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What Is the Incarnation?
The incarnation is the Son of God taking a human nature and remaining God. The Catechism says he became truly man while remaining truly God. John 1 says the Word was made flesh.
On this page
The incarnation is the Christian claim that the Son of God took a human nature and remained God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls “Incarnation” the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source says the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Key points
- John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source says the Word was made flesh. John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen source says the Word was God. - Philippians 2:6–72:6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:6–7 · King James VersionOpen source says he was in the form of God and took the form of a servant. - Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:4 · King James VersionOpen source says God sent forth his Son, made of a woman. Hebrews 2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:14 · King James VersionOpen source says he took part of flesh and blood. - 1 John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John 4:2 · King James VersionOpen source says every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. - Catechism 464 says he became truly man while remaining truly God, and that Jesus Christ is true God and true man. (6)
- Catechism 467 quotes Chalcedon: one and the same Son, in two natures, without confusion, change, division, or separation. (6)
- Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses do not confess that claim. Their sentences are below, in their own books.
What the word is for
The English word is built from the Latin for flesh. The sentence the Church is using is not a dictionary line. It is John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source. Spanish and Portuguese encarnación is that same word. It is not a different doctrine.
The Church calls “Incarnation” the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it.
Assumed a human nature. The paragraph does not say the Son stopped being God, and it does not say God turned into a man and left the Father behind. The Trinity is the confession that the one God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The deity of Christ is the claim that Jesus is God.
What the New Testament says
John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source, King James Version:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James Version
Philippians 2:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Philippians 2:6 · King James VersionOpen source says he was in the form of God and did not treat equality with God as robbery. Philippians 2:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:7 · King James VersionOpen source says he took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. Galatians 4:4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:4 · King James VersionOpen source says that when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Hebrews 2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:14 · King James VersionOpen source says that because the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise took part of the same. 1 John 4:2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John 4:2 · King James VersionOpen source makes “come in the flesh” the confession that marks the Spirit of God.
Hebrews 9:26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:26 · King James VersionOpen source says he appeared once, in the end of the world, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. That “once” is one coming in the flesh, not a series of births. What Hindus say about many lives is What Do Hindus Believe?.
True God and true man
Catechism 464 (6) says the incarnation does not mean Jesus is part God and part man, or a confused mixture. “He became truly man while remaining truly God. Jesus Christ is true God and true man.”
The same page names the early denials in the Church’s own words. Docetism denied his true humanity. Arius, the Catechism says, affirmed that the Son of God “came to be from things that were not.” Nestorius, as that paragraph describes him, regarded Christ as a human person joined to the divine person of the Son. The Monophysites, it says, affirmed that the human nature ceased to exist as such when the Son assumed it. Those are the Catechism’s labels. This page does not add a new one.
Catechism 467 (6) quotes the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The council’s confession, in the Catechism’s English, is that the Church teaches one and the same Son, perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity, truly God and truly man, consubstantial with the Father as to his divinity and consubstantial with us as to his humanity. Then:
We confess that one and the same Christ, Lord, and only-begotten Son, is to be acknowledged in two natures without confusion, change, division or separation.
Catechism 479 (6) says that without losing his divine nature he has assumed human nature. If Jesus is God, why did he pray? is the prayer, read beside that claim. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? is the cry from the cross.
Why the Son became man
Catechism 456 (6) answers with the Nicene Creed: “For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.”
The next paragraphs on that page say the Word became flesh to save us, to make God’s love known, and to be the model of holiness. The salvation claim on this site is the resurrection of Jesus. The birth narratives are Matthew 1 and Luke 1. What Do Christians Believe about Mary? quotes the churches on his mother and does not pick a side among them.
What Muslims say, and what Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible says
Saheeh International, Qur’an 4:171O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allāh except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allāh and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allāh and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allāh is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
Qur’an 4:171 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source: the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was a messenger of God and his word directed to Mary; do not say “Three”; God is exalted above having a son.
Saheeh International, Qur’an 5:72They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allāh is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allāh, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allāh - Allāh has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.
Qur’an 5:72 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source: they have disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.”
That is the Qur’an’s reading. It is not the Catechism’s. Can God Have a Son? and Tawhid and Christian Monotheism put the two side by side. Qur’an 112:1–41 Say, "He is Allāh, [who is] One,
2 Allāh, the Eternal Refuge.
3 He neither begets nor is born,
4 Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
Qur’an 112:1-4 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says he neither begets nor is born.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not confess that Jesus is God incarnate. Their Bible is the New World Translation.
- King James Version: the Word was God — John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen source - New World Translation, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible: the Word was a god — John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.
John 1:1 · New World Translation · Jehovah’s Witnesses’ BibleOpen source - King James Version: by him were all things created — Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:16 · King James VersionOpen source - New World Translation, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible: by means of him all other things were created — Colossians 1:16
because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:16 · New World Translation · Jehovah’s Witnesses’ BibleOpen source
The Greek under those verses is on the verse pages. John 1 and the Word, Is Jesus the Creator or a Creature?, and What Does “Firstborn of All Creation” Mean? are the longer comparisons. Is Jesus God? is the Christian claim in one page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the incarnation in simple words?
The Son of God took a human nature, was born of Mary, and remained God. John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source says the Word was made flesh. Catechism 464 says he became truly man while remaining truly God. (6)
Is the incarnation the same as reincarnation?
No. Hebrews 9:26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:26 · King James VersionOpen source says he appeared once to put away sin. Reincarnation is a series of lives. What Do Hindus Believe? is that hope, in Hindu texts.
Did God stop being God when he became man?
Catechism 479 says that without losing his divine nature he assumed human nature. (6) Philippians 2:6–72:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:6–7 · King James VersionOpen source sets the form of God and the form of a servant in the same person.
What does encarnación mean?
It is the Spanish and Portuguese word for incarnation. The claim it names is the one on this page.
Why did God become man?
Catechism 456 quotes the creed: for us and for our salvation he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made man. (6)
Keep reading
References
- Gospel of John, 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Letter to the Philippians, 2:6–72:6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:6–7 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Letter to the Galatians, 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:4 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Letter to the Hebrews, 2:14; 9:26
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:14 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - First Letter of John, 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John 4:2 · King James VersionOpen source. King James Version - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 461 (Official English on the Holy See’s website. Paragraphs 456, 464, and 467 are on this same page.)
- Qur’an, 4:171
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allāh except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allāh and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allāh and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allāh is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
Qur’an 4:171 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (Saheeh International.) - Qur’an, 5:72
They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allāh is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allāh, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allāh - Allāh has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.
Qur’an 5:72 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (Saheeh International.) - New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, John 1:1 (2013 revision)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.
John 1:1 · New World Translation · Jehovah’s Witnesses’ BibleOpen source (The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible.) - New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Colossians 1:16 (2013 revision)
because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:16 · New World Translation · Jehovah’s Witnesses’ BibleOpen source (The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible. The Study Edition prints “all other things.”)
See also
- Is Jesus God? Where Jesus Claimed to Be God — Yes. Jesus is truly God and truly human. He forgave sins, applied God’s name and honor to himself, and received Thomas’s confession that he is Lord and God.
- The Deity of Christ: Is Jesus God? — Yes. Christians confess that Jesus is truly God and truly human. The passages are in Is Jesus God?; this page maps how Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints, and atheists hear that confession.
- Does the Trinity Depend on 1 John 5:7? — The sentence about the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost in the King James Version of 1 John 5:7 was added later. The Trinity does not rest on it.
- The Trinity — Christians confess that the one God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: not three gods, and not one person taking turns.
- What Happened at the Council of Nicaea? — In 325 the bishops at Nicaea confessed the Son as true God from true God, of one substance with the Father, and anathematized the claim that there was a time when he was not. They also issued twenty disciplinary canons. They did not publish a list of biblical books.