Son and Sonship
In Bible terminology a 'son' may be a direct male offspring or any later descendant; applied to believers, it speaks of a family relationship with God into which every person — male or female — must personally enter, through Jesus.
Sons and Descendants in Biblical Language
In Bible terminology, this can be either a direct male offspring or any subsequent descendant. Jesus is called 'the son of David, the son of Abraham', thus encompassing many generations (Mt 1:1); He is likewise called 'the son of man', a title binding Him to humanity as a whole.
In Scripture, to be a son was to carry the name, inheritance and honour of a father: genealogies were reckoned through sons, firstborn sons received the double portion, and a household's future rested on its sons. The language therefore reaches far beyond biology — it is the language of belonging, inheritance and representation.
The Eternal Son Took On Human Form
Jesus is the Son of God in a unique and eternal sense. Though He was in very nature God, He took on human form, making Himself nothing and being made in human likeness (Phil 2:6-8); the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us (Jn 1:14).
The Son of God
Believers are children of God by adoption into the family because of salvation, yet Jesus will forever be on a higher level: He is not a son by adoption but the eternal Son, the radiance of God's glory (Heb 1:3). We are brothers to Him not by levelling Him down to us, but by His grace lifting us up to God (Heb 2:11; Rom 8:29).
Children of God by Adoption
Believers are called 'sons of God', being adopted into the family of God (Deut 14:1; Rom 8:14-15; Gal 3:26). To all who received Him He gave the right to become children of God (Jn 1:12), and the Spirit of sonship enables us to cry 'Abba, Father' (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6-7).
We are invited to become sons of God
Each person (male and female) must enter into that personal relationship with God (through Jesus) on his or her own account, it being impossible to get into heaven through the decision of another. In Christ 'there is neither male nor female' (Gal 3:28): women share every privilege of sonship equally, all believers are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), and those who overcome will be His son in the fullest sense (Rev 21:7).
Jesus Himself widened the family circle beyond bloodline: 'Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother' (Mt 12:50; Mk 3:35) — those who obey Him are His true family.
Reflection and Application:
- Thank God that adoption into His family rests on His grace, not on descent or another person's decision.
- Approach God confidently as Father, asking the Spirit of sonship to deepen your sense of belonging.
- Honour Jesus as the eternal Son — forever on a higher level — even while He calls you brother.
- Treat every follower of Christ, male or female, as an equal brother or sister in God's family.
See also: brother/sister, parents, son of man.