Deity of Christ
Others are called "gods" and "sons of God" too.
Short answer
True: human judges are called "gods" in Psalm 82, and believers are "children of God." But the Bible never gives anyone else what it gives Jesus: creating all things, existing before creation, being worshiped by angels, sharing God's glory and name. In John 10, Jesus uses Psalm 82 to argue from the lesser to the greater, not to lower himself.
In simple words: People who follow God are called his children. But Jesus is different: he made everything, and even angels worship him.
Response
In John 10:30 Jesus says, "I and the Father are one." His listeners pick up stones, "because you, a mere man, claim to be God." Jesus answers by quoting Psalm 82:6, where God calls human judges "gods." If Scripture can call them that, he says, why accuse of blasphemy "the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world" for saying "I am God's Son"? (John 10:34-36).
This is an argument from lesser to greater. Psalm 82 is a rebuke: those judges "will die like mere mortals" (Psalm 82:7). Jesus is the one set apart and sent from heaven. Then he restates his claim: "the Father is in me, and I in the Father" (John 10:38). They tried to seize him again (verse 39). They clearly did not hear him backing down.
Believers are "children of God" by adoption (Galatians 4:4-7). Angels are sometimes called "sons of God" (Job 1:6). But Hebrews 1:5-6 asks, "To which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son'?" and commands, "Let all God's angels worship him."
No prophet, judge, angel, or believer is ever called the creator of all things, said to share God's glory before the world began, or worshiped by the angels. Jesus is.
Key evidence
- Psalm 82 rebukes unjust judges, who "will die like mere mortals."
- In John 10, Jesus argues from the lesser (judges) to the greater (the one sent from heaven), then repeats his claim.
- Believers are children of God by adoption (Galatians 4:4-7; Romans 8:15).
- Hebrews 1:5-6 contrasts the Son with angels, who are commanded to worship him.
Bible passages
- Psalm 82:1-7 "You are 'gods'… you will die like mere mortals."
- John 10:30-39 Jesus' argument and their response.
- Hebrews 1:5-6 "Let all God's angels worship him."
- Galatians 4:4-7 Adopted as children through the Son.
Discussion questions
- What is the point of Psalm 82 in its original setting?
- How did Jesus' listeners react after his answer in John 10? What does that tell us?
- What is the difference between being a child of God by adoption and being the Son by nature?