TheosGuy

Following are some Scriptural evidences of the Son’s submission to the Father.¹ Please note that this submission does not in any way imply subordination of Divine essence on the part of God the Son.

• The Son submitted to the Father before creation (Rom 8:29–30; Eph 1:3–6, 8–12; 3:11; 2 Tim 1:9).
• The Son submitted to the Father in the act of creation (Heb 1:2; John 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Col 1:16).
• The Son submitted to the Father before his earthly ministry (John 3:16–17; 8:42; Gal 4:4; 1 John 4:9–10).
• The Son submitted to the Father during his earthly ministry (John 8:28–29; 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38; 10:18; 12:49; 15: 10; 17:4).
• The Son has been submitting to the Father since he ascended into heaven.
• The Son intercedes to the Father on behalf of his people (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 9:24).
• The Son did not pour out the Holy Spirit until the Father gave the Holy Spirit to the Son (Acts 2:33).
• The Father gave the Son what the Son revealed to John in the book of Revelation (Rev 1:1).
• The Son sits at the Father’s right hand (Ps 110:1; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33–34; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3; Heb 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22).
• The Son will submit to the Father after the final judgment in order to glorify the Father (1 Cor 15:24–28; Phil 2:9–11).

1. The outline is excerpted from materials developed by Andy Naselli, which relies heavily on Wayne Grudem and Bruce Ware’s opening statement in a 2.5-hour debate versus Tom McCall and Keith Yandell on the question, “Do relations of authority and submission exist eternally among the Persons of the Godhead?” (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL, October 9, 2008). See this blog entry for more information on the debate.