Trinitarians cite this passage as a proof text. But is it?

If the Trinitarian claim that Christ is “God the Son,” that he is--in and of himself--God, one of the three persons of the Trinity, questions are in order.

Did Jesus ever claim to be God, or did he ever say anything that would imply he claimed to be God?

Can scripture be found to either confirm or deny this charge?

A passage often used to “prove” the truth of the Trinity, John 10:30-39, provides raises a question. There are theologians who say this passage indeed proves Jesus was God, so it may be surprising that we point to it. However, we invite you to take a closer look, not only at this passage but at Psalm 82:1-7 alluded to by Jesus.

1) God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. 2) “How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked?” Selah vs. 3) “Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4) Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. 5) They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.”6) I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. 7) But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes."

It reveals that the word deity can be used in a sense that does not refer to God himself. The Hebrew word Elohim translated “gods,” though certainly used of God in a generic sense, is very frequently used of men, in this case of God’s people, His judges, prophets, etc. The words of Jesus get very interesting when we bear this in mind.

Let us consider those who made the charge against Jesus. As Jews their understanding was rooted in the Shema, “The LORD our God, the LORD is one,” and for any man to claim equality was blasphemous. However, regarding their understanding of Christ, they were blind and zealous to reject him, not having any inkling of his relationship to his Father. It is revealing to consider how Jesus replied to their charge.

He could have replied in either of two ways. 1. “You are right. I am claiming to be equal with my Father, I am as much God (Deity) as He is.” 2. He could reply, as he did, by asking in vs. 34  “Is it not written in your law, “Ye are gods?” Then Jesus continues by giving them a theological lesson they should well have known. In effect, he explains “I am indeed god in the same sense as your own written law says ‘Ye are gods.’” Trinitarians should study this passage and learn the lesson, too. It would be strange for Jesus, if indeed he was God, equal with His Father, to cite a passage that would not confirm his having deity, but would actually prove the very opposite!

Look closely at Psalm 82.God is standing in the midst of His saints and instructing them how they should judge. Verses 6 is particularly instructive. “I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.” Although God’s Chosen One, who would bear the sins of the world, Jesus affirmed his brotherhood with the saints by acknowledging that he, too, was a child of God in keeping with the dual nature of his person.

In effect, Jesus’ words might be, “I the Lord Jesus Christ, as a man, confess my humanity, that I can hunger, and thirst, can become weary and subject to death. I am not omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Those attributes belong only to God, my Father. Those attributes are evident in my life only because He is dwelling in me. I am the image of God that enables Him to be seen. My Father, who is invisible, through me becomes visible. We are a team in an inseparable union of deity and humanity, ‘Father/Son.’ In our dual nature we are working together to bring about redemption.”