No man has seen God at any time

[Stewardofthemystery]

It is written in John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

And Jesus said in John 14:6-7
King James Version
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

So if no man has seen God at any time, how do we reconcile what seems to be a contradiction? When you understand the identity of the Son of God being the very Word of God, then you will understand there is no contradiction.

It is the Word OF God that was made flesh in the man Jesus. And it is BY God’s Word and words that we get to know and see what God the Father is really like, His likes and dislikes. It is by God’s Word and words we get to see and know the will of God the Father.

In this way, by looking at the words and actions of Jesus Christ we get to see and know what The invisible God is really like.

We don’t see the outward image of God in Christ, but rather we see the inward image of God in Jesus Christ, as God was in Christ.

Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

When you understand this mystery then there is a harmony to the text without contradiction.

Peace and God bless

[Stewardofthemystery]

So John confessed by the Spirit “that no man has seen God at any time”

So who did John and the holy apostles see, hear, and touch with their own hands?

The answer is confirmed here….

1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”

Christ is the Word of God made flesh in Jesus, the Spirit agrees.

Peace

[Capbook]

So John confessed by the Spirit “that no man has seen God at any time”

So who did John and the holy apostles see, hear, and touch with their own hands?

The answer is confirmed here….

1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”

Christ is the Word of God made flesh in Jesus, the Spirit agrees.

Peace

The Son of God may be called "the Word," because he is the medium by which God promulgates His will and issues His commandments. See Heb 1:1-3.

Shalom

[Stewardofthemystery]

So John confessed by the Spirit “that no man has seen God at any time”

So who did John and the holy apostles see, hear, and touch with their own hands?

The answer is confirmed here….

1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”

Christ is the Word of God made flesh in Jesus, the Spirit agrees.

Peace

The Son of God may be called "the Word," because he is the medium by which God promulgates His will and issues His commandments. See Heb 1:1-3.

Shalom

When you understand that God “likened” His Word “like” a only begotten Son then the words of Jesus will make more sense when He is talking about the relationship between himself and the Father.

God’s Word is the power and wisdom of God by which God created all things. So yes, Gods Word always does the will of the Father as Jesus said. And the Father gave His Word a commandment, what He should say and what He should speak, as Jesus also said.

God’s Word also does the “works” of the Father, which is another reason why Christ is shown on or at the right hand of God.

John 10:37-38
King James Version
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

[Capbook]

It is written in John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

And Jesus said in John 14:6-7
King James Version
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

So if no man has seen God at any time, how do we reconcile what seems to be a contradiction? When you understand the identity of the Son of God being the very Word of God, then you will understand there is no contradiction.

It is the Word OF God that was made flesh in the man Jesus. And it is BY God’s Word and words that we get to know and see what God the Father is really like, His likes and dislikes. It is by God’s Word and words we get to see and know the will of God the Father.

In this way, by looking at the words and actions of Jesus Christ we get to see and know what The invisible God is really like.

We don’t see the outward image of God in Christ, but rather we see the inward image of God in Jesus Christ, as God was in Christ.

Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

When you understand this mystery then there is a harmony to the text without contradiction.

Peace and God bless

Yes, I believe that who was seen was Jesus. As Jesus also said in John 5:37
And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,(NIV)

[1213]

...
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
...

Good that you had this. Makes it clear how one can see God, without actually seeing God.

[Capbook]

...
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
...

Good that you had this. Makes it clear how one can see God, without actually seeing God.

Clark understand this phrase as, The counterpart of God Almighty, as Jesus as God also, and more explanations from his commentary below.

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

[Who is the image of the invisible God] The counterpart of God Almighty, and if the image of the invisible God, consequently nothing that appeared in him could be that image; for if it could be visible in the Son, it could also be visible in the Father; but if the Father be invisible, consequently his image in the Son must be invisible also. This is that form of God of which he divested himself; the ineffable glory in which he not only did not appear, as to its splendour and accompaniments, but concealed also its essential nature; that inaccessible light which no man, no created being, can possibly see.
(from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

[JehovahsWitness]

...
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
...

Good that you had this. Makes it clear how one can see God, without actually seeing God.

Clark understand this phrase as, The counterpart of God Almighty, as Jesus as God

I think Clark is wrong. If he wasn' t dead I'd tell him to his face.


JW

[1213]

...
[Who is the image of the invisible God] The counterpart of God Almighty, and if the image of the invisible God, consequently nothing that appeared in him could be that image; for if it could be visible in the Son, it could also be visible in the Father; but if the Father be invisible, consequently his image in the Son must be invisible also. This is that form of God of which he divested himself; the ineffable glory in which he not only did not appear, as to its splendour and accompaniments, but concealed also its essential nature; that inaccessible light which no man, no created being, can possibly see.
(from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Sorry, that doesn't sound very logical, but perhaps I don't understand it correctly. I think it would be best to remain just what is said in the Bible.

[Capbook]

...
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
...

Good that you had this. Makes it clear how one can see God, without actually seeing God.

Clark understand this phrase as, The counterpart of God Almighty, as Jesus as God

I think Clark is wrong. If he wasn' t dead I'd tell him to his face.


JW

I just would prefer Clark for deeper understanding of the Word of God. He had guided thousands of Bible students. He had written books used by many.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Over the years, this commentary has guided tens of thousands of Bible students to a deeper understanding of the Word of God. (quoted online)