Very God of Very God
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 5:15-18
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for a recording of today's lesson.
From the Confessions: The Nicene Creed: Very God of very God...
Pulling It Together
These days, we say, “true God of true God,” and rightly so, since “very” used to be used as true, as "verily" means truly. The Latin word from which we derive the English word “very” is verus which means “true.” We still think this way, even if we do not realize we do so. If we say something is very blue, we mean it is truly blue. Just so, when we confess that Jesus is very God, we mean that he is the true God. And when we say that he is true God of true God, we simply mean that he is truest of true, the highest form of he who is verily God.
In responding to the Arian heresy, these superlatives and repetitions were important. There is, of course, no other God to be truer than, so “true God of true God” emphasizes the doctrine that Jesus is not a created being but is truly God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to hear your word and believe. Amen
Share this post
Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
Click Here For Content Archives