How are both Jesus and the Bible the Word of God?

Quick answer

Jesus is the living Word of God while the Bible is God’s written Word, both perfectly revealing God’s character and plan. Both Jesus and the Bible are active, powerful, and trustworthy, accomplishing God’s purposes in our lives.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible and Jesus together reveal the fullness of God’s Word. Both reveal who God is and His plans and purposes for humanity. Jesus is the living Word who perfectly embodies God’s character and plan, and Scripture is the written Word that communicates God’s truth. Both are living, active, and powerful, accomplishing God’s purposes. Both transform hearts and guide us to live for Him. Through His Word, God calls us to know Him, follow Him, and trust in Him. As we know and heed God’s Word, it works in and through us to accomplish His good purposes.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

God often delivered His message through prophets who faithfully communicated His words (e.g., Exodus 4:12; Jeremiah 1:9; Isaiah 55:11). These messages were considered God’s Word because they revealed His will, guided His people, and accomplished His purposes.

In passages like Isaiah 55:10–11, God compares His Word to rain and snow that accomplish what He sends it to do.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Both Jesus and the Bible are referred to as the Word of God. Probably the most well-known use of the Word of God as a title for Jesus is John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Logos is the Greek word used in John 1:1, and it means the entire message from someone, in this case God. God's entire message is encapsulated within Jesus. Jesus is the Good News, in entirety (see also, Colossians 1:19; 2:9).

Additionally, logos appears in the New Testament when writers describe the written message of God (1 Timothy 4:5; Colossians 1:25; Hebrews 4:12).

Jesus used the word logos when praying for His followers: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17).

Rhema is another Greek word translated "word" in English. It means the actual spoken or written words of God (Hebrews 6:5). Jesus referred to the rhema when tempted and He replied: "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4).

Rhema is also used in Ephesians 6:17 to describe the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Word of God is more than just the actual word on a page or the utterances on our lips. It is the living, active, and powerful message of God Himself. The Word of God reveals God’s character, will, and truth. The Word of God transforms hearts and guides us in godly living. Overall, God' s Word accomplishes His purposes. These things can be said about both Jesus and the Bible. God communicates to us in many ways—through His creation (Psalm 19:1), through the prophets of ancient times (Hebrews 1:1), through the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-13), through Scripture (Hebrews 4:12), and through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:9). We are wise to pay attention to God's Word in every way.

This means making Jesus and the Bible our foundation. It means listening to Him because through Jesus and the Bible we are able to know God and His plan for humanity. We do this by reading and meditating on God’s Word, listening for His Spirit’s guidance. We observe who God is and how Jesus modeled God’s truth in action. God’s Word is living and active, and we can trust what it says to shape our decisions and transform our hearts in ways that mere human wisdom cannot. God’s message—through Scripture and through Christ—will accomplish all that He intends in our lives.

UNDERSTAND

Jesus is the living Word, fully revealing God’s character and plan in a person.

The Bible is God’s written Word, revealing God’s character in words.

Both Jesus and the Bible are active and powerful in helping us know God, in guiding us, and in transforming us.

REFLECT

How are you making both Jesus and Scripture the foundation of your faith?

How has God’s Word—through Jesus or the Bible—transformed your heart, actions, or perspective recently?

Where in your life do you struggle to trust or obey God’s Word, and why?

ENGAGE

How would you explain the ways in which Jesus and the Bible are God’s Word?

How can we help each other better hear, understand, and apply God’s Word?

How does recognizing Jesus as the living Word influence the way we read and respond to the Bible?