Isaiah

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NASB	Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
AMPLIFIED 2015	Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Is 25:1; 40:9-11; Matt 28:18; Luke 2:11]

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Bible Question (short): Is Jesus the 'Eternal Father'?

Question (full): Does the fact that Jesus is called "Eternal Father" in Isaiah 9:6 mean that Jesus is the Father?No, Jesus is not the Father. As we interpret the meaning of the phrase "Eternal Father" in reference to Christ, it is critical to keep in mind what other Scriptures have to say about the distinction between the Father and the Son. The Father is considered by Jesus as someone other than Himself more than 200 times in the New Testament. Over 50 times (in the NT) the Father and Son are seen to be distinct within the same verse (for example: Rom. 15:6, 2 Cor. 1:4, Gal. 1:2-3, Phil. 2:10-11, 1 John 2:1, 2 John 3). If the Father and the Son are distinct, then in what sense is Jesus the "Eternal Father"? One explanation is that this phrase is better translated 'Father of eternity', and carries the meaning "possessor of eternity." Father of eternity is here used in accordance with a custom usual in Hebrew and in Arabic, where he who possesses a thing is called the father of it. Thus, the father of strength means strong; the father of knowledge, intelligent; the father of glory, glorious. According to this common usage, the meaning of Father of eternity in Isaiah 9:6 is 'eternal'. Christ as the "Father of eternity" is an eternal being. The Targum- a simplified paraphrase of the Old Testament Scriptures utilized by the ancient Jews- rendered Isaiah 9:6: "His name has been called from of old, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, He who lives forever...." Clearly, the ancient Jews considered the phrase Father of eternity as indicating the eternality of the Messiah. Also, this refers to Christ's divine quality as an enduring, compassionate provider and protector (see also Isaiah 40:9-11). Scripture is clear that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons. Scripture tells us that the Father sent the Son (John 3:16-17), the Father and Son love each other (John 5:20), and the Father and Son speak to each other (John 8:47, 11:41, 42). Moreover, the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father (John 10:15), and Jesus is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1).Also, it is clear that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism (Luke 3:22). The Holy Spirit is said to be another comforter (John 14:16). Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). And the Holy Spirit seeks to glorify Jesus (John 16:13-14). In view of these facts, it is impossible to argue that Jesus is the Father and the Holy Spirit.Does John 10:30 teach that Jesus and the Father are the same person? No. Jesus affirmed, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). This verse does not mean that Jesus and the Father are one and the same person. We know this to be true because in the phrase, "I and the Father are one," a first person plural- "we are" (esmen in the Greek)- is used. The verse literally reads from the Greek, "I and the Father we are one." If Jesus intended to say that He and the Father were one person, He certainly would not have used the first person plural, which clearly implies two persons. Furthermore, the Greek word for "one" (hen) in this verse refers not to personal unity (that is, the idea that the Father and Son are one person) but to unity of essence or nature (that is, that the Father and Son have the same divine nature). This is evident in the fact that the form of the word in the Greek is neuter, not masculine. Further, the verses that immediately precede and follow John 10:30 distinguish Jesus from the Father (John 10:25,29,36,38). Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father (John 1:18). We also know that 2 Corinthians 3:17 does not prove that Jesus is the Holy Spirit. Just earlier, in vv. 3-6, the apostle Paul clearly distinguishes between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the whole of Scripture indicates that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit.Sources: NASB Study Bible (Zondervan), Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (Hendrickson), Matthew Henry's Unabridged Commentary, Strong's Concordance, "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" by Ron Rhodes, "Evidence Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell.

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Isaiah