53 of 100: Who created the universe? – The Father created the universe and begot his son

1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Let us analyse the differences in the attributes attached to the Father and the son:

“but  to us there is   one  God  the father,  OF  (G1537 ) whom   are all things,  and  we  IN(  G1519)   him;

and

one   Lord  Jesus  Christ,  THROUGH  (G1223)  whom are all things,   and  we  BY  (G1223 ) him. ”

[Using the ABP+ bible with Strong’s reference for Greek]

A.

Paul teaches there are two distinct beings and that the Father is greater than the son and explains how their roles should influence the believer.

1. God the Father (The title Theos/Elohim)
2. Lord, Jesus (The title: kurios/Adonai)

(The title Theos is a greater title than kurios. The Title of Kyrios is a common human title and refers to anyone in relatively higher authority. It is a common human title. Example Sir, Master, etc. While Jesus is kyrios, the Father is kyrios and theos of Jesus. So often we see the expression ‘kurios of kurios’ to differentiate between the kurios.

Elohim is mostly used of the Father and those whom the Father shares it with. For example, Jesus quoted Psalms when he said (After declaring ‘I and the the Father are one’):

“If he called them THEOS, unto whom the word of THEOS came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of THEOS? – Joh 10:35, 36

So, generally people do not take on the title ‘Elohim’ in normal sense (like kurios) unless attributed to them. For instance judges were attributed the title Elohim, as they were to execute God’s judgments and righteousness on God’s behalf based on God’s word.

While Jesus is also a judge and Elohim, even Jesus has a Elohim – the Father, that is why in the gospels we find Jesus calling the Father as his God.

The point of this discussion and Paul’s statement is that The Father is always the greatest and the son second.

Please also refer to:

• Reason 29 of 100 [But to us there is but one God, the Father; and one Lord Jesus Christ – (1 Corinthians 8:6)]
• 38 of 100: Worshiping the MAN Jesus

B.

1. God the Father —> “OF” whom are all things
2. Jesus Christ —> “THROUGH” or “BECAUSE” whom are all things

Yahweh God and Father, is the Author and origin of all things including Jesus and Jesus is the reason behind the creation. God the Father is the source, Jesus is not.

C.

1. God the Father —> we “IN” him
2. Jesus Christ —> “By” or “THROUGH”

Definitions ‘of’, ‘by’, ‘through’, ‘in’ – understanding the differences

• By/through/because ‘dia’

The same Greek word ‘dia’ (G1223) is used to translate ‘By’ and ‘Through’ in relationship to Jesus. The through relationship is symbolic of mediator-ship role. That as we can be ‘IN’ the Father ‘BY/THROUGH’ the works of the Son.

Notice (G1223) usage for Jesus. ESV translation implies the explanation

(ESV)  yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Let us examine the definition of the greek word G1223   (Strong) διά (dia / dee-ah’) i.e. the word used of the Son / Jesus (Through whom)

A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import: – after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) . . . fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through (-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general import.

Examples of how ‘dia’ is translated in other parts:

“Therefore (KJV)/ Because (LITV)” Matthew 6:25

“ sake (KJV)/ on account (LITV) / because (TLV, LEB, ISV)” in Mat 10:22

“ therefore (KJV) /  On account of (ABP)” Mat 12:27

“ Wherefore (KJV) / Because of this (LITV)” Mat 12:31

“Sake (KJV)” Mat 14:3

“ Because (KJV)” Mat 17:20

etc.

Consider Matthew 13:58:

(KJV+)  And   he did   not  many   mighty works  there   because (G1223 ) of their   unbelief.

The translators could have also translated the above as:

• And   he did   not  many   mighty works  there   Through(G1223)  their   unbelief.
• And   he did   not  many   mighty works  there   by(G1223 ) their   unbelief.

So ‘διά ‘ is translated as ‘through’ or ‘by’ or ‘because’ based on the context and translator’s ability.

So if we relook at:

there is   one  God  the father,  OF  (G1537)  whom   are all things,

and

one   Lord  Jesus  Christ,  BECAUSE OF(G1223)  whom are all things ”

i.e.

God is the originator (OF WHOM ARE ALL THINGS)

God created the world BECAUSE of JESUS the eternal word of God. All things were created BECAUSE of Jesus.

• Of whom – ἐκ, ἐξ (ek, ex’)

Let us now examine the definition of the greek word G1537    (Strong) ἐκ, ἐξ (ek, ex’) i.e. the word used of the Father / God (OF whom)

A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote): – after, among, X are, at betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, . . . ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

Examples of how ‘ek, ex’ is translated in other parts:

“And Judas begat Phares and Zara OF (G1537 ) Thamar; “ Matthew 1:3

“she was found with child OF the Holy Ghost.”Matthew 1:18

“for  OUT ( G1537)  of thee  shall come  a Governor” Mat 2:6

“is known   by ( G1537 ) his fruit”

“a sign   from  (G15370  heaven. “ Mat 16:1

“Let no fruit   grow   on  G1537  thee “ Mat 21:19

This has the idea of origin as apparent of how it is used in genealogy. That is the Father is the Originator and Jesus is the reason behind the creation.

The big question is did Jesus exist as a physical being and then crawled into Mary’s womb? Peter explains as follows:

1Pe 1:20  indeed having been foreknown before the foundation of the world, but revealed in the last times because of you,

Jesus was “foreknown” before the foundation of the world as even are we. So he did not have a physical existence though scriptures may allegorically make references to Jesus’ preexistence.

The Greek word for foreknown is proginōskō / prog-in-oce’-ko

“to know beforehand, that is, foresee: – foreknow (ordain), know (before).”

Paul also taught they we are also foreknown of God

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

If we are known of the Father before the creation then we  had glory with the Father as much as Jesus had glory with the Father even before his existence. No doubt, Jesus’ glory was greater than ours.

When was the lamb slain?

Scriptures declare:

Revelation 13:8   (KJV) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev 13:8  (ESV) and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

While there is a translation difference, the calling has happened even before the worlds were created.

• Lamb slain from the foundation of the world

v/s

• Everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world

God referes to things are not yet as if they already or even past:

calls the things that are not, as though they were. – Romans 4:17

 Again, When were we chosen by God? At our birth or at our baptism? Scriptures declare ‘before the foundations of the world were laid”

Ephesians 1:4   (KJV)  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Again, When did our life start? Did we preexist? Scriptures again declare we were called even before the world began.

2 Timothy 1:9-10   (KJV) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

So based on 2 Timothy and Ephesians, and your faith, you can declare to some one that you were ordained to be rulers for the age to come even before the foundation of the world. Your listener, if ignorant of the context, is bound to assume that you physically existed before the world began! So, one may argue we also existed and like Jesus all of us crawled into our mother’s womb.

Just like we were foreknown of God, Jesus was also foreknown of God. (The Mormons actually believe we all preexisted  – may be based on the literal reading of the above verses or a different revelation?)

The scriptures declare that God promised things even before the world began!

Titus 1:2-3   (KJV) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

 Did Jesus pre-exist? John declares in his gospel Yes – but as the ‘word of God’. The word was then made flesh by the Holy spirit creating life in Mary’s womb. The ‘word’ is abstract – it is neither spirit nor flesh! Since it is God’s word it is alive!

• ‘in’  ἐν en

Col 1:16  for in (G1722  – see definition below) 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 (G1223 Because of ) him, and unto him;

• Let us examine G1722 : i.e. Col 1:16  “For IN (G1722 ) him were all things created“

Let us look at the translation examples of the Greek word ‘IN (G1722 )’

we have seen  his  star  in ( G1722)  the  east – Mat 2:2

Mat 2:18  In  ( G1722) Rama  was there a voice

Mat 3:6  And   were baptized  of   him   in ( G1722) Jordan

Mat 5:48 Father   which   is in  ( G1722)  heaven

etc.

KJV uses ‘by’ in correction, few translations use ‘in’ correctly

(LITV)  For all things were created in Him,

MKJV)  For all things were created in Him,

(RV)  for in him were all things created,

So what does it mean to create “IN” Jesus?

Jesus was destined to redeem the world from death. Salvation/Redemption of all beings  has been “based” on Jesus’ life:

Let us examine a few verses:

Redemption is “in” Jesus

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in (G1722 ) Christ Jesus:

Salvation is ‘in’ Jesus

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in (G1722 ) Christ Jesus,

Love of God is expressed through the life and death of Jesus

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sanctification is “in” Jesus

1Co 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

We are baptised into Christ Jesus and that Jesus is the way – God’s way for man’s salvation:

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption

Refer to this post to know more of the new covenant/creation in Jesus:

• 76 of 100: On “For in him were all things created” – Col 1:16

[Col 1:16 refers to the new creation n Christ and not the Genesis creation.]

John 1:3

We will now relook at John, this shows that Jesus existed in the MIND of God and was PART of GOD as the WORD /PURPOSE/LOGOS of God:

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God.

In the beginning was the word or wisdom and not a spirit.

 The universe came into being BECAUSE of Jesus.

Joh 1:3  All things were made[BECAUSE OF (G1223 )] him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The universe was created by YAHWEH

The universe was created by YAHWEH as taught in the Torah and the Prophets – Can then there be a contradiction between OT and NT?

Genesis claims Yahweh is the creator

Gen 2:4  This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh God made the earth and the heavens.

Gen 2:7  Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Gen 2:19  Out of the ground Yahweh God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name.

The Psalmist says Yahweh is the creator – The LOGOS connection – he spoke the world to existence:

Psa 148:5  Let them praise Yahweh’s name, For he commanded, and they were created.

Psalms 33:6   By Yahweh’s word, the heavens were made; all their army by the breath of his mouth.

Isaiah claims Yahweh is the creator

Isa 42:5  Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it.

Isa 45:18  For Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited says: “I am Yahweh; and there is no other.

Malachi states:

Mal 2:10  Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us?

New testament also bears witness that Father created the world:

Rev 4:11  “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”

Rev 10:6  and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay,

Rev 14:7  He said with a loud voice, “Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!”

1Ti 4:3  forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Mar 13:19  For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.

Act 4:24 When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;

Acts 14:15  “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;

Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands,

The LOGOS connection again: (God created the worlds by his word)

Heb 11:3  By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

So who created the world? – The answer is not to get confused but understand the verses in the correct context: God created the world BECAUSE of Jesus,

2 Peter 3:5  For this they willfully forget that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water by the word of God;

For trinitarians there is a battle who created the world? The Father or the son?

Given that the son himself is an begotten being, i.e. the son himself is created by the Father, The Father is true source.

Jesus himself declared the Father alone has eternal life and that Jesus had received it from the Father.

John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Also refer: Reason 34 of 100 [so hath he GIVEN to the Son to have life in himself]

Also there is no contradiction if the translators did not translate with Trinity bias – Let us relook at few New testament references with alternate rendering of the ‘through’ word:

Eph 3:9  and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through [because of (G1223 )] Jesus Christ;

Paul states that God created the world because of Jesus. {I think the Jehovah’s witness group claim Jesus created the world as many trinitarians assert, but the verse still shows God is still the source/creator. The OT scriptures and the NT scriptures say God the Father created the worlds, and do not contradict the idea anywhere.}

Refer this post for notes on Hebrews 1:10 – was the the son involved inc creation?

• 74 of 100: Is YHWH a trinity or is YHWH Jesus or is Yahweh a compound unity? YHWH is ONE – the Father [includes Mark 1:3, Hebrews 1:10]

Why is Jesus appointed a heir? If Jesus is the creator why should he be  appointed as heir?

Heb 1:2  has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through[BECAUSE] whom also he made the worlds.

Because Jesus was human and submitted to the full will of God, he was exalted (rewarded) and made hier of the  world.

God created the world because of Jesus and for Jesus. This is the glory Jesus had with the Father before the foundation of the world. This is why Jesus states in allegory

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

 To understand this concept we need to understand the language God uses when he gives prophecy etc.. God is able to refer to the future as the present by his power:

Romans 4:17  As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

Summary

1. Jesus existed as the ‘word of God’ as taught by John. Jesus was the very purpose and reason for God to create the world. The Father loves obedience and hates disobedience. The first man disobeyed and brought about a curse, the second son obeyed was was richly rewarded and exalted and brought about a blessing.

A creation without Jesus in God’s thoughts would be be a careless creation. God is a God of order so he gives the promise of the messiah as the hope for the otherwise hopeless world from the very beginning.

2. Jesus himself is a created being. He came into physical existence only at his birth. Till the time 1 CE/AD, Jesus was just a concept/mystery hidden with God. (word)

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Psalms 8:5

(CEV)  God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. (Ephesians 3:9)

Jesus came into existence when Mary delivered. Till then he was a concept – An essential and eternal concept i.e. the eternal word of God. At his birth the eternal word came to life and became a human. So, Jesus is very central to humanity. He is the purpose of God realised. Consider Jesus who did no sin and the righteous life he led when compared to his peers.

God  created Jesus by his spirit.

Jesus was called and son of God because of his birth by Mary. This is the testimony of the angel:

Luk 1:35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 

The disciples of Athanasius through their Trinity formula claims that Jesus was eternal begotten, where as the angel claims that Jesus will be holy and called the son of God and Mary will be the Mother. Jesus had a finite beginning.

3. Jesus was begotten by God on a specific day ([‘You are my Son, TODAY I have begotten you.’ – Which Day is Today? –  This is explained here:

• 100 Reasons why the Bible does not use the word Trinity: Reason 21 of 100 [‘You are my Son, TODAY I have begotten you.’ – Which Day is Today?]

Trinitarians deliberately erased begotten today and have her children believe ‘eternally begotten’.

4. Only in allegory Jesus created the world i.e. to say the world was created for Jesus’ sake and for Jesus.

Let us relook at Colossians now:

Col 1:15  the firstborn of all creation.

The idea of firstborn has to do with the rights of the first born. Being made the firstborn from the dead he has inherited the title of firstborn over all creation being the firstborn from the dead.

But God gives Preeminence based on obedience. While the law did give special privileges to the first born, that will not  be the basis how the final judgment and reward will be based upon. Family hierarchy will play no part at the judgment seat.

Christ having Preeminence over Abraham and David is played out in the story of Joseph who his elder brothers worshiped eventually. Jesus is spiritually the first born of all creation.

Consider this statement of God:

Exodus 4:22, where God commands Moses to tell Pharaoh,

“This is what YHWH says: Israel is my firstborn son. . .Let my son go, so he may worship me.”

Was Israel God’s first born in a literal sense? Did Israel preexist? No! But since first borns enjoy certain privileges by birth, the example of first born or first right is used allegorically to Jesus. I.e. to say Israel was more important that Egypt and the other nations because God had chosen them on account of Abraham’s obedience.

Col 1:17  He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.

Before all things implies that Jesus is more important than others. All things are held in him under the new covenant established in the kingdom of the his beloved son.

This is also the reason Jesus said, Before Abraham was I am ‘He’ – i.e. God’s Christ or anointed one. Refer:

• 52 of 100: On: John 8:58 Before Abraham was, I am

Jesus the firstborn – A title

5. God the Father knows everyone by name even before our births so he calls on things as if they exist even before we can see them. This is power of foreknowledge and prophecy.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5 KJV)

Same applies to Jesus as to Jeremiah:

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 Consider the calling of Paul:

Gal 1:15  But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,

6. Jesus going to heaven itself was a prophecy

Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Through prophetic vision Jesus would be born, live and die and go to heaven and eventually become the Lord of David.

Jesus was not in heaven when the prophecy was given!

7. A simple creation story as told by Paul and how the man Jesus fits in the story – No allegory

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”  Acts 17:24-31 (KJV)

The Father is God and Jesus is the man whom God as ordained as judge (Elohim)! While not men accept Jesus is their kurios (the unbelieving Jews, the Romans, etc), Paul is emphasising that God has made Jesus ‘kurios’ of the church and heaven and will be kurios of all mankind in the age to come.