Mary, Divine Characteristics?
Mary is “most blessed among women” (Luke 1:42) because she was the mother of the Messiah. But the Bible clearly teaches that Mary does not have divine characteristics. Let’s examine what the Bible has to say:
1-The word “God” means the fullness of Yahweh. The apostle Paul testified that Jesus was equal to God, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:6–7). Mary is not equal to God for she is only a finite human being.
2-Yahweh has no beginning and no end. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2). God has no mother. He is a Spirit Being. He has no beginning and no end (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:8). Jesus always existed before He was incarnated on earth but Mary had a beginning.
3-God alone is immortal “who alone has immortality” (1 Timothy 6:15-16). All humans are mortal. “Shall mortal man be more just than God” (Job 4:17). The righteous will receive immortality only at the second coming of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
4-Jesus is the Creator of all. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Clearly, Mary is only a created being.
5-Jesus is the Savior of mankind. “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). Mary herself needed salvation. For the Bible teaches that all humans sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Mary herself was over joyed with God saving her soul when she proclaimed, “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47).
The scripture teaches that Mary was a finite, mortal, created, and sinful human being while God is the infinite, immortal, Creator, and Savior of all. There is no Scripture that attributes any divine characteristics that Mary possesses.
Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
