How can Jesus and the Bible be both “Word of God”?

In this case we are using the term “Word of God” in two different ways.

Let’s start by showing how we use this term when we talk about Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is identified as the pre-existent “Word of God,” who “was with God” and who “was God.” Even from before the beginning, this “Word of God” was with God, and in the fullness of time “became flesh” (i.e. became man) and dwelt among us as a man: Jesus Christ. The term “Word” here actually has a rich backstory, because the original Greek term is Logos. In the Greek language (the original language of the New Testament), this term Logos could be translated as “word,” but it also meant “reason,” “logic,” and “order.” When the Greeks spoke about the logos of the world, they were talking about that ordering principle that made the world exist and function properly. When St. John wrote his Gospel, he used this term as an analogy to speak about Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. Jesus is the Logos because he is the one who sets the world in order. As we hear elsewhere in Scripture, “all things were created through him [Christ] and for him.” The analogy of the Logos also fits for Jesus because he is the one who reveals the Father. Just like a word reveals the mind and heart of the person who speaks it, so also Jesus is the “Word” who fully expresses the mind and heart of the Father. Jesus is the full, perfect expression of the Father. Now by his nature, Jesus is God, the same as the Father is. However, when we speak about who (not what) he is as the Son, we can use this term “Word of God” to help us capture that idea that he is the Person of the Trinity who receives everything from the Father and fully reveals to us the inner nature and thoughts of the Father.

When we speak about the Bible as the “Word of God,” we are using the term much more literally. Sacred Scripture is God’s “word” to us. The Bible records the Word of God–both the actual words of God (given directly or through the prophets or other sacred authors), and the words “about” God. The Bible is sacred because it contains the words which will lead us to knowing God personally–and through this, we are saved from sin and death. We can also say that the Bible is sacred because God reveals who he is through the words of Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is perfumed with God’s presence, filled with his holy light behind a paper veil. It is the holy Word of God–but in a different way than how we say Jesus is the Word of God.

Sometimes this use of the same terms can also cause confusion. “Does this mean that the Bible is Jesus in book form?” “Does this mean we worship the Bible?” The answer to both questions is no, but it’s easy to see where the confusion would come in! Like mentioned prior, the Bible is holy because it’s inspired by God, it’s filled with his presence, and it’s our way of getting to know him personally. God reveals himself to us through Scripture. Now think back to what we mentioned about Jesus: he is the one who fully reveals to us the Father. There is a connection between Scripture and Jesus Christ: all of the Bible points to Jesus. The Old Testament points forward to him; the New Testament points backward to him. All of the Bible points to him. Every word of Scripture is like a little brushstroke of a great painting, a portrait of the face of Jesus. Does that mean that the painting is Jesus? Of course not. But it is holy, because God himself painted that portrait (with the help of human hands).