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Understanding Jesus' Teachings and Attributes in Scripture

Jesus' teachings and attributes are central to Christian understanding, rooted deeply in the biblical narrative and theological reflection. His teachings are often presented as the very words of God, and his attributes reveal his divine nature and salvific role.

Jesus himself affirmed the authority and truth of the Scriptures, appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. He stated that people err because they do not know the Scriptures or the power of God [7]. The Old Testament Scriptures, in particular, are understood to provide the wisdom necessary to receive Christ, and conversely, Jesus Christ is needed to fully comprehend the Old Testament [8]. The Gospel of Christ is described as the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation, with Christ as its author [9]. The disciples' curriculum, as taught by Jesus, comprised all his commands, such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing obedience to his instructions [10]. Learning Christ involves understanding his office and person, a foundational lesson in the Christian life [11].

The attributes of Jesus highlight his unique identity and role. He is presented as God, as the Son of God, and as one with the Father [2]. Scripture describes him as the First-born and First-begotten, the Lord of lords, and the very image of God [2]. His divine nature is further evidenced by his role as Creator, through whom all things were made [2]. The excellency of Christ is seen in his being the "author and perfecter of faith" [6].

Jesus' multifaceted roles are also emphasized. He functions as Mediator between God and humanity, as Prophet, Priest, and King [2]. As a prophet, he was foretold in the Old Testament, anointed with the Holy Spirit, and uniquely capable of revealing God [5]. He declared his doctrine to be from the Father, preached the Gospel, and performed miracles [5]. His prophetic ministry included foretelling future events and demonstrating abundant wisdom [5]. As King, he is depicted as reigning from a throne [2]. He is also identified as the ultimate Judge, who will return to render judgment [2].

The wisdom of God, an attribute Jesus embodies, is described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, and beyond human comprehension [4]. This wisdom is not derived but inherent to God [4]. The Gospel itself contains treasures of this divine wisdom [4]. Similarly, the love of God, which Christ embodies and reveals, is a core aspect of God's character [3]. This love is sovereign, great, abiding, unfailing, unalienable, constraining, and everlasting [3]. It is manifested towards perishing sinners, saints, and the destitute, and is given irrespective of merit [3]. Jesus himself is the especial object of this divine love and abides in it [3].

The teachings of Jesus are not merely ethical guidelines but are intrinsically linked to his divine person and attributes. His words carry authority because of who he is—God incarnate, the one who perfectly reveals the Father [5]. The understanding of Jesus' teachings is thus inseparable from an understanding of his divine nature and his various roles in salvation history.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  2. 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”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Prophet — Foretold -- De 18:15,18; Isa 52:7; Na 1:15. Anointed with the Holy Spirit -- Isa 42:1; 61:1; Lu 4:18; Joh 3:34. Alone knows and reveals God -- Mt 11:27; Joh 3:2,13,34; 17:6,14,26; Heb 1:1,2. Declared his doctrine to be that of the Father -- Joh 8:26,28; 12:49,50; 14:10,24; 15:15; 17:8,16. Preached the gospel, and worked miracles -- Mt 4:23; 11:5; Lu 4:43. Foretold things to come -- Mt 24:3-35; Lu 19:41,44. Faithful to his trust -- Lu 4:43; Joh 17:8; Heb 3:2; Re 1:5; 3:14. Abounded in wisdom -- Lu 2:40,47,52; Col 2:3. Mighty in deed and word -- M”
  6. Hebrews “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2”
  7. Matthew “But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. -- Matthew 22:29”
  8. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
  9. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
  10. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 28:20: 28:20 Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20; 7:13-27). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23; 18:20).”
  11. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:20: learned Christ-- (Phi 3:10). To know Christ Himself, is the great lesson of the Christian life: this the Ephesians began to learn at their conversion. "Christ," in reference to His office, is here specified as the object of learning. "Jesus," in Eph 4:21, as the person.”
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