Did the Apostle Paul Believe that Jesus was God?

This is Part III to a topic I began recently dealing with Paul's message and understanding of salvation. I encourage those interested in this one to check out the previous two. Here are the links:

Part I--How Paul Created His Gospel

Part II--Washed in the Blood of the Messiah--Where Did that Come From?

On-line Courses:
"Jesus & Dead Sea Scrolls”

Creating Jesus: Gospel of Mark

__________________________________________
Retired Prof. of Religious Studies/Christian Origins
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

LinkedIn:

[jesusisthechristthesonofgod]

The Apostle Paul believes that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, not God.
Paul knows the difference between the Messiah and God Almighty.

[xxxs]

Paul believed that Jesus was God's first creation, that he existed before coming to earth

[charlessutton]

Using Paul's words to demonstrate Paul's beliefs, is an honest approach.
Thank you.

[BubbylovesJesus]

Jesus never called anyone a Christian.

[gokartbob]

"blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" Col 1.3
Eph 1.3 & 1.17
Rom 1.3
2cor 1.3 & 11.31
(Answer NO)

[KendraAndTheLaw]

"God" has a wide range of meanng in the Hebrew scriptures.
But there is only one "Elyon"... most high.
Even the book of John rejects the idea that Jesus was the "Most High"
He was the _son of_ the Most High.
(P.S. book of John is obviously very much influenced by Philo of Alexandria's surmisings.)
Paul did not assert Jesus was the Most High.
Paul consistently uses subordinationist language.

[seHi]

New subscriber.

I am hanging on every word from this dissertation.

Thank you for presenting us with this detailed and authentic information.

Johnny Boy

[davashorb]

This makes me want to go read Paul again.

[jamesault]

Thank you Dr. Tabor for your sincere and scholarly insight on this issue.

[jdaze]

The Tyndale bible translated the logos correctly in John 1. The logos is an IT not a HIM. The logos (wisdom and power of YHWH) becomes flesh whenever someone is begotten of the Fathers incorruptible seed. The logos is intangible until IT is formed or risen (the LIGHT) in you. The first resurrection into new life.

[babisbabinos]

I disagree. You provide other interpretations of the scriptures, but not necessarily the right ones just because something can be explained in various ways. From the verses you mentioned: Paul said Jesus will judge the world. Who will judge the world on his throne in the Old Testament? *Debate ended*.

As for 2 Philipians 5-11, the mistake you did was confuse the terms morphi (form) and ikona(image) although your explanation was interesting. What does emptied himself and taking the form (not role) of a servant mean?

The Messiah in the Old Testament is considered divine. Jesus is the "first fruits of the resurrection that is to come". Ok, how does this contradict Jesus incarnating and being God? You say there are many meanings for the phrase son of God BUT if you study the texts in context, you will understand the meaning. Jesus literally says the Father is his Father not just spiritually. For to which one of the angels does God say "You are my son"?

I would appreciate an answer from you.

[sheri]

Excellent video as always, the effort Dr. Tabor put in his videos is second to none Thanks!

[markmoore]

Trinity, false doctrine, this message was sent to another gentleman, but applicable,
The trinity doctrine is pagan, a man-made doctrine, taught by demons. Anyone who teaches that Jesus is fully God and yet fully human is a liar. The incarnation taught by men, defined as God becoming flesh is a lie. A mans' doctrine, taught by a man to another man, by a man with no understanding. You mentioned 1 Corinthians 8, so what does this book teach on the relationship between Elohim and Yeshua?
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many, )6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Paul is telling you that there is one (1) God and one (1) Lord. Why does he say Jesus Christ, by whom are all things? How did God create the heavens and earth? He spoke them into existence. When you read Johns' gospel how does it start? In the beginning, ever heard this before? A Hebrew/Jew understands that if a scriptural text is referenced then the listener needs to be fully cognizant about the refenced text, as it will have bearing on the meaning of what is being said. When John says the word was God or God was the word, whichever translation you read: John is telling you that God was the "orator". God was speaking the creation into existence. This is the reason that Christ is called the word of God; this is his origin.
Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (He made the worlds through Christ)
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. (He made/spoke all things through Christ)
Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. (Christ testifies of himself that he was the beginning of the creation)
Further in 1 Corinthians we find: 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (appears we have a chain of command, not equality) John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Further in 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (Christ is in subjection to his Father)
Zebedees' wife asked if her sons could sit on the right and left of Christ in the kingdom. His answer: Matthew 20:20-23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. (why is Christ deferring to his Father?)
Matthew 24:35-36 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Christ said the temple (called heaven and earth by the Jews) would be destroyed. But why didn't he know the day and hour? Because the scripture states it had an appointed (kairos) time to happen, and the Father is the one who appointed that time.
Mans' doctrine of the incarnation: God came down and took on flesh is a lie, nowhere taught in the scripture, nowhere.
The scriptures doctrine of the incarnation: 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (God sent his son, not himself) John repeats this doctrine in 2 John 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Lastly, will leave you with this thought and it is not a paradox. It can be fully understood. God is not a God of confusion. Can God be tempted by evil? The answer is no. Was Jesus Christ tempted by evil? The answer is yes, in every way. Do you see the doctrinal problem of the trinity? God came down to earth, became a man, acted as if he could be tempted, when in all reality he can't be gospel becomes a farce, laughable. Just a side show people, nothing to see message is sent in love, your friend

[DrJeffreyMSeder]

Paul was a false apostle don't listen to him!

[Natsar-Torah]

The silly Greeks were quick to worship Paul and Barnabas as God's.. Its no surprise they wrongly jumped in head first to make Jesus God

[owenshaw]

Paul believe Paul was the ‘Christ’, not the God of Israel who he calls ‘the Lord’..

[dissidentfairy]

I agree with you and Arius that Jesus isn't God.

[Phillip-ng]

Mr. Tabor makes us christians ( so called) ...think and re-read ...i suggest that this short life is not teally long enough to get it all but that is why faith is so very important....be happy all God does for us and happy for people who think somewhat different. We may talk communicate and no hatting ....like some people online who demonize whole people groups just because they worship God on a different day than they.

[kamenrider-viws]

Thanks Professor for this enlightening teaching which confirms the idea that I have formed after reading the gospels independent of the church's interpretation.

[thumbstruck]

Humans have always sought to over define things - human reasoning becoming the foundation for belief.