11/29/2025

 

Samuel Clifford

 

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John‬ ‭5:30‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

 

““I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
‭‭(John‬ ‭5‬:‭30‬ ‭NASB)

 

Some Unitarians argue that John 5:30 disproves the doctrine of the Trinity because one of the Trinity’s key tenets is that all members of the Trinity are equal. However, John 5:30 does not disprove this tenet for many reasons.

 

Firstly, this verse is transitional as it concludes the section on Jesus’ unity with the Father (v. 19-30). Secondly, as John 5:30 states, Jesus is the perfect spokesman of the Father. Jesus’ will is to do the Fathers Will (John 4:34; 8:29), which shows that He has the same nature (essence). Thirdly, this verse fits completely with my post. As I stated, the Father and Son are equal in essence, as both are God. However, the Son is subordinate to the Father, and does nothing without the concurrence and the authority of the Father.

 

Essence is Equal

Subsistence is not Equal

 

This is a simple concept that many can’t pick up on. Likely because they are scared of believing something they cannot fully understand. However, that’s just what God is, God is a being that is beyond fully understanding.

 

“Behold, God is great, and we know him not, Neither can the number of his years be searched out.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭36:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬