Question: Does 1 Corinthians 15:28 teach that God the Son is inherently inferior to God the Father, that is, possessing inferior, limited attributes of deity?

Reply: Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:28, "And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. " This verse seems to be a parallel of verse 24 where Paul said, "Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power."

The discussion in this passage to the last things - the time when Christ shall return. At that time He will deliver up the kingdom, which may be properly termed the mediatorial kingdom. His kingdom (1 Cor. 15:25,26) and His work of mediation exist now, and will continue until His second coming. "He ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Heb. 7:25). The kingdom will be delivered up to God the Father and His mediatorial work will cease at His coming, but He will not be inferior to God the Father as to deity. He will not continue in the same role, but this is not contradictory to His nature which will remain the same.

When Christ left His heavenly home of splendor to come down to earth, He took the form of a servant (Phil. 2:5-8). His condescendence did in no way divest Him of His divine nature. He remained deity but He assumed a different role. 1 Corinthians 15:28 can be better understood when we properly distinguish the terms "nature" and "role." At His future coming, His role of subjection will not contradict His deity nor will it nullify it. Both the Son and the Father possess the same divine nature -- They are both deity.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 13, p. 389
July 3, 1986