Beth-El Baptist Church

12/09/2007

Greg Tomlinson


Is Isaiah 9:6 a direct reference to the Trinity?


Isaiah 9:6 is a popular verse mentioned around Christmas time as it refers to the birth of the Christ child. In that verse several names (4 or 5 depending on one's point of view) are given to this child that many see as indicators of the definition of the three persons of the trinity. To understand who this child is time needs to be spent on the names that this child will have.


  1. What does it mean by 'the government shall be upon his shoulder'?

Matthew 7:28-29; 28:18 Mark 1:27

John 5:21-23 Revelation 1:18; 17:14; 19:16

1 Timothy 6:14-16


The government being upon his shoulder indicates that he is the ruler of all rulers and carries all real authority. There is no one who can overrule him.


  1. What does it mean for his name to be “wonderful”?

Exodus 15:11 Psalm 77:11-14; 78:12-14; 88:9-12; 89:5-6

Isaiah 25:1-2; 29:13-14


Another way to translate this word would be 'divine miracle'. In the scriptures it is always used to describe the works of God in such a way that no one else, or nothing else, could have ever accomplished the work that God does.


Note that some translations combine 'wonderful' and 'counselor' together as one name 'wonderful counselor'. An argument from linguistics could be made in support of this translation. This comes from the combination of pairings of adjectives and nouns and the literal structure of the final two name. This translation would yield 'diving miracle working counselor, the mighty God, the Father of eternity, the Prince of Peace' . Both translations makes perfect sense regarding God, who is Jesus the Messiah.


  1. Is the name 'counsellor' indicating God the Holy Spirit?

Exodus 18:19 Numbers 24:14

2 Samuel 17:7-11 1 Kings 12:6-13

Isaiah 14:24-27; 45:21 John 14:26

Mark 3:28-29; 13:11 Luke 12:10-12

1 Corinthians 2:13 2 Peter 1:20-21

2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5 Ephesians 1:12-14


The identifying mark of 'counsellor' is never used of the Holy Spirit. The function of a counselor is associated with the Holy Spirit however. It is the Holy Spirit that moved the writers of the scriptures as to what to say. It is the Holy Spirit that will give the persecuted Christian the words to say at the right time. It is the Holy Spirit that enables the Christian to live a life of faith. The idea of a counselor, especially when tied with 'wonderful', is that of a person who has the wisdom of God and His holiness. This is a specific attribute of God unlike anything present with man, except Jesus.

Consider the relationship between counsel and being a king:

Proverbs 8:12-16; 16:10; 25:2; 29:4


Counsel and being a king go very much together. The difference with this child thou is that he will reign and will already have the perfect counsel within himself.


  1. What is the meaning behind 'The mighty God'?

Deuteronomy 7:21 Psalm 50:1; 132:2, 5

Isaiah 10:21 Jeremiah 32:18

Habakkuk 1:12 Hebrews 1:7-9

John 5:18 Philippians 2:5-11 cmp Isaiah 45:22-24

Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12 cmp Revelation 1:11, 17-18; 2:8; 22:13

1 Timothy 3:16


Remember that this passage is talking about the 'names' of the the child that is to be born. The indication that this child shall be 'The mighty God' is a direct specification that the child will be God in flesh. It is narrowly focusing on the reality of the divinity of the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord of all. He is Yahweh (Jehovah) in the flesh.


  1. Is 'The everlasting Father' indicating the God the Father?

Exodus 15:18 Psalm 22:26; 45:6; 48:14

Micah 4:4-5 Romans 8:10-11, 29-30

Colossians 1:13-18 John 5:21; 10:30-33


Interpreting the scriptures consistently requires the understanding of this name as being attributed to the child that is born. Therefore it is to be rightly understood that it is the child, Jesus, who is the Father of eternity. It is Jesus who gives eternal life to whosoever he desires. He is the 'Father of eternity' because those who are borne by him have eternal life.


  1. Is 'The Prince of Peace' indicating God the Son?

Mark 9:50 Luke 1:76-79; 10:5-6

John 14:27 Acts 10:36

Romans 5:1-2; 8:4-8; 10:15; 14:17-19; 15:13, 33; 16:19-20

Ephesians 2:13-18 Philippians 4:7-9

Colossians 1:19-21; 3:15 2 Peter 3:14

Revelatin 1:4


The 'Prince of Peace' could also be translated as 'the Ruler of Peace'. This is an indication of the work that Jesus, the Son, will do. It is Jesus who brings peace with God to men so that we can be reconciled and dwell with Him for all eternity. It is the peace of God that is to dwell in our hearts and rule us.


Summary:


Each of the names given are pictures of the character of God. It is this character that can be found in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit of God. This particular passage though is focusing in on the Son and as such they are attributes of Jesus. He is the divine worker of counsel, he is the mighty God, he is the Father of eternity, He is the ruler of peace. These are attributes of the Son but contextually speaking, they are not references to all three persons of the Trinity. They are very clear markers of the divine nature of Jesus Christ, God in flesh.