We begin with one passage from both Colossians and II Corinthians. Speaking of Christ we read, ‘He is the image of the invisible God…’ (Colossians 1:15), and ‘…who is the image of God…’ (II Corinthians 4:4). However, what truly shows Christ in a greater light as the image of God than humans will ever be is found in Hebrews 1:3. Here the Scriptures say of Christ, “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…” Humans are created in the image of God with a few representative traits setting them well above the rest of creation, and yet well below God. In contrast, Christ is the express image of the person of God. He is of the exact same (divine) nature as God. He is as holy and righteous as God. Any quality ascribed to God, may be credited to Christ in equal measure.

According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, an image involves two ideas - representation and manifestation. A shadow, picture, and inscription on a coin are all examples of a representation. Depending on the situation, these may be faint, blurry or very clear. The most distinctive and clear example of a representation of this type may very well be a reflection in a mirror. Notice in each of these instances that what we see is a resemblance or representative of the original, but we cannot see the actual original. Christ, as the image of God, is the representation of God, but He is also more. Christ is the manifestation of God. “… great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels…” (I Timothy 3:16). No one has seen God at any time, yet Christ was a manifestation of God and declared Him to the extent that to have seen Christ was to have seen the Father (John 14:9; John 1:18). In the relationship of God and Christ, Jesus is the image of God. He is essentially and absolutely the perfect expression and representation of God. Christ is the visible representation and manifestation of God to created beings. He is the exact likeness of the Father in all things.

Christ as the image of God may be extended and connected also to Christ as the Word of God. Just as an eye sees an image, an ear hears a word. When we see an image with our eyes, a visual impression is imprinted on our mind. Similarly, when we hear words with our ears, an auditory image is formed in our minds. In choosing our own words, they are used to represent and manifest our thoughts. In this sense, our words are an image of our thoughts. God also has expressed His thoughts to us through His words (the Bible) and His Word (His Son). Consider the following words from the writings of the apostle John and how they relate both to seeing and hearing as well as the representation and manifestation of the Father. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (I John 1:1-3); “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Jesus is both the Word of God and the Son of God. Just as the Word reflects the mind of God, the Son is the image of His Father. When Adam was 130 years old, a son was born to him - in his own likeness and after his image (Genesis 5:3). This pattern follows today as a child is born after the image of his / her parents. The angel Gabriel appeared unto Mary and spoke to her of the Son who was to be born. “…The Holy Spirit will come upon you … that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Jesus is the one and only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). It is the Son ‘who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ’ (II Corinthians 4:6).

Before He came to this earth, Jesus was in the form of God. Because of His humility, He was willing to take on the form of man and be obedient - even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). The One who is the image of God is now and will always be highly exalted. “Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).