The phrases that comprise the title of this essay are commonly found in the
New Testament. The most predominant phrase is "in Christ." It is found most
frequently in the writings of Paul, but each of the phrases is important, and they
always have profound theological implications. Let us briefly examine them in the
light of New Testament teaching in order to discover what each entails.
The phrase "in Christ" (en Christo) is found in all the New Testament writings
of Paul except his letter to Titus. "In Christ" or its equivalent phrases ("in him," "in
the Lord," "in the Beloved," "in Jesus," etc.) is used more than 30 times in Paul's
letter to the Ephesians! Paul uses the expression to indicate the unique spiritual
communion that believers experience with their Lord. The Lord's holy people have
access to "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly regions in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)
The phrase does not imply a literal "in" relationship as if we are personally and bodily
in the physical body of the Lord Jesus. It conveys the idea of fellowship or sharing;
close or intimate union. It implies that those who are "in" him share in all the benefits
that result from this relationship. According to the New Testament both individuals
and congregations are "in Christ." (Romans 16:7; Galatians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians
2:14)
The phrase "of Christ" also frequently occurs in the New Testament. It is never
used as a proper name, but it is always used to indicate a relationship. Peter writes
about the "blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:2) He is not giving the blood a name, but he
tells us whose blood it is about which he writes. It is Jesus Christ's blood that is
sprinkled. Peter also writes about "the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7) He
is not giving the revelation a name, but he tells us whose revelation we look
forward to on the last day. John writes about the teaching/doctrine of Christ."
(2 John 9) He is not telling us the name of the doctrine, but he tells us whose doctrine
it is. A person is to remain in Christ's teaching. Paul writes about "congregations of
Christ." (Romans 16:16) Traditionally, preachers, elders, editors of religious journals,
and others have believed and taught that Paul is recording the name of the Lord's
spiritual body. Such is not the case. As the previous examples illustrate, Paul is not
giving the congregations a name; but he is telling the readers whose congregations they
are. He is indicating the relationship they sustain to Christ; they are "of Christ." The
congregations that send greetings through Paul, to the brothers and sisters in Rome
belong to Christ. So, the New Testament speaks of the blood of Christ, the revelation
of Christ, the teaching/doctrine of Christ, and the congregations of Christ, and in neither
instance does "of Christ" indicate the name of the things that belong to him.
The phrase "through Christ" also commonly occurs in the New Testament, and like
the other phrases it is theologically significant. For instance, the scriptures inform us that
God created all things "through" Christ. (John 1:3) The "world was made through him."
(John 1:10; Hebrews 1:2) According to 1 Peter 4:11, "In all things God is to be glorified
through Jesus Christ." Jesus said, "No one can come to the Father except through me."
(John 14:6) "Through Christ" indicates the agent by means of whom something is
accomplished. Jesus was the operative agent of both the physical and spiritual creation.
(Colossians 1:16-20) Paul states, "Yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are
all things...and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him."
(1 Corinthians 8:6)
When the phrases "in Christ," "of Christ," and "through Christ" are interpreted in their
New Testament contexts, we conclude with the following analysis: "in Christ" informs us
of the unique fellowship; "of Christ" tells us about the sublime relationship; and "through
Christ" indicates the means by which the fellowship is attained and the relationship is
sustained. It's all "through Christ!"
R. Daly
Copyright 2013
New Testament. The most predominant phrase is "in Christ." It is found most
frequently in the writings of Paul, but each of the phrases is important, and they
always have profound theological implications. Let us briefly examine them in the
light of New Testament teaching in order to discover what each entails.
The phrase "in Christ" (en Christo) is found in all the New Testament writings
of Paul except his letter to Titus. "In Christ" or its equivalent phrases ("in him," "in
the Lord," "in the Beloved," "in Jesus," etc.) is used more than 30 times in Paul's
letter to the Ephesians! Paul uses the expression to indicate the unique spiritual
communion that believers experience with their Lord. The Lord's holy people have
access to "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly regions in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)
The phrase does not imply a literal "in" relationship as if we are personally and bodily
in the physical body of the Lord Jesus. It conveys the idea of fellowship or sharing;
close or intimate union. It implies that those who are "in" him share in all the benefits
that result from this relationship. According to the New Testament both individuals
and congregations are "in Christ." (Romans 16:7; Galatians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians
2:14)
The phrase "of Christ" also frequently occurs in the New Testament. It is never
used as a proper name, but it is always used to indicate a relationship. Peter writes
about the "blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:2) He is not giving the blood a name, but he
tells us whose blood it is about which he writes. It is Jesus Christ's blood that is
sprinkled. Peter also writes about "the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7) He
is not giving the revelation a name, but he tells us whose revelation we look
forward to on the last day. John writes about the teaching/doctrine of Christ."
(2 John 9) He is not telling us the name of the doctrine, but he tells us whose doctrine
it is. A person is to remain in Christ's teaching. Paul writes about "congregations of
Christ." (Romans 16:16) Traditionally, preachers, elders, editors of religious journals,
and others have believed and taught that Paul is recording the name of the Lord's
spiritual body. Such is not the case. As the previous examples illustrate, Paul is not
giving the congregations a name; but he is telling the readers whose congregations they
are. He is indicating the relationship they sustain to Christ; they are "of Christ." The
congregations that send greetings through Paul, to the brothers and sisters in Rome
belong to Christ. So, the New Testament speaks of the blood of Christ, the revelation
of Christ, the teaching/doctrine of Christ, and the congregations of Christ, and in neither
instance does "of Christ" indicate the name of the things that belong to him.
The phrase "through Christ" also commonly occurs in the New Testament, and like
the other phrases it is theologically significant. For instance, the scriptures inform us that
God created all things "through" Christ. (John 1:3) The "world was made through him."
(John 1:10; Hebrews 1:2) According to 1 Peter 4:11, "In all things God is to be glorified
through Jesus Christ." Jesus said, "No one can come to the Father except through me."
(John 14:6) "Through Christ" indicates the agent by means of whom something is
accomplished. Jesus was the operative agent of both the physical and spiritual creation.
(Colossians 1:16-20) Paul states, "Yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are
all things...and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him."
(1 Corinthians 8:6)
When the phrases "in Christ," "of Christ," and "through Christ" are interpreted in their
New Testament contexts, we conclude with the following analysis: "in Christ" informs us
of the unique fellowship; "of Christ" tells us about the sublime relationship; and "through
Christ" indicates the means by which the fellowship is attained and the relationship is
sustained. It's all "through Christ!"
R. Daly
Copyright 2013
