What does it mean to be "equal with God" in John 5:18?
This scripture has seen lots of alternate theories about Jesus' status relative to God and/or the Father. The terms Father and God can be used interchangeably without complication as Jesus expressed.
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” John 20:17
To the verse in question. We will cover some fundamental issues first then get to the significant twist in this matter.
because of this, then, were the Jews seeking the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the sabbath, but he also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God. John 5:18 Youngs
- Jesus wasn't the one claiming equality - he never said any such thing.
- He always places the Father above himself. Should we take ONE verse and make it override and contradict all other scripture on this matter?
- John expresses that the Jews were confused, they were angry. Claiming Jesus broke the Sabbath (wrong). They also, wrongly determined, that by Jesus truthfully saying he was God's son, this meant, somehow, that Jesus was equal with God!
Following on from John's observation about the Jews and their misguided assumptions - the very next verse confirms Jesus' not equal with God status, and continues this theme through the chapter in some important areas.
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the son is able to do nothing of himself... (note the, "Truly, truly")
- not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the son v22
- the Father who sent him v23
- as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the son also to have life in Himself v26
- I can do nothing on my own v30
- I do not seek my own will but the will of Him who sent me v30
- the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish v36
- I have come in My Father’s name v43
Of all these examples, the Father giving life to the son is alone enough to forcefully show Jesus is not EQUAL with God in everything at all!
What does equal mean?
Let us not assume what equal means. We can see other uses don't automatically show that the two referents are rendered the same! IOW, by saying he is equal with God - this doesn't make him the same as God. Equality is a relative term and not necessarily to be applied to every aspect.
Then Judah approached him (Joseph) and said, “Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh. Gen 44:18
But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast. 2Cor 11:12
‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ Matt 20:12
Equal cannot mean two things are exactly the same outside of mathematics. It may predominately mean they share similar experiences, features or power, influence...
Jesus was certainly equal with God in some ways. He was without sin and holy. He shared the nature of God as loving, wise, benevolent because he is God's son born out of the corruption of sin nature all men have. And that is where the equality ends.
In this small sampling, Jesus is UNequal with God.
- God is immortal - Jesus was not - he is now.
- God is life - Jesus depended on God for life - twice.
- God cannot be tempted - Jesus could and was (but w/o sin)
- God is all knowing - Jesus was not.
- God is spirit - Jesus said he was not, but has a body with extra abilities.
- God is all powerful - Jesus was not, he relied on God's provision and answered prayer for all he did.
- God is God - Jesus was filled with the fullness of God
- God is God - Jesus was the image of God
- God is Creator - Jesus is declared heir to all things Heb 1:2
- God is God - Jesus is made Lord and Christ
- God has all authority - He gave authority to Jesus
All the times when Jesus said, 'I do as the Father does' John 8:38, commands 14:31, or 'I am not doing my will, but the Father's', or many similar statements about Jesus' deferral and obedience to God are ample evidence that Jesus and God are supremely distinct. Jesus being filed with God's holy spirit which enabled him to accomplish his awesome task of redeeming creation.
Conclusion:
Yes Jesus shares some commonality with God, his Father. They are equal in some important matters - this enabled Jesus to live as the 'son of God' and triumphantly accomplish his mission. But these few 'equalities' by no means whatsoever make Jesus = God, or to actually be as God as many seem to think when read in a cursory manner without due consideration of some important facts.
Jesus knew exactly how he was the same as his Father. But he also knew his Father was also his God! Having some similarities gave Jesus a heavenly edge that allowed him some latitude and the authority to throw some weight around if he felt the need. He, rightly, chose to take the servant heart, the humble and obedient course, and not of the entitled son!