Why Is Jesus Called Everlasting Father?

A prophecy about Jesus Christ in Isaiah mentions various names that apply to Him. One raises questions. How is the Son of God the “Everlasting Father”?

 

 

A prophecy in Isaiah states, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

All these titles are easily discerned except for one: Everlasting Father.

God the Father

What does it mean to be the Everlasting Father? We know that Scripture tells us that there is only one God the Father. The apostle Paul explained this in His letter to the Corinthian church:

“For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).

Paul also wrote a similar statement to the Ephesians. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Jesus Himself said that His Father was greater (John 14:28). And that will remain the case throughout eternity as the apostle Paul explained to the Corinthians.

“Then comes the end, when He [Jesus] delivers the kingdom to God the Father . . . when all things are made subject to Him [Jesus], then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him [the Father] who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28).

We can easily see from these scriptures that there is only one God the Father, and He will remain in this capacity throughout eternity. So, what does Jesus’ title Everlasting Father imply?

One key to understanding the title Everlasting Father lies in the biblical uses of the word father.

Biblical examples of the use of father

In Hebrew the term father can be used in a variety of ways, just as in English (for example, “the father of our country”). It can certainly mean a literal father, but it can also have meanings ranging from ancestor to ruler. So the biblical use of “father of” is not always literal.

Abraham is known as the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16).

Satan is identified as the father of lies because he told the first lie (John 8:44).

And the apostle Paul claimed to be the father of the Corinthian church when he wrote to them, “Though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15).

Now consider a literal translation of the phrase Everlasting Father.

Father of Eternity

The phrase in Isaiah 9:6 can be accurately translated the “Father of Eternity” (Young’s Literal Translation).

The Geneva Study Bible’s note about “everlasting Father” says: “The author of eternity, and by whom the Church and every member of it will be preserved forever, and have immortal life.”

The Bible confirms Jesus Christ (the “Father of Eternity”) as the author of eternal salvation.

Hebrews says, “And having been perfected, He [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

John, the apostle Jesus loved, wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). These both, known to us now as Jesus Christ and God the Father, are God and inhabit eternity (Isaiah 57:15).

They planned together that eternal salvation would be offered to mortal humans through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Son of God became the “author of eternal salvation,” and in that sense the “Father of Eternity”—the One through whom everlasting life is offered to men.

We think of Adam and Eve as the father and mother of all humanity (Genesis 3:20). Paul talked about another Adam and showed that those being converted “shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Corinthians 15:49). This “last Adam” became “a life-giving spirit” and thus in a sense the father of those who put on immortality (verses 45, 53).

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible states this concerning the phrase the everlasting Father: “The Chaldee [Paraphrase] renders this expression, ‘The man abiding forever.’ The Vulgate, ‘The Father of the future age.’ Lowth, ‘The Father of the everlasting age.’ Literally, it is the Father of eternity . . . The word rendered ‘everlasting’ . . . properly denotes ‘eternity,’ and is used to express ‘forever;’ see Psalm 9:6; Psalm 9:19; Psalm 19:10 . . .

“The Hebrews used the term father in a great variety of senses—as a literal father, a grandfather, an ancestor, a ruler, an instructor. The phrase may either mean the same as the Eternal Father, and the sense will be, that the Messiah will not . . . leave his people destitute after a short reign, but will rule over them and bless them forever . . . or it may be used in accordance with a custom usual in Hebrew and in Arabic, where he who possesses a thing is called the father of it.”

Continually watching over us like a father

The Messiah will not leave His people destitute after a short reign, but will rule over them and bless them forever. As Jesus said, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

And in the book of Hebrews it says, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

The idea of Christ continually watching over us is also mentioned in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges commentary. “The everlasting Father lit. Father of Eternity . . . ‘Father of Eternity’ describes the king, not as ‘possessor of the attribute of eternity’ but as one who continually acts as a father to his people.”

The One who later came as Jesus Christ was with ancient Israel and cared for them (1 Corinthians 10:4; John 8:56-58; see “Jesus in the Old Testament?”). In this sense He called Himself “a Father to Israel” (Jeremiah 31:9).

And Jesus becomes like a loving father to those whom He has purchased with His own blood.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you” (John 15:9).

The Berean Study Bible says:

“‘Everlasting’ denotes His eternal existence and unchanging nature, while ‘Father’ conveys care, protection, and provision. This title assures believers of the Messiah’s eternal presence and His loving, fatherly care for His people. It highlights the continuity of God’s covenant relationship with His people through the Messiah.”

Originator of the age to come

In summary, there is only one God the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ. Both are individual and distinct from each other. The title Father of Eternity does not suggest that Jesus will assume the position of God the Father, but rather, that He is the author or originator of a new future age to come.

Being the author or originator includes the fact that Jesus Himself became the firstborn of a new creation—a creation that involves converting corruptible humans who have a limited lifespan into incorruptible spirit beings who will live forever.

Furthermore, these spirit beings along with Christ will usher in a new future age.

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God . . . Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:19, 21).

This future age will be a glorious time like we have never experienced before. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done!’ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End’” (Revelation 21:4-6; see “I Am the Alpha and Omega”).

When everything has been completed, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also have the title Everlasting Father, will then deliver everything to “God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).

“Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (verse 28).

Study more about God the Father and Jesus Christ in our free booklet Getting to Know the God of the Bible.