1 Corinthians 15:28

Here’s a hypothetical conversation between a Jehovah’s witness (JW) and a Catholic (C) based on 1 Corinthians 15:28, which states, “When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”

JW: I still struggle with 1 Corinthians 15:28, where it says the Son will be subjected to the Father. Doesn’t this mean Jesus is inferior?

C: To fully grasp that verse, it’s helpful to look at Philippians 2:6-13. Paul talks about Jesus, who, “though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

JW: How does that relate to His subjection?

C: This passage highlights Jesus’ humility and obedience. He voluntarily took on human nature, suffered, and died on the cross, all in obedience to the Father’s will. His subjection isn’t about inferiority; it’s about His role in the divine plan of salvation. And importantly, after His resurrection, Jesus is highly exalted by God, given the name above every name, showing His victory and divine status.

JW: So, His subjection is part of His humility and mission?

C: Exactly. Philippians 2 continues to say that at Jesus’ name, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This shows that Jesus’ subjection leads to His exaltation and acknowledgment as Lord (see St. John 8:28-29). It’s a powerful testament to His divinity and mission to reconcile all things to God.

JW: But is this subjection permanent?

C: In His incarnate mission, Jesus shows perfect obedience to the Father, but this doesn’t imply a permanent state of subordination. Instead, it highlights the unity and love within the Trinity. After completing His earthly mission, Jesus is exalted and reigns as Lord. His subjection is about fulfilling His role in God’s salvation plan, culminating in His glorification, which 1 Corinthians 15:28 refers to when it speaks of God being “all in all.”

JW: And this doesn’t compromise His divinity?

C: Not at all. In fact, it magnifies it. Jesus, fully God and fully man, humbled Himself to death on a cross for our salvation and was then exalted by the Father. This cycle of humility and exaltation reflects the profound mystery of the Incarnation and the Trinity. Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, we see the fullness of God’s love and the depth of Jesus’ obedience and victory.

JW: This paints a much broader picture of Jesus’ role and nature.

C: Indeed, it does. Understanding Jesus’ humility, obedience, and exaltation helps us grasp the depth of His love and the true nature of His kingdom. Philippians 2:6-13 invites us to follow Jesus’ example of humility and to recognize Him as Lord, fully divine and fully human, who reconciles us to God.

This script is designed to present a simplified but respectful dialogue between a Jehovah’s witness and a Catholic on interpreting 1 Corinthians 15:28, highlighting the complex theological concept of the Trinity and the incarnational mission of Jesus within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.