The Son

The Son is the second Person of the Trinity. He is the Word of God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, of the same nature as he: true God born of true God. The Father communicates to him all that he is, except being Father, so that the Son possesses the fullness of the divine life: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

The Word by whom all things were made

The Father creates all things through the Son, his Word. The Son is the perfect image of the Father and the one in whom the world receives existence: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; in him all things were created.” Colossians 1:15-16

The Son made man

To save men, the Son took our nature: he became man while remaining God. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, he is one and the same Son, true God and true man: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.” John 1:14

In becoming man, the Son lowered himself to the condition of a servant, out of love and for our salvation: “Though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” Philippians 2:6-7

Died and risen for us

The Son made man gave his life on the Cross to reconcile men with God, bearing the weight of sin in their place. On the third day, he rose, victor over death, and his resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, he was buried, and he rose on the third day.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Lord and judge

Risen, the Son is raised in glory and is seated at the right hand of the Father, receiving the name that surpasses every name: “God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9

He will return in glory at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, and his reign will have no end. All creation is called to acknowledge him as Lord: “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth.” Philippians 2:10