By Ronald R. Day, Sr. -- Much needs to added to this study, but I have decided to present what I have already completed.
On another site, we find a quote 1 John 5:7 from the King James Version and states: "Obviously, this verse speaks of three Persons all being God, all three being one. Notice, the Godhead is not three Gods; but three Persons in one Godhead." Really? Actually and obviously, there is nothing at all in 1 John 5:7 about God consisting of three persons. The idea has to be added to, and read into, what is stated in 1 John 5:7 of the King James Version. The Greek Textus Receptus of this verse does not use the masculine form of the Greek word for one, often transliterated as "heis", as Paul used in the expression "one God" in 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; and 1 Timothy 2:5. The form found in the Greek Textus Receptus is "hen", which the neuter form of "one". However, the word for "God" in Koine Greek is masculine, and thus the Greek grammar would demand the masculine form of "one", if "one God" is what is meant by "one" in Textus Receptus of 1 John 5:7. For more related to 1 John 5:7 and John 10:30, see our studies: The Oneness of Jesus and His God; 1 John 5:7 - Does This Speak of Three as One God?; and 1 John 5:7 - The Usage of "Hen" and Trinity.
What does the word "Godhead" itself mean, and where did it come from? The English word "Godhead" is, of course, not actually found in the original languages of the Bible. Thus, the English meanings given to this word may or may not correspond with the Biblical usage of any Hebrew or Greek word.
According to Webster, "godhead", with a small "g", means, 'divine nature or essence." This meaning does not, of itself, designate three persons of whom are one Supreme Being. It could be used to designate one or more persons as having the divine nature or divine essence. Of itself, it would not designate the nature or essence of each as being equal.
The second meaning Webster gives is Godhead (capitalized), which is defined as "a: GOD sense 1; b: the nature of God especially as existing in three persons —used with the." In English, "God" (capitalized) usually -- but not always -- signifies "Supreme Being." If the English word "GOD" is limited to this meaning, then this usage of Godhead would signify (in English) the Supreme Being. The second meaning, however, would give the meaning of "the Godhead" the actual trinitarian meaning of one God who is three persons. Definition "a" would fit the usage made by oneness believers, who speak of the "oneness of the Godhead," but definition "b" would not fit their usage.
Thus, it would seem that its meaning in English is determined mostly by context, who is using the word, and how it is being applied.
Etymologically, Webster states of "godhead": "Middle English godhed, from god + -hed -hood; akin to Middle English -hod -hood." Thus, etymologically, it would mean, "godhood."
The word "Godhead" is found three times in the King James Version of the Bible: Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; and Colossians 2:9.
Acts 17:29
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. -- King James Version.
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. -- World English Bible version.
You may wish to see the online Greek Analysis of Acts 17:29.
When Paul spoke these words, was he speaking of three persons all of whom are God?
The Greek form from which Godhead in the King James Version is rendered is the word often transliterated as Theion (Strong's Greek #2304). This is an adjective neuter form of the Greek word often transliterated as THEOS, meaning GOD. Strong's #2304 is given several different meanings by scholars (most of whom are trinitarian). Thayer notes that the Greeks used this word "to denote the divine nature, power, providence, in the general, without reference to any individual deity." However, Wayne Jackson states: "In Acts 17:29 the Greek term is theion, signifying 'divinity' or 'the Deity; (with the definite article) – a perfect way to express the concept of the true God as opposed to the conflicting gods of Greek paganism." We can agree that, in context, Paul was using this word to describe the true Divine being as opposed to the gods of the Greeks. However, such a thought is not inherent in the word Theion itself. Being an adjective form of THEOS (Strong's G2306), it would, as used in the New Testament, correspond to forms of the Hebrew words EL (Strong's H410, H430, etc), which have the basic meaning of might, power, strength. These Hebrew forms in the Bible are usually used of Jehovah as meaning the Supreme Might, but they are also used of other persons or in other ways than meaning the Supreme Mighty One. See out study The Hebraic Usage of the Titles for "God" Thus, as an adjective, its basic meaning would refer to might, power, strength. For the more traditional definitions of Strong's 2304, see Bible Hub's Greek 2304.
In Acts 17:29, however, it is obviously referring to the quality of being the Supreme Mighty One (the Supreme Being). In context, who was Paul referring to? Was he referring to more than one person, or only one person as being God?
Acts 17:30
The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,
Acts 17:31
because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” -- World English Bible version.
Obviously, Paul was speaking of only one person as "God" who has the quality of being the Omnipotent Supreme Being, since in verses 30 and 31, "God" is presented as being one person and Jesus is presented as being "the man [person] he [God] ordained." Thus, the most logical conclusion is that Jesus is not included in THEION of Acts 17:29, but rather it is referring only to the God and Father of Jesus. -- Ephesians 1:3. -- See also our study: "The Man That God Ordained."
We should note forms of Strong's G2304 are also found in 2 Peter 1:3,4; in both instances the King James Version rendered Strong's G2304 as "divine."
Romans 1:20
In Romans 1:20, we find the word "Godhead" is rendered from a form often transliterated as theiótēs (Strong's #2305), an abstract form of the word THEOS. This form of THEOS appears only this one time in the Bible. Applying the Hebraic usage to this term would make it mean "divinity/mightiness." There is no reason, however, to think that this is not referring to the exclusive mightiness/divinity of the same one person who is "God" in Romans 1:2,3,8,9, who is distinguished from being Jesus in these verses.
Bible Hub Greek Analysis of Romans 1:20
Bible Hub Information About Strong's Greek # 2305
Colossians 2:9
In Colossians 2:9, we find the word "Godhead" is rendered from a form often transliterated as theótēs, another abstract form of THEOS. This form is only used this one time in the Bible, and carries the meaning of divinity, mightiness. In Colossians 2:9, it is obvious that it is being used of only one person, and that is the Son of the Most High. Paul is saying that in Jesus' present spiritual body exists the abundance/plenitude of mightiness/power that Jesus needs to be "head of all principality and power." -- Colossians 2:10.
See our Links to Studies Related to Colossians 2:9
See also our Links to Studies Related to Godhead
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