Question
Also, why does scripture say “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus”? What’s the difference?
Response
Today, we do not often place a person’s title, rank, official name, or other designation of dignity, in any other position than immediately preceding his name, (e.g. Queen Elizabeth; President Bush; General Patton, etc.), such designations can be attached to the name in other ways. And though we do not commonly do it in English (even though it certainly can be done) it is often a very common feature in other languages, including both Hebrew and Greek. But since we do not employ this feature very often (at least not today) this makes it so that when we do come across it we might not readily appreciate why it is done.
The most common reason for attaching a person’s title, rank, or other designation of dignity, to his name in an ‘out of the ordinary’ way is to make it stand out; to have attention drawn to it; to have it emphasized for some particular purpose.
Now when it comes to God’s use of “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus” this is pretty much the reason.
The word “Christ” primarily comes from the Davidic Covenant, (i.e. from the doctrine of the mechanical means by which God would put His “Jehovah-ness” into effect). And as such “Christ” is a designation; something like a title. It designates the one who bears it as being the one spoken about in the Davidic Covenant. And, of course, this is who Jesus is, being “the Son of God”; being Adonai Jehovah enfleshed in the line of the seed of David as per the dictates of the Davidic Covenant. Hence the designation “Christ” is first and foremost attached to Jesus’ name to identify Him as being the one of whom the Davidic Covenant speaks.
Wherefore Jesus is called “Jesus the Christ” or “Jesus Christ” with this particular combination of His name and designation being the most fundamental one, and conveying the most fundamental information about Him.
However, when this fundamental and usual combination of name and designation is reversed (or also when the title/designation is used all by itself) this is done in order to lay the emphasis upon the title/ designation “Christ” for some particular reason. Hence it is usually done to bring the issue of Jesus’ “Christ-ness,” so to speak, to the forefront in our minds, so that we do not just think about the word “Christ” as a designator that identifies the person of Jesus for who He is; but in order that we think about the things that are involved in ‘the doctrine of Christ’ so that we think about Jesus for what He did, or does, as He accomplishes the things that need to be done as “the Christ”.
So, very simply stated, “Jesus Christ” is most commonly used when there is no reason in the context for specifically drawing our attention to anything more than the issue of Jesus in His person being “the Christ”. On the other hand, “Christ Jesus” is most commonly used when there is reason in the context for specifically drawing our attention to Jesus’ “Christ-ness” so that the focus of our attention and thinking is upon the issue of His accomplishments as “the Christ”.
This is the gist of my understanding on this matter. As always, I hope it is of some help.
Keith Blades
Enjoy The Bible Ministries
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