CHRIST JESUS AND JESUS CHRIST IN SCRIPTURE

[Notes from Dr. John Danish, Pastor Teacher, Berean Memorial Church, Irving, Texas; Audio Tape #35 AM, dated 4-8-01, 'The Philosophy of Deception', Col 2:8-15]:

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes in Scripture we have the expression "Christ Jesus" and sometimes we have "Jesus Christ". There is consistency of background which follows the use of one or the other.

"Christ" = "Christos" = our Lord's Messianic name.

"Jesus" = "Iesous" = His Savior name.

PASSAGES WITH "CHRIST JESUS"

Stresses the exalted Son of God Who graciously emptied Himself of, i.e., set aside His divine prerogatives, adding to Himself the form of perfect humanity so to take the penalty of sins of the whole world by dying on the cross at calvary - forever to remain the GodMan. So when the Apostle Paul uses the term "Christ Jesus" he is emphasizing the grace of God.

[Phil 2:5-8 N.A.S.]:

(v. 5) "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

(v. 6) Who, although He subsisted in the form of God [He was God], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped [to maintain that status in terms of exercising His godly attributes],

(v. 7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men [but without the sin nature].

(v. 8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

[Compare Phil 3:3]:

(v. 3) "For it is we [believers] who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh."

Paul is stressing the grace of God here with the phrase "Christ Jesus".

It is what the Son of God has done - the grace of God.

PASSAGES WITH "JESUS CHRIST"

When Paul used Jesus Christ he is stressing the despised and rejected Son of God Who by grace had come from heaven and was crucified and then buried but then resurrected in great glory.

[Phil 2:11]:

"And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."

SUMMARY

"Christ Jesus" speaks of grace of the Son of God whereas "Jesus Christ" speaks of the His glory as Diety the moment of His resurrection.