Commentaries:
The Family of God is located both in heaven and on earth. In heaven there are two Beings of spirit who are part of the Godhead. This flies right in the face of the concept of strict monotheism! But even more startling is that God considers true Christians to be part of the Godhead already!
It has been said that the church is the Kingdom of God in embryo. Currently two members of the Godhead are spirit. But God—Elhoim—said, "Let Us create man in Our image" (Genesis 1:26), and what is evident from the beginning of the Bible all the way to the end is that Elohim is expanding! God is increasing what Elohim is. God is increasing the number of those who are in the Godhead. This is not hard to understand. Now we are already children of God. We are in His Family.
To us, monotheism indicates that one is worshipping one distinct and unique almighty personality, and if anyone claims anything more than that, that person is considered to be a polytheist—worshipping many gods. This is hard to accept here in this Western world, and this resistance to accepting what the Bible clearly reveals about the Godhead has in large measure led to the introduction of the "Trinity." People just cannot accept the simple truth of the Bible, that God is expanding. He is increasing His number. We will be part of that Godhead.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Nature of God: Elohim
Already a Family exists in heaven—not the angelic family but the Family in which we are sons and daughters. We are the part of that heavenly Family but still on the earth.
John W. Ritenbaugh
God Is . . . What?
In a succinct form, this passage contains God's spiritual purpose. He is working toward sharing the riches of His glory with His entire Family. His primary purpose is to prepare His people for living in the inheritance—eternally. To this end, Paul prays that we might utilize our spiritual privileges to the full and be strengthened in the inner man. He asks that "Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith" and that we be "rooted and grounded in love."
God is concerned about the inner man. That is the part in us by which we are able to recognize and grasp spiritual realities. By it, we make the choices that will lead to the fulfillment of God's purpose for us. It is this part of us that walks by faith. God will "exceedingly abundantly" provide for us within the context of His purpose (verse 20), even as He did for Israel in the wilderness. They appeared so vulnerable, weak, and exposed while living in the open in booths, but they had everything they needed. He promises to "provide all [our] need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
John W. Ritenbaugh
Preparing for the Feast
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
2 Corinthians 13:5
Library resources that contain this verse:
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