**What does it mean to be "equal with God" in John 5:18?**

This is a great scripture to invent lots of alternate theories about Jesus' status relative to God and/or the Father. Of course, the [disciples][1] knew these two - the Father and God, as one and the same. The terms could be used interchangeably without complication. Jesus also expressed this reality.

>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.

>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. Always, he is places the Father above himself. Should we take ONE verse and *make* it override all other scripture?
- John writes that the Jews were *unhappy*. Claiming Jesus broke the Sabbath (wrong). They also, *wrongly* determined, that by Jesus truthfully saying he was God's son, this somehow meant that Jesus was *equal with God!*
- nothing so far that indicates Jesus is *equal* with God.

Let's look at some other uses of *equal*. Even if Jesus did claim equality - which he never did, we can see that other uses don't automatically show that the two referents are made 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 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

Jesus *was* equal with God in some ways. He was without sin and holy - 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, and 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


  [1]: https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/53177/is-holy-spirit-the-spirit-of-the-father-according-to-luke-and-matthew/55619?r=SearchResults&s=1%7C73.5372#55619