BSN: JESUS CHRIST OR CHRIST JESUS?

  • Does the order matter? No.
    • “Jesus Christ” (133x) is used interchangeably with “Christ Jesus” (87x) in the same way that “Augustus Caesar” is used interchangeably with “Caesar Augustus.”
    • “Jesus” and “Augustus” are personal names; “Christ” and “Caesar” are titles.
  • The form “Christ Jesus” is only used by Luke (1x in Acts) and Paul (86x), who uses it at least once in 12 of his 14 letters (2 Thessalonians and Hebrews being the exceptions). Since some of Paul’s letters name co-authors, it’s possible to say that those co-authors are using this term as well.
  • The fact that there is no explanation given in the New Testament for the use of these two different ways of saying the Lord’s name is indication that no explanation was needed. In those days people clearly understood the difference between a personal name and a title, and they all knew that Jesus was His name and Christ (Messiah, Anointed) was His title.

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