What does it mean that Jesus, the Son, is the second Person of the Trinity?

The doctrine of the Trinity, foundational to Christian theology, teaches that God eternally exists as one divine essence in three co-equal, co-eternal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, the Son, is often referred to as the second Person of the Trinity, not because He is lesser or secondary in nature, but because of His relational role within the Godhead and His position in the order of divine revelation and redemptive work.

Why Is Jesus Called the Second Person of the Trinity?

Scriptural Order in Trinitarian Formulas

The designation of Jesus as the "second Person" of the Trinity reflects the consistent order in which the three Persons are named in Scripture. For example, in the Great Commission, Jesus commands:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).

This order—Father, Son, and Spirit—does not imply a hierarchy of value or essence but reflects the relational roles of the triune God as He reveals Himself to humanity.

The Son’s Co-equality and Eternity

Ontological Equality

The Son is fully God, sharing the same divine essence as the Father and the Spirit. This is emphasized throughout Scripture:

• John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (NKJV).

• Colossians 2:9: "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (NKJV).

The Son is not a created being but is eternally begotten of the Father, meaning that His relationship to the Father is one of eternal origin within the Godhead, not of temporal creation.

Co-eternality and Co-existence

The Son exists eternally with the Father and the Spirit. Jesus Himself declares His preexistence in John 8:58:
"Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM'" (NKJV).

The term "I AM" connects Jesus to the divine name revealed in Exodus 3:14, affirming His deity and eternal existence.

The Son’s Role in the Economic Trinity

The economic Trinity focuses on the distinct roles and functions of the Father, Son, and Spirit in God’s work of creation, redemption, and sanctification. Within this framework, the Son willingly submits to the Father’s will to accomplish the work of salvation.

The Son’s Submission to the Father

Though co-equal with the Father, the Son voluntarily submits to the Father’s will in His role as Redeemer. This submission is a functional, not an ontological, subordination:

• Philippians 2:6–8:
  "[Christ Jesus], who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (NKJV).

This passage illustrates the humility of the Son, who willingly left His glory to take on human flesh and fulfill the Father’s redemptive plan.

The Son’s Role in Redemption

As the second Person of the Trinity, the Son uniquely accomplishes salvation:

1. Incarnation: The Son took on human nature to live as a man and die for humanity’s sins.

   • John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (NKJV).

2. Atonement: The Son’s sacrificial death on the cross satisfied God’s justice and provided a means of reconciliation.

   • Hebrews 9:12: "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (NKJV).

3. Resurrection and Exaltation: The Father raised the Son from the dead, exalting Him as the King and Mediator.

   • Hebrews 1:3: "Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (NKJV).

The Son’s Eternal Relationship with the Father

Eternal Generation

The Son is eternally begotten of the Father, meaning He derives His relational distinction from the Father but is co-eternal and equal in essence. This relationship is not temporal or sequential but an eternal reality within the Godhead.

• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (NKJV).

The term "begotten" speaks to the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, distinguishing the Son’s personal identity within the Trinity.

Love and Unity Within the Trinity

The Father and Son are united in purpose and love. This eternal relationship is foundational to understanding God’s nature as love:

• John 17:24: "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world" (NKJV).

The Son’s Role in Creation and Providence

1. Agent of Creation
   The Son, as the Word of God, is the agent through whom the Father created all things:

   • Colossians 1:16: "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (NKJV).

2. Sustainer of Creation
   The Son upholds and sustains all of creation by His power:

   • Hebrews 1:3: "Upholding all things by the word of His power" (NKJV).

Practical Implications of Jesus as the Second Person

1. Model of Submission and Obedience
   Jesus’ voluntary submission to the Father serves as a model for believers to live in humility and obedience.

   • Matthew 26:39: "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will'" (NKJV).

2. Assurance of Salvation
   The Son’s role as Mediator assures believers of their salvation, as His sacrifice is sufficient and complete.

   • 1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (NKJV).

3. Ground for Worship
   As the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus is fully deserving of worship. His deity, redemptive work, and eternal reign call believers to exalt Him:

   • Revelation 5:12: "Saying with a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!'" (NKJV).

Conclusion

Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, is co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit. His designation as "second" reflects His relational role within the Trinity and His position in redemptive history. Through His obedience, incarnation, atonement, and exaltation, Jesus fulfills the Father’s plan and secures salvation for all who believe. This understanding enriches the believer’s worship and calls for humble submission to the God who is revealed in Christ.

Christ’s Role in Revelation

1. The Son as the Full Revelation of God
   Jesus uniquely reveals the Father to humanity, making the invisible God known in a tangible way. This role as the divine Revealer is distinct to the second Person of the Trinity:

   • John 1:18: "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (NKJV).

   The term declared (Greek: exēgeomai) means to "explain" or "make fully known." Jesus, as the Logos, embodies the self-expression of God.

2. Jesus as the Light of the World
   As the second Person, Christ is the Light sent to dispel spiritual darkness and bring the knowledge of salvation:

   • John 8:12: "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life'" (NKJV).

Christ’s Eternal Mediation

1. Mediator in Creation and Redemption
   The Son’s mediatory role spans both creation and redemption, highlighting His centrality in God’s purposes:

   • Creation: "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:3, NKJV).

   • Redemption: "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5, NKJV).

2. Ongoing Intercession
   Even now, Jesus functions as the eternal intercessor for believers:

   • Hebrews 7:25: "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (NKJV).

Jesus’ Preeminence in Redemptive History

1. Preeminence in the Church
   Jesus, as the second Person, holds the position of supreme authority within the church:

   • Colossians 1:18: "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence" (NKJV).

2. Preeminence in Eschatology
   The Son’s role extends into eschatological fulfillment, where He is central to the consummation of all things:

   • Revelation 19:16: "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (NKJV).

The Second Person as the Archetype of Humanity

1. The Image of the Invisible God
   Jesus is not only fully divine but also the perfect image of God, reflecting His glory in a way accessible to humanity:

   • Colossians 1:15: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (NKJV).

2. The Perfect Human
   As the second Adam, Christ restores what was lost in the fall and serves as the archetype for redeemed humanity:

   • Romans 5:19: "For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous" (NKJV).

Christ’s Role in the Triune Relationship

1. The Son as the One Glorified by the Spirit
   The Spirit’s role in the economic Trinity includes glorifying the Son:

   • John 16:14: "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (NKJV).

2. The Son as the Beloved of the Father
   Jesus is uniquely the object of the Father’s eternal love:

   • Matthew 3:17: "And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'" (NKJV).

The Second Person as the Standard of Judgment

1. Christ’s Role as Judge
   As the second Person, Jesus has been given authority to judge humanity:

   • John 5:22: "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son" (NKJV).

2. The Word as the Standard
   Jesus’ teachings and actions serve as the standard by which all will be judged:

   • John 12:48: "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (NKJV).

The Second Person and the Kingdom of God

1. The Kingdom Entrusted to the Son
   The Father entrusts the administration of the Kingdom to the Son, reflecting His central role in God’s sovereign plan:

   • Daniel 7:13–14: "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (NKJV).

2. The Son’s Return of the Kingdom
   In the eschatological fulfillment, the Son will deliver the Kingdom to the Father:

   • 1 Corinthians 15:24–28: "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For 'He has put all things under His feet.' But when He says 'all things are put under Him,' it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (NKJV).

Conclusion

These additional insights highlight Jesus’ unique roles as the second Person of the Trinity. From His function in divine revelation and mediation to His preeminence in eschatology and redemption, the Son’s work reflects the harmony and unity of the triune God. His place in the Trinity not only reveals the nature of God but also establishes the foundation for Christian hope, worship, and discipleship