Christology The Hypostatic Union

Definition The term “hypostatic” comes from the Greek word ‘upostasis and means “substantial nature, essence, actual being, reality.” Heb. 1:3 states that Christ is “an exact representation of his (= God’s) real being.”

Christ was God and He was man, both at the same time Christ was God and He was man, both at the same time. At no time in His earthly sojourn and since has He ever ceased to be God and man at the same time. He was not man who became God (the error of paganism). He was God who became man at the point of His incarnation (John 1:14). He was not man indwelt by God which is the experience of every believer. He was the God-man. Neither was Christ partly God and partly man. He was completely God and completely man without division or separation. (Heb. 5:5-9; Col. 1:27)

Christ possesses the essence of both deity and humanity to the fullest extent. He is no less God for being man and no less man for being God. This statement of fact does not remove the element of faith in embracing the fact. We cannot understand the hypostatic union any more than we can fathom the mystery of the Trinity. (Col. 2:1-3)

The Nature of the Union Two natures exist in one person. Consequently at times there seems to be a contradiction until the attribute being manifested is described in terms of which nature is affected. Christ could be weak in body yet omnipotent in power (Matthew 28:18). He could increase in knowledge (Luke 2:52) and yet omniscient (John 2:24,25). He could be physically present and spiritually omnipresent.

The difference between the humanity and deity of Christ poses difficulties impossible for us to reconcile, yet He possesses the two natures in a dynamic tension that we cannot understand. Some attributes are purely human such as thirst (John 19:28) and others are purely divine such as His eternal preexistence. Christ maintains the ability to be both human and divine at the same time without impinging upon either.

The Eternality of the Union Before the incarnation the essence of Christ was spirit (John 4:24). In the incarnation divine Spirit was joined to humanity (Galatians 4:4). We think of the body of man as perishing and therefore anything but eternal. Our thinking is incorrect. Christ gave up His Spirit to vacate the body on the cross (Matt. 27:50) yet in His resurrection possessed a glorified yet physical body. (Luke 24:36-43)

The Purpose of the Union While we may struggle to compass the mystery of the hypostatic union, we are very capable of appreciating the value of it. The incarnation produced a sympathetic intercessor for every believer. (Heb. 2:14-17; 4:14-16) Paul’s reference to the mediatorial ministry of Christ was in terms of the humanity of Christ. (1 Tim. 2:5)

Our Lord’s eternal priesthood is based upon his humanity (Heb Our Lord’s eternal priesthood is based upon his humanity (Heb. 7:11-16) His kingship upon the throne of David is based upon His humanity. (Luke 1:31-33) Worship is afforded to Christ because of His deity. Eternal life given to every believer is the byproduct of His deity. (Gal. 2:20; 1 John 5:11)