Jesus Is Human, Not God. 2 John 1:7

Philippians 2:9-11, John 13:13, Matthew 15:9, and 2 John 1:7

An Exegesis of Human Teaching, Jesus' Coming as a Man, and the Divinity of Christ

Jesus Is Human, Not God. 2 John 1:7

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Abstract

This article responds to two objections often raised against the divinity of Jesus based on Matthew 15:9—which speaks about human teaching—and 2 John 1:7—which states that Jesus "came as a man." The first objection claims that the confession of Jesus as Kyrios in Philippians 2:9-11 and John 13:13 is "human teaching" (of Paul) that is not based on divine authority. The second objection uses 2 John 1:7 as if it says that Jesus is "merely human." Using the entire framework established in our previous discussions—including the analysis of Isaiah 43:10, birth as determining nature, and the uniqueness of the incarnation—this article shows that Matthew 15:9 actually reinforces the authority of the apostles because they teach what they received from Christ, and 2 John 1:7 affirms the incarnation, not denies Jesus' divinity. The key word "came" (erchomenon) in 2 John 1:7 is the theological key: Jesus came as a man—He is the pre-existent God who came into the flesh. Thus, these two verses, when read correctly, actually strengthen our entire narrative about love that cannot be delegated and the incarnation as God's final act.

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1. Introduction: Two Objections and the Need for Sharp Exegesis

Throughout our entire discussion, we have established that:

1. Jesus is Lord (Kyrios)—equal to YHWH (Philippians 2:10-11; John 13:13).

2. Jesus is the incarnate God—God who became man.

3. Birth determines nature—Jesus was born of Mary so He is human, and eternally begotten of the Father so He is God.

4. Isaiah 43:10 and 45:23 affirm the uniqueness and divinity of YHWH, which are applied to Jesus.

However, two objections arise that need to be answered:

1. Matthew 15:9—"In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Objection: "The confession of Jesus as Lord in Philippians and John is Paul's teaching—human teaching, not God's word."

2. 2 John 1:7—"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh." Objection: "This verse says Jesus is human, not God."

We will answer both objections with sharp exegesis consistent with our entire discussion.

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2. Matthew 15:9—Human Teaching vs. God's Teaching

2.1. The Text of Matthew 15:9

"In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

Context: Jesus condemns the Pharisees and scribes who replaced God's commandments with human traditions (Matthew 15:1-9).

2.2. Misunderstandings about Matthew 15:9

Misunderstanding | Explanation

"All human teaching is vain." | Wrong. Jesus condemned traditions that replace God's word, not all teaching delivered by humans.

"Paul's teaching is human teaching, therefore vain." | Wrong. Paul is an apostle sent by Christ and received revelation from Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). His teaching is God's word.

"The confession of Jesus as Lord is Paul's teaching, not Jesus'." | Wrong. Jesus Himself accepted the title Kyrios (John 13:13) and received worship (Matthew 28:9).

2.3. Correction of Interpretation: The Authority of the Apostles

Aspect | Explanation | Reference

Jesus' Authority | Jesus is the sovereign Lord—He taught with divine authority. | Matthew 7:28-29

The Apostles' Authority | The apostles received authority from Jesus to teach and write Scripture. | John 14:26; 16:13; 20:21

Paul's Teaching | Paul received his gospel directly from Christ—not from men. | Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:37

Confession of Jesus as Lord | This confession is based on divine revelation, not human tradition. | 1 Corinthians 12:3

Formulation:

"Matthew 15:9 does not reject the apostles' teaching. It rejects human traditions that replace God's word. Paul's teaching about Jesus as Kyrios is not 'human teaching' in that sense—it is divine revelation received by Paul from Christ Himself. Therefore, the confession of Jesus as Lord in Philippians 2:10-11 and John 13:13 is God's word, not human tradition."

2.4. Connection to Philippians 2:9-11 and John 13:13

Matthew 15:9 (Human Tradition) | Philippians 2:9-11 / John 13:13 (Divine Revelation)

"Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." | "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Human tradition replaces God's word. | Divine revelation fulfills God's word (Isaiah 45:23).

Pharisaic teaching is human teaching. | Paul's teaching is divine revelation—from Christ, not from men.

Formulation:

"Philippians 2:9-11 is not 'human teaching' in the sense of Matthew 15:9. It is divine revelation received by Paul from Christ—and it fulfills Isaiah 45:23, where YHWH declares that every knee shall bow to Him. Therefore, the confession of Jesus as Lord is God's word, not human tradition."

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3. 2 John 1:7—"Came as a Man"

3.1. The Text of 2 John 1:7

"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist."

Analysis:

Greek Word | Meaning | Explanation

ἐρχόμενον (erchomenon) | "Coming"—active present participle, indicating a coming from somewhere (heaven). | Jesus came into the flesh—He already existed beforehand.

ἐν σαρκί (en sarki) | "In the flesh" or "as a man." | Jesus took on human nature.

3.2. Misunderstandings about 2 John 1:7

Misunderstanding | Explanation

"This verse says Jesus is human, not God." | Wrong. This verse says Jesus came as a man—showing that He already existed before becoming human.

"This verse denies Jesus' divinity." | Wrong. This verse actually affirms Jesus' divinity: He is God who came into the flesh.

"Jesus 'came' means He began His existence as a human." | Wrong. The word erchomenon ("coming") indicates movement from one place to another—from heaven to earth.

3.3. Correction of Interpretation: "Came" as the Theological Key

Aspect | Explanation | Reference

Jesus already existed beforehand. | The word "came" (erchomenon) shows that Jesus already existed before He came into the flesh. | John 1:1-3, 14; 8:58

Jesus is God who came. | Jesus did not "become" human from nothing; He is God who came into the flesh. | John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-7

Jesus is Christ—the Anointed One. | "Jesus Christ" is the full name: Jesus (human) is Christ (the Anointed One). | Matthew 16:16

Denial of the incarnation is antichrist. | 2 John 1:7 says that those who deny that Jesus came in the flesh are deceivers. | 2 John 1:7

Formulation:

"2 John 1:7 does not say that Jesus is 'merely human.' It says that Jesus—who is God—has come as a man. The word 'came' (erchomenon) is the key: He already existed before His coming. He is God who descended into the flesh. Those who deny the incarnation—that Jesus is God who came as a man—are deceivers and antichrists."

3.4. Connection to Our Entire Discussion: The Incarnation as a Coming

Concept | Explanation | 2 John 1:7

Jesus' Pre-existence | Jesus already existed before becoming human. | "Came" (erchomenon)—He already existed beforehand.

Incarnation as a Coming | God descended into the flesh. | "Came as a man" (en sarki).

Kenosis | God humbled Himself to become human. | Jesus is God who came into the flesh.

Denial of Incarnation is Antichrist | Denying that Jesus is God who came as a man is a great sin. | "Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist."

Formulation:

"2 John 1:7 is an affirmation of the incarnation, not a denial. It says that Jesus—who is God—has come as a man. The word 'came' shows that He already existed beforehand. He is not a human who was 'elevated' to become God; He is God who 'came' to become human. This is the incarnation we believe: God who descended to save His people."

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4. Unity: Matthew 15:9, 2 John 1:7, and the Divinity of Jesus

4.1. Matthew 15:9 and the Authority of Scripture

Matthew 15:9 | Philippians 2:9-11 / John 13:13 | Synthesis

"Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." | "Jesus Christ is Lord." | The confession of Jesus as Lord is not human tradition, but divine revelation.

Jesus condemned human traditions that replace God's word. | Paul taught based on revelation from Christ. | Paul's teaching is God's word, not human tradition.

4.2. 2 John 1:7 and the Incarnation

2 John 1:7 | Our Entire Discussion | Synthesis

"Jesus Christ has come as a man." | Jesus is the incarnate God. | Jesus came into the flesh—He is the pre-existent God.

"Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist." | Denying the incarnation is denying salvation. | Those who deny that Jesus is God who came as a man are antichrists.

4.3. Final Synthesis

Principle | Matthew 15:9 | 2 John 1:7 | The Divinity of Jesus

Authority of Scripture | The apostles' teaching is divine revelation, not human tradition. | John affirms the incarnation as essential truth. | The confession of Jesus as Lord is God's word.

Incarnation as a Coming | — | Jesus came as a man—He already existed beforehand. | Jesus is God who came into the flesh.

Denial of Incarnation | — | Denial of the incarnation is antichrist. | Denying Jesus' divinity is deception.

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5. Conclusion: Matthew 15:9 and 2 John 1:7 Affirm Jesus' Divinity

This article has proven that:

1. Matthew 15:9 does not reject the apostles' teaching. It rejects human traditions that replace God's word. Paul's teaching about Jesus as Kyrios is divine revelation, not human tradition.

2. Philippians 2:9-11 and John 13:13 are God's word that fulfill Isaiah 45:23—where YHWH declares that every knee shall bow to Him. Jesus is the incarnate YHWH.

3. 2 John 1:7 does not say that Jesus is "merely human." It says that Jesus—who is God—came as a man. The word "came" (erchomenon) shows that Jesus already existed beforehand and descended into the flesh.

4. Denial of the incarnation—that Jesus is God who came as a man—is deception and antichrist.

5. Matthew 15:9 and 2 John 1:7, when read correctly, affirm Jesus' divinity: He is God who came as a man, and the confession about Him is divine revelation, not human teaching.

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Final Formulation

"Matthew 15:9 says: 'In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' But the teaching about Jesus as Kyrios—the incarnate Lord—is not a commandment of men. It is divine revelation received by the apostles from Christ Himself. Philippians 2:10-11 is the fulfillment of Isaiah 45:23, where YHWH declares that every knee shall bow to Him. And 2 John 1:7 affirms that Jesus is God who came as a man—not an ordinary human, but God who descended into the flesh. The word 'came' (erchomenon) is the key: He already existed beforehand. He is not a human who was 'elevated' to become God; He is God who 'came' to become human. Those who deny this are deceivers and antichrists. Therefore, we firmly confess: Jesus Christ is Lord—equal to YHWH, who came as a man to save His people. This is holy love—love that cannot be delegated, love that is personally present, love that is faithful unto death, and love that triumphs over death. This is perfect divine monogamy: one God, one Bridegroom, one incarnation, one sacrifice, one salvation, forever and ever."

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Soli Deo Gloria.

Jesus is Lord—YHWH who came as a man. To Him, the only wise God, to Him, through Him, and in Him, be all glory forever and ever. Amen.