Primarily signifying God's paternal relationship to Jesus Christ, the term also refers to God's fatherly relationship to his creation, especially to believers as the “children of God”.
Aspects of the fatherhood of God
He is the Creator and provider
1 Corinthians 8:6 See also Deuteronomy 32:6, Deuteronomy 32:18; Isaiah 64:8; Acts 17:24–28
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
He shows love and compassion
Hosea 11:1 See also Psalm 103:13; Jeremiah 3:19; 2 Corinthians 1:3
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
He exercises his providence and care
Psalm 68:5 See also Matthew 6:26, Matthew 6:31–33 parallel Luke 12:29–31; Matthew 7:11 parallel Luke 11:13
A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.
He disciplines and corrects
Deuteronomy 8:5 See also Proverbs 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:5–6
So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
God as the Father of Jesus Christ
Matthew 3:17 parallels Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22 See also Matthew 11:27; Luke 2:49; John 5:17–18, John 17:11, John 20:17; Romans 15:6; Ephesians 1:31 Peter 1:3 See also 1 John 1:3
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
God is the father of Israel
He cares for his covenant people
Jeremiah 31:9 See also Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 14:1, Deuteronomy 32:6, Deuteronomy 32:18; Isaiah 63:16; Malachi 2:10
They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
He is the father of the kings of Israel
2 Samuel 7:13–14 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:12–13 This description of God's fatherhood involves the maintenance of a special relationship between God and David's descendants, which ultimately includes Jesus Christ. See also Psalm 2:7, Psalm 89:26–27
He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
God is the father of Christian believers
He has an intimate relationship with believers
Matthew 6:9 parallel Luke 11:2 See also John 20:17; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 2:13
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
He adopts believers into his family
John 1:12–13 See also Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 4:5–7; 1 John 3:1
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God — children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
The fatherhood of God has implications for the church
Character: children are to reproduce the Father's likeness
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[’’]
Unity: one Father means one family
Ephesians 4:3–6 See also Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Ephesians 3:14–15
and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Status: believers are related to Jesus Christ
Matthew 12:50 parallels Mark 3:35, Luke 8:21 See also Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11
For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Inheritance: believers are heirs of the Father's kingdom
Romans 8:17 See also Luke 12:32; Galatians 3:29; Colossians 1:12; Titus 3:7
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Submission: believers are to revere the Father
1 Peter 1:17 See also Matthew 6:9 parallel Luke 11:2; Ephesians 3:14
Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.