Significance of Christ's Incarnation in Christian Theology
The incarnation of Christ refers to the act by which the divine Son of God took on human nature, uniting it with his divine person [1]. This event is foundational to Christian understanding, signifying that Christ is both fully God and fully human [1]. The concept is distinct from Christ's "coming" in a broader sense, which can refer to his first advent, his second coming, or even the metaphorical introduction of the Gospel [2].
The incarnation is asserted in various biblical texts, such as John 1:14, which states, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Other passages like Acts 20:28, Romans 8:32, 1 Corinthians 2:8, Hebrews 2:11-14, 1 Timothy 3:16, and Galatians 4:4 also speak to this reality [1]. The union of the divine and human natures in Christ is described as "hypostatical," meaning it is a personal union where the two natures are not mixed or confused, and this union is perpetual [1].
The necessity of Christ's human nature is tied to his mediatorial office [6]. As a mediator between God and humanity, Christ needed to partake in both natures. This is supported by passages such as 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 2:17, Galatians 4:4-5, and 1 Corinthians 15:21 [6]. His human nature is evidenced by his conception in the Virgin Mary's womb (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:31), his birth (Matthew 1:16, 25; Luke 2:7, 11), his partaking of flesh and blood (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14), and his possession of a human soul (Matthew 26:38; Luke 23:46; Acts 2:31) [6]. Furthermore, his human experiences, such as circumcision (Luke 2:21), increasing in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), weeping (Luke 19:41; John 11:35), hungering (Matthew 4:2; 21:18), thirsting (John 4:7; 19:28), sleeping (Matthew 8:24; Mark 4:38), and weariness (John 4:6), all attest to his genuine humanity [6].
Matthew Henry emphasizes that the mystery of Christ's incarnation is to be adored rather than subjected to excessive scrutiny [7]. one tradition notes that if the formation of ordinary human beings is beyond full comprehension, then the formation of Jesus in the Virgin Mary's womb is even more profoundly mysterious [7]. Henry also highlights that Christ "took not upon him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham," meaning he specifically assumed human nature, not angelic nature, for the purpose of redemption [8]. This choice was deliberate and essential for his redemptive work [8].
The incarnation is intrinsically linked to other core doctrines, such as Christ's resurrection. The resurrection is considered a cardinal fact of the Gospel, and without it, Christian faith is deemed "vain" [4, 9]. The resurrection serves as proof that Christ's sacrifice fully atoned for human sins [9]. If Christ had not been raised, humanity would remain unforgiven and under God's judgment [9]. The Gospel itself, often referred to as "the testimony of Christ," bears witness to his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession [11].
The significance of the incarnation extends to the "glory that should follow" Christ's earthly ministry, encompassing his resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit [10]. Adam Clarke notes that this glory also includes the widespread preaching of the Gospel, the moral transformations it brings about, and the ultimate glorification of those who remain faithful [10]. The incarnation also points to the "ineffable glorification of the human nature of Jesus Christ," which will endure throughout eternity [10].
The incarnation is a singular event, distinct from Christ's second advent, which is often referred to as the "revelation of Christ" or his "second coming" [3, 5]. While the incarnation marks his first coming "in the fulness of the time" [2], the second coming is anticipated at the last day (Acts 1:11; 3:20, 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 9:28) [2]. The expectation of Christ's speedy return was prevalent among early Christians, based on passages like Matthew 24:29-30, 34 [3]. The time of this second coming remains unknown (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) [5].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Incarnation — That act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, became man. Christ is both God and man. Human attributes and actions are predicated of him, and he of whom they are predicated is God. A Divine Person was united to a human nature (Acts 20:28; Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 2:8; Heb. 2:11-14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Gal. 4:4, etc.). The union is hypostatical, i.e., is personal; the two natures are not mixed or confounded, and it is perpetual.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Coming of Christ — (1) with reference to his first advent "in the fulness of the time" (1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:7), or (2) with reference to his coming again the second time at the last day (Acts 1:11; 3:20, 21; 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:28). The expression is used metaphorically of the introduction of the gospel into any place (John 15:22; Eph. 2:17), the visible establishment of his kingdom in the world (Matt. 16:28), the conferring on his people of the peculiar tokens of his love (John 14:18, 23, 28), and his executing judgment on the wicked (2 Thess. 2:8).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 1:18: The mystery of Christ's incarnation is to be adored, not pried into. If we know not the way of the Spirit in the formation of common persons, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of any one that is with child (Ecc 11:5), much less do we know how the blessed Jesus was formed in the womb of the blessed virgin. When David admires how he himself was made in secret, and curiously wrought (Psa 139:13-16), perhaps he speaks in the spirit of Christ's incarnation. Some circumstances attending the birth of Christ we find here which are not in Luke, though it is more la”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:14: Here the apostle proceeds to assert the incarnation of Christ, as taking upon him not the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham; and he shows the reason and design of his so doing. I. The incarnation of Christ is asserted (Heb 2:16): Verily he took not upon him the nature of angels, but he took upon him the seed of Abraham. He took part of flesh and blood. Though as God he pre-existed from all eternity, yet in the fulness of time he took our nature into union with his divine nature, and became really and truly man. He did not lay hold of angels, but he laid h”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:14: 15:14-18 If Christ has not risen from the dead, then Christian faith is useless. But in reality, Jesus’ resurrection is proof that the sacrifice of Christ fully atoned for human sins (see 15:3). If Christ has not been raised, then human beings remain unforgiven, under the judgment of God—still guilty of their sins (see Rom 3:19; Eph 2:1-3).”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:11: The glory that should follow - Not only the glory of his resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the effusion of his Spirit; but that grand manifestation of God's infinite love to the world in causing the Gospel of his Son to be everywhere preached, and the glorious moral changes which should take place in the world under that preaching, and the final glorification of all them who had here received the report, and continued faithful unto death. And we may add to this the ineffable glorification of the human nature of Jesus Christ, which, throughout eternity, will ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 1:6: Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. By "the testimony of Christ" is meant the Gospel of Christ, which bears a testimony to his deity, his incarnation, his obedience, sufferings, and death, his resurrection from the dead, ascension to heaven, session at God's right hand, and intercession for the saints; to redemption by his blood, justification by his righteousness, pardon and atonement of sin by his sacrifice, and complete salvation by his obedience and death. This, as it had been preached to the Corinthians, was confirmed and established among”