Biblical Theology and the Unity of God
The unity of God is a foundational concept in biblical theology, asserting that there is only one Divine Being. This truth is taken for granted throughout the Bible, which does not offer arguments for God's existence but rather assumes it [2]. The Hebrew terms for God, such as 'El, 'Eloah, and 'Elohim, along with Jehovah, consistently refer to this singular Supreme Being [2].
The Bible explicitly declares God's unity. Moses states, "To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him" (Deuteronomy 4:35) and "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). This concept is presented as a basis for exclusive obedience and supreme love for God [1]. The prophet Isaiah records God's own assertion: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god" (Isaiah 44:6) and "I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no God" (Isaiah 45:5) [1]. Jesus affirmed this unity when he quoted Deuteronomy 6:4, saying, "The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one'" (Mark 12:29) [1]. The apostles also upheld this doctrine, as seen in Paul's declaration, "there is one God" (1 Timothy 2:5) and "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:5-6) [1, 5].
This doctrine of divine unity is consistent with the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit [1]. While God is one in nature and essence, there are three persons in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [10]. Jesus himself stated, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) [1]. He is described as being "one with the Father" (John 10:30, 38) and the "image of God" (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3) [3]. The Holy Spirit is also understood within this singular divine being.
The unity of God serves as a theological basis for several key Christian doctrines. It underscores that the God of the Jews is also the God of the Gentiles, implying that all humanity is justified in the same manner [10]. This unity means that God comprehends all his human children in his offer of grace, making it logical to pray for all people [6, 11]. The concept of "one God" is not merely an opposition to polytheism but a fundamental Christian understanding of the divine nature [7].
The unity of God is also reflected in the unity of the Church. Believers are "one in spirit already, even as God is one" (Ephesians 4:3-6) [8]. The Church is described as the body of Christ, with Christ as its head, demonstrating a spiritual organic whole where various members are united by one Spirit [4, 12]. This union with Christ means believers share in God's glory and blessings [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Church, The — Belongs to God -- 1Ti 3:15. The body of Christ -- Eph 1:23; Col 1:24. Christ, the foundation-stone of -- 1Co 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:4,5. Christ, the head of -- Eph 1:22; 5:23. Loved by Christ -- Song 7:10; Eph 5:25. Purchased by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Eph 5:25; Heb 9:12. Sanctified and cleansed by Christ -- 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26,27. Subject to Christ -- Ro 7:4; Eph 5:24. The object of the grace of God -- Isa 27:3; 2Co 8:1. Displays the wisdom of God -- Eph 3:10. Shows forth the praises of God -- Isa 60:6. God defends -- Ps 89:18; Isa 4:5; 49:25; M”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:5 (BSB) — one Lord, one faith, one baptism;”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God--God's unity in essence and purpose is a proof of His comprehending all His human children alike (created in His image) in His offer of grace (compare the same argument from His unity, Rom 3:30; Gal 3:20); therefore all are to be prayed for. Ti1 2:4 is proved from Ti1 2:5; Ti1 2:1, from Ti1 2:4. The one God is common to all (Isa 45:22; Act 17:26). The one Mediator is mediator between God and all men potentially (Rom 3:29; Eph 4:5-6; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24). They who have not this one God by one Mediator, have none: literall”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God,.... These words are a continuation of the address of the man that has works, to him that boasts of his faith without them, observing to him, that one, and a main article of his faith, is, that there is one God; which is to be understood in the Christian sense, since both the person speaking, and the person spoken to, were such as professed themselves Christians; so that to believe there is one God, is not merely to give into this article, in opposition to the polytheism of the Gentiles, or barely to confess the God of Israel, as be”
- Zechariah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 14:9: king over all . . . earth-- Isa 54:5 implies that this is to be the consequence of Israel being again recognized by God as His own people (Dan 2:44; Rev 11:15). one Lord . . . name one--Not that He is not so already, but He shall then be recognized by all unanimously as "One." Now there are "gods many and lords many." Then Jehovah alone shall be worshipped. The manifestation of the unity of the Godhead shall be simultaneous with that of the unity of the Church. Believers are one in spirit already, even as God is one (Eph 4:3-6). But externally the”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 3:26: Seeing it is one God,.... God is one in nature and essence, though there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; whence it appears, that he that is the God of the Jews, is also the God of the Gentiles, or there would be more gods than one; and that these are justified in one and the same manner, or God must be divided; for God, as he is one in nature, so he is one in will, in his promises, and in the methods of his grace: which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. The objects of justification are "the circ”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 2:4: For there is one God,.... This does not so much regard the unity of God, with respect to himself, or his divine essence, though that is a truth; but does not carry in it any apparent and forcible reason why all men should be prayed for, for which it is produced; but the unity of God with respect to men, as that there is but one God, who is the Creator of all men, and who, in a providential way, is the Saviour of all men; and in a way of special grace is the one God, the one covenant God of all sorts of men, of Jews and Gentiles; for he has taken of the latter into t”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:12: Unity, not unvarying uniformity, is the law of God in the world of grace, as in that of nature. As the many members of the body compose an organic whole and none can be dispensed with as needless, so those variously gifted by the Spirit, compose a spiritual organic whole, the body of Christ, into which all are baptized by the one Spirit. of that one body--Most of the oldest manuscripts omit "one." so also is Christ--that is, the whole Christ, the head and body. So Psa 18:50, "His anointed (Messiah or Christ), David (the antitypical David) a”