Anti-Trinitarians appeal to the following text to prove that Jesus is a mere human being who is personally distinguished from the one God before and for whom he mediates:

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

What makes this rather ironic is that, instead of denying the Deity of Christ, this passage actually presupposes it!

This can be seen from the claim that Christ gave himself as a ransom for all mankind, a work which the Lord himself stated is humanly impossible to achieve, and which God alone is able to carry out:

“The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Mark 10:26-27, 45

Jesus must, therefore, be more than a man seeing that he does what God alone is capable of doing, and which is impossible for a mere human creature to accomplish.

Later in this same epistle Paul will further corroborate this point since he goes on to write the following concerning the risen Lord:

“In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which HE will bring about at the right time—HE WHO is the blessed and ONLY Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is HE ALONE WHO has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, WHOM no one has ever seen or can see; to HIM be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:13-16 (NRSVUE)

Here Christ is explicitly said to be the only sovereign heavenly Ruler, being the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is intrinsically immortal, dwelling in light that no one can see, and is therefore worthy of receiving honor forever!

Paul wasn’t the only Spirit-filled writer to describe the risen Son in such an exalted manner:

“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. ‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all peoples on earth ‘will mourn because of him.’ So shall it be! Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’ I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.’ I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.’” Revelation 1:5-18

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 – Cf. 19:16

Astonishingly, Jesus is described in the exact same manner that the OT depicts Jehovah Almighty!

For instance, it is Jehovah who is the Lord of lords:

“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” Deuteronomy 10:17

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:3

And the First and the Last:

“This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6

“For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.” Isaiah 48:11-12

Whose voice is as the sound of rushing waters:

“When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” Ezekiel 1:24-28

And who appeared to Daniel as the Ancient of Days with white hair as wool, before whom the Son of Man approached to reign with him forever over all the nations who shall be required to worship this exalted Human figure:

“As I looked, ‘thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened… In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.’” Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Jehovah is also the One whom the Israelites will mourn for piercing him through when he comes to deliver the remnant of his people:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on ME, THE ONE they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one
…and grieves for a firstborn son.” Zechariah 12:10

What makes the foregoing all the more remarkable is that John depicts Jesus as being both the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man, obviously to denote the fact that like the Father Jesus is uncreated and beginningless, and therefore ancient.

The Apostle even has the same reaction that Ezekiel did when he saw the glory of Jehovah, namely, both of these Holy Spirit-filled emissaries fell down when beholding the visible presence of God Almighty.

It is thus clear that Jesus is not a mere human, but is Jehovah God Almighty in the flesh, being essentially one with the Father who himself is identified as the one God.

The foregoing helps us appreciate why Paul would even go as far as to identify the risen Son as the Great God!

“while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (tou megalou Theou kai soteros hemon ‘Iesou Christou), who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:13-14

The Apostle Peter did likewise:

“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ (tou Theou hemon kai soteros ‘Iesou Christou) have received a faith as precious as ours:… and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (tou Kyriou hemon kai soteros ‘Iesou Christou).” 2 Peter 1:1, 11

Not only is Christ the great God and Savior, he is also the One who redeemed and purified a people to be his own treasured possession.

The inspired Apostle has basically ascribed to Jesus the very language which the OT employs to describe Jehovah redeeming Israel to be his own unique possession:

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,” Exodus 19:5

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” Deuteronomy 7:6

Part Two

“for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.” Deuteronomy 14:2

“Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.” Psalm 130:7-8

“They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 37:23

This in itself sufficiently proves that Jesus is God Almighty, since he is again described as doing that which God alone does.

With that said, noted Evangelical scholar and Bible expositor Murray J. Harris shows why the grammar and language employed in Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1 conclusively point to Christ as the God who saves:

“The expression theos kai soter was a stereotyped formula common in first-century religious terminology (see Wendland), was (apparently) used by both Diaspora and Palestinian Jews in reference to Yahweh, and invariably denoted one deity, not two. If the name ‘Iesous Christos did not follow the expression, undoubtedly it would be taken to refer to one person; yet ‘Iesous Christos is simply added in epexegesis… it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that, whatever the date of Titus, one impulse behind this particular verse was the desire to combat the extravagant titular endowment that had been accorded to human rulers such as Antiochus Epiphanes (theos epiphanes), Ptolemy I (soter kai theos), or Julius Caesar (theos kai soter), or to claim exclusively for the Christians’ Lord the divine honors freely granted to goddesses such as Aphrodite and Artemis or to gods such as Asclepius and Zeus.

Consequently, if one reason for the use of the phrase theos kai soter was polemical, it is unlikely that two elements of the phrase should be divorced, with theos denoting God the Father and soter Jesus Christ.”

Elsewhere he writes:

“Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1 may be considered together, since both use a stereotyped formula, ‘God and Savior,’ in reference to Jesus. This was a common formula in first-century religious terminology, used by both Palestinian and Diaspora Jews in reference to Yahweh, the one true God, and by Gentiles when they spoke of an individual god or a deified ruler. In all of these uses the expression God and Savior invariably denotes one deity, not two, so that when Paul and Peter employ this formula and follow it with the name Jesus Christ, their readers would always understand it as referring to a single person, Jesus Christ. It would simply not occur to them that ‘God’ might mean the Father, with Jesus Christ as the ‘Savior.’”

Harris rightly concludes:

“In the light of the foregoing evidence, it seems highly probable that in Titus 2:13 Jesus Christ is called ‘our great God and Savior,’ a verdict shared, with varying degrees of assurance, by almost all grammarians and lexicographers, many commentators, and many writers on NT theology or Christology, although there are some dissenting voices.”

Part Three

(3) The phrase theos kai soter, “God and savior,” was a set phrase in Hellenistic language… AND ALWAYS REFERRED TO ONE PERSON, such as Ptolemy I… Antiochus Epiphanes… and Julius Caesar… Moulton comments, “Familiarity with the everlasting apotheosis that flaunts itself in the papyri and inscriptions of Ptolemaic and Imperial times, lends strong support to Wendland’s contention that Christians… deliberately annexed for their Divine Master the phraseology that was impiously arrogated to themselves by some of the worst men”…

(4) When Paul speaks of the “appearing of the glory of our great God,” he ties “appearing” and “God” together. Yet epiphaneia, “appearing,” in Paul always refers to Jesus’ second coming and never to God…

(5) Marshall… adds the following arguments: (a) Jesus, as Lord, is the judge, which is the sole prerogative of God… (b) Jesus and God are placed side by side… (c) both are given the title “savior”… (d) spiritual blessings come from both… (e) both are “objects of the writer’s service”… If Jesus has the position and function of God, then he can “probably” be called God.

Fortunately the doctrine of Christ’s divinity does not rest on this verse. But the question of what Paul is saying here is still important, and it seems that he is making a christological pronouncement on the divinity of Christ. This is the most natural reading of the text, is required by the grammar, concurs with Paul’s use of epiphaneia, “appearing,” accounts for the singular use of the phrase “God and savior” in secular thought, and fits the context well.

The foregoing helps us appreciate the ease with which Paul employs the term Savior for both God and Christ:

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father AND Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:1-2

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that HE is able to guard what I have entrusted to HIM until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:7-12

“and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Titus 1:3-4

“and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:10-12

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He save… Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

For this holy Apostle, both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are one in essence, power and glory, even though they are personally distinct from each other, with the Son also being a man by virtue of taking to himself a human nature which he has now glorified and immortalized.

In other words, Jesus Christ is the God-Man, the eternal Son who became and remains flesh forever and ever!

Unless stated otherwise, scriptural references are taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible.

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