spirit is shown not to be a person, which, in itself, eliminates the Trinity doctrine.
The Trinity is not found in Ephesians.
For more information related to this subject, please see the following article on this website:
“Is the Trinity in Philippians? Is Jesus Christ Almighty God?” –
https://bibleauthenticity.com/trinity-jesus-christ-god-philippians/read more
Can a Believer in the Trinity Have a Relationship with God?
The vast majority of Christian churches and preachers teach that the Trinity doctrine is true, and is a vitally important Biblical message. On this basis, therefore many sincere Christians believe in the Trinity doctrine. Can a believer in the Trinity have a relationship with God?
