The Right Hand Of God

The phrase "right hand of God" is mentioned literally hundreds of times throughout scripture. Many times in the New Testament, the scriptures teach us that Jesus is at the right hand of God.

For example, Peter said that Jesus sits on the right hand of God (Acts 2:34) quoting the Old Testament scriptures (Psalm 110:1).

When being stoned, Stephen looked into heaven and saw Jesus "standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55). Stephen however could not have seen two physical manifestations of God because of the following points:

1. No man has seen God at any time; nor can a human see Him (John 1:18; I Timothy 6:16; I John 4:12)

2. God is a Spirit and as such is invisible (I Timothy 1:17).

3. Apart from the body of Jesus, God does not have a physical right hand unless He chooses to manifest Himself in a form resembling Human form.

4. Stephen could not have seen "God" apart from "Jesus," because if he saw two separate persons then why did he ignore one of them and then pray only to Jesus?

5. If Stephen saw separate physical manifestations of "the Father" and "the Son" of the Trinity, then where was the Holy Ghost?

There are other problems and contradictions that arise if we take the words "right hand of God" to be a literal phrase. For example, is Jesus SITTING on the right hand of God (Acts 2:34), STANDING on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56), is He literally upon the right hand of God or beside the right hand of God? The scriptures state all of the mentioned cases. In Revelation chapter 4 and 5 the Lamb returns to the right hand of the ONE who sits on the throne but Revelation chapter 1 clearly states that Jesus is the ONE upon the throne. So, following that logic, is Jesus sitting on His own right hand?

All of these seemingly contradictions and difficulties go away when we realize that "right hand" is a Jewish metaphor for power and authority. In other words "right hand" is a figure of speech to the Jewish people. Notice the following scriptures which illustrate this principle:

Ps 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

The Lord is not at the Psalmist' literal flesh and bone right hand, but instead is referring to the fact that the writer is trusting in the Lord's power and might to protect.

Ps 77:10-11 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Here the writer states that he will remember the years that the Lord worked in his life and uses the term "right hand" to refer to the power of the Lord that worked in his life.

Ps 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Once again the metaphorical phrase of "right hand" refers to the power of God doing things and gaining victory! Also notice the concept of the "arm" also.

Ps 109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

Again the term "right hand" is used in an analogy to denote the power of God to save and help a person.

Isa 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

The right arm and hand once again represent the strength or power of the Lord.

Also interesting to note in our study is Jesus' statement about how He cast out demons:

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

If Jesus means a literal finger, why not use the whole hand and which finger did He mean? Jesus was using a figure of speech to reveal that He only had to use a fraction of the power available to Him to cast out devils.

Even today the right hand or arm still denotes power, strength, and oath.

1. We shake hands with our right hands, to do so with our left denotes disrespect.

2. The armed forces salute with their right hand.

3. When we say the pledge of allegiance to our country we do with our right hand placed over our heart.

4. Before we testify in court, we agree by the raising of our right hand to do everything in our power to tell the truth . . . and so on. . .

We also use phrases such as "he's my right hand man" and "I would give my right arm to..." Where did these figures of speech get their beginning? The Bible! God used these figures of speech first, notice:

Exod 15:6-8 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

Did God only smash the enemies with His right hand and nostrils only? Did God have His left hand tied behind Him? No, these expressions are metaphorical and figures of speech.

Jesus Himself used this figure of speech when He was on trial to prove that He was God by saying that He had all the power of God:

Matt 26:64-66 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

The High Priest obviously knew the symbolic meaning of the right hand because he accused Jesus of blasphemy, ie... saying that He was God.

Peter also used the term like this to describe the power of Jesus:

1 Pet 3:21-22 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Peter goes on to say that because of Jesus' power we can have the power to "arm up" and overcome sin!

Paul also uses the term "right hand" in describing the power that Christ has:

Eph 1:20-22 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

If "God the Father" has a separate hand and arm does He also have a flesh and bone body apart from the body of Jesus Christ? No scriptures teach this, and the only flesh that God has was that born of Mary. "Right hand" is simply a metaphor for the power and awesome ability and authority that God has the supreme being to do things. If we understand it as such, then all contradictions in scripture go away.