Incarnation refers to the Second Person of the Godhead assuming a human nature. The term incarnation comes from the Latin version of 1 Timothy 3:16 — revealed in the flesh — in carne. As a result of the exclusive use of the Latin Vulgate throughout the Middle Ages, the term incarnation has become a standardized theological term.
Unlike a theophany, which is temporary, the incarnation is fixed and permanent. Christ dwells as the God-man for all eternity. The incarnation should not be confused with the hypostatic union. The incarnation affirms the humanity of Christ. It was the Son of God who became incarnate, not His divine nature.
Christ’s human nature consisted of a body, soul, and spirit. Christ's human body went through routine mental, physical, spiritual, and social development. His body was no different from any other human’s body, except for those things related to sin. When Christ fasted in the wilderness, His body experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2). During His travels, with the disciples, Christ became tired and thirsty (John 4:6-7). Christ’s body also experienced pain and suffering, before heading to the cross (John 19:1, 18).
The incarnate Christ had both a soul (psuchḗ) and a spirit (pneúma), which form the immaterial part of a person and are the center of their psychological faculties. Christ’s wide range of human emotions demonstrates that He had a soul and a spirit. He wept when comprehending the sorrow of loss (John 11:34–35). As well, Christ felt compassion and grief for people (Matthew 9:36; 23:37; Luke 19:41).
Unlike a theophany, which is temporary, the incarnation is fixed and permanent. Christ dwells as the God-man for all eternity. The incarnation should not be confused with the hypostatic union. The incarnation affirms the humanity of Christ. It was the Son of God who became incarnate, not His divine nature.
- And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14
Christ’s human nature consisted of a body, soul, and spirit. Christ's human body went through routine mental, physical, spiritual, and social development. His body was no different from any other human’s body, except for those things related to sin. When Christ fasted in the wilderness, His body experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2). During His travels, with the disciples, Christ became tired and thirsty (John 4:6-7). Christ’s body also experienced pain and suffering, before heading to the cross (John 19:1, 18).
The incarnate Christ had both a soul (psuchḗ) and a spirit (pneúma), which form the immaterial part of a person and are the center of their psychological faculties. Christ’s wide range of human emotions demonstrates that He had a soul and a spirit. He wept when comprehending the sorrow of loss (John 11:34–35). As well, Christ felt compassion and grief for people (Matthew 9:36; 23:37; Luke 19:41).
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