THE TRUE MANHOOD OF CHRIST

His essential humanity

The purpose of this paper is to confirm that Christ was a Man in the absolute sense of possessing the nature of mankind. Clearly He could not have been a true representative of humanity, a genuine kinsman who could sympathise with our infirmities, had He not possessed human nature, sin apart.

In this connection, the gospels testify that He felt compassion, that He wept, groaned within Himself, sorrowed and was distressed, all manifestations of the nature of man. What He did not manifest were the negative aspects of human nature arising from sin, for “in Him was no sin” 1 John 3:5.

Perhaps the most telling affirmation of His absolute manhood is found in 1 Cor. 15 where He is declared to be an Adam, “the last Adam”, v.45. This identification with the first man Adam, as to His humanity, is most significant. Christ was a genuine Adam, a true Man. He was also the “Second Man” of v.47, the Second and New Man at the head of a second and new (spiritual) order of mankind.

Christ became like His brethren, Heb.2:17, Phil.2:7, but not the same, an important distinction. This difference is alluded to in His title of “Second Man”, which implies some difference from the first man. The first man Adam possessed human nature that was intrinsically flawed, whereas the Second Man possessed human nature that was untainted and separate from sin – different.

Some have seen this distinction in Heb.2:14 where Christ the Son is stated to be a partaker or sharer in humanity in like manner as His brethren. Two words are employed for “partake” in this verse. In the case of His brethren the word is koinoneo, which indicates a common sharing. But in the case of the Son of God the word is metecho, indicating a restricted sharing. The Second Man partook of human nature in every sense apart from the concomitant sin common to Adam’s race – restricted sharing.

It is not perhaps without significance that scholarly and notable brethren have also seen confirmation of Christ’s partaking of human nature in Heb.2:14 and in v.17. Among them, W.E. Vine avers (Dictionary of New Testament Words) that, in being made like His brethren, Christ was “a partaker of human nature, apart from sin”. And in writing of Christ’s humanity, former magazine editor H.C. Hewlett states (The Glories of our Lord) “None who knew Him could ever entertain a doubt as to the reality of His human nature” and “to our Lord belonged humanity in the absolute sense”.

We are glad to note the views of these distinguished brethren.

In summary, we have long held the view that Christ the Lord was a Man wholly identified with His present people, viz. a Man with two natures, divine and human, the First of a new order of mankind.  In becoming a Man He acquired human nature, whereas His present people, in becoming a new man, acquire the divine nature.

He who was the Last Adam and Second Man was also the Lord from heaven.

We should beware those who would diminish His absolute humanity equally as those who would deny His deity, for He was both God and Man absolutely.