What does Abba mean?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

“Abba” is a deeply personal word that expresses an intimate, trusting relationship with God as Father—like a child calling out “Daddy.” The first example in Scripture of a close father-son relationship is between Abraham and Isaac. Abraham had waited most of his life to have a son, yet after Isaac was born, he was told by God to use him as a sacrifice (Genesis 22). Yet God did not actually allow Isaac to be sacrificed. Rather, he was using Abraham and Isaac to foreshadow the future sacrifice He would bring to completion through His only Son, Jesus Christ.

Today, because of this sacrifice, we can call God “Abba” along with Jesus (Mark 14:36; John 1:12–13). We must remember, though, that it is only through salvation we can be “born again” (John 3:1–8) and be adopted into God’s family (John 3:16-18; Romans 8:15). Through this new relationship with God, we are deemed heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), given the Holy Spirit who cries “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6), and granted access to God at all times (Hebrews 10:22). Having God as our Father (Matthew 6:9) should be what motivates us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which (we) have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• In Genesis 22, we read of the historical account of Abraham being told by God to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, and the heartbreaking moments in which he almost did. This story gives us a small window into what God experienced when He chose to sacrifice His only Son, Jesus Christ, for mankind so we could become His children. In Abraham’s case, God provided a different sacrifice instead of Isaac, but in God’s case, Jesus was sacrificed. This should help us understand just how much God loves us as His children and why He truly is our Abba.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, He began with “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9), revealing to us how important it is to know our identity in Christ. Our prayers should start with acknowledging who God is to us.
• In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that if it was in God’s will, He desired to be spared from the physical and spiritual torment He was about to suffer. In this heartfelt prayer, Jesus refers to God as His Abba: "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36). As believers, we can cry out to God as our Abba in our most challenging moments, too.
• Only believers actually have God as their Abba (John 1:12–13). When we are born again through belief in Jesus Christ (John 3:1–8), we are adopted into God’s family.
• Not everyone is a child of God. Only those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior can have an intimate relationship with God as their Abba (John 3:16-18).
• Once we become believers, our identity shifts not only to being God’s children but also to being His heirs and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
• As believers, our relationship with God has completely transformed. We were once slaves to our sin, but Romans 8:15 assures us that the Holy Spirit has done a new work in our lives: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!" When we are saved, our sins do not define us anymore—our relationship to God as our Heavenly Father does.
• Before Jesus, people were enslaved to the law. Now, the law is our guide, but we who have trusted in Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins are set free from both the law and our sin. Galatians 4:6 affirms that we are now beloved children of God in whom the Holy Spirit lives: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
• Being a child of God is the greatest gift of salvation. This is what should motivate us to serve God well (Ephesians 4:1).
• Thankfully, Hebrews 10:22 assures God’s children can approach His throne of grace "boldly." We have access to our Abba at all times.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As believers, God is our Abba. For some, this is a difficult concept, as they have not had a good role model of a father in their lives. For others, this is easily understandable, as they have had a good father in their lives. Regardless, the reality that God is our Abba should comfort us: He is the perfect Father who will love us, point us to truth, and take care of us.

Because of this truth, we can be encouraged that God loves us. We are not just owned by God; we are adopted as His sons and daughters. Just like a loving father and his beloved child, God sees us as precious and worthy of love and enjoys spending time with us. Even better, unlike an earthly father, we have access to God at all times—we can run to him whenever we want and in whatever mental or emotional state we are in. Even when we mess up in our spiritual walk, God does not condemn us or disown us as His child. Rather, he welcomes us with open arms and compassion (Luke 15:11–32). Understanding God’s identity as our Abba is what should inspire us to grow in a closer, more intimate relationship with Him.

UNDERSTAND

• As adopted sons and daughters, we have the privilege of calling God our “Abba.”
• When we are received into God’s family, our entire identity transforms, and we become saints, citizens of heaven, and heirs with Jesus Christ.
• Our relationship with God as our Abba should be what inspires us to live godly lives—not out of obligation but out of love for Him as our Heavenly Father.

REFLECT

• When you think about God as “Abba,” what comes to mind?
• What does the truth that you are adopted into God’s family reveal about God's love for you and how He sees you?
• In what areas of your life are you still relating to God more like a distant authority rather than a loving Father?

ENGAGE

• It’s easy to see our Heavenly Father through the lens of past hurts inflicted on us by absent or abusive fathers—how can Christians see God as who He truly is?
• What are things Christians can do to foster a closer relationship with God every day so it feels more natural to refer to God as our Abba?
• What are practical things we can do to remind ourselves of our identity as God’s beloved children?