Titus 2:13 – The Great God and our Savior Jesus
The Great God and our Savior Jesus
Titus 2:13 (KJV)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Separating Truth / From Tradition
Scholars debate what the exact translation of this passage should be.
Should this verse be understood to say, “the glorious appearing of the great God who is our Saviour Jesus Christ;” or
should it be understood as saying, “the appearing of the glory of our great God, as well as of our Saviour Jesus Christ?”
The Great God – Could Not Be Speaking Of Jesus
The word “great” is clearly identified as belonging to “God” but there are those who suggest that Jesus is the great God being referred to in this passage.
In the writings of Paul, we know that Paul is persistent about this one fact, that “there is but one God, the Father and he consistently distinguishes the identity of “God” from that of “Jesus” as being two separate and distinct personages or beings.
(Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:2; Philemon 1:3)
Jesus made that distinction very clear when He said, “The Father is greater than I” (John 14.28). It, therefore, seems best to take this phrase “the great God” as being in reference to God the Father.”
The Glorious Appearing..
The significance of the “appearing” in verse 13 was in reference to the “glory” that will be displayed. Not the display of God himself but “the glory of both”, the glory of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ will have been displayed.
This display is spoken of by Jesus in the Book of Luke:
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).
When Christ returns it will be with his glory and with the glory of His Father (God) and with the glory of the Holy angels.
Once we understand Luke 9:26 (….when he returns it will be with his glory as well as with the glory of the Father.) the meaning of the text becomes clearer and fits in perfect harmony with the rest of Scripture.
(See also: Frequently Asked Questions About Salvation)
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