Genesis 1:26: Who Was God Talking To At Creation?

As Oneness Apostolics we get a lot of questions from those who hold to the trinity about our beliefs. In most cases their questions are posed to discredit our views or give credit to theirs. One question that comes up frequently is who was God talking to during creation in Genesis 1:26? If there is only one God why did God say “let us make man in our image”? Trinitarians believe this passage clearly demonstrates that God is three separate persons. But is that really the case? As Apostolic’s it’s important we know how to properly answer this question. Not to fight or argue but to help those who oppose see the truth. 

Genesis 1:26 (ESV)

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)

25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

Those who often bring up Genesis 1:26 hope we will won’t be able to provide a good answer. Their goal is to alter our beliefs and cause us to align with them. But while this question of who was God talking to may seem impossible to answer. As Apostolic’s we can in fact give solid biblical answers as to why God may have used a plural form. Ultimately pointing out the holes that exist in their own argument. 

Honestly, I see why many who hold to the trinity go here before anything else as it is a very difficult question to answer. In fact, it really is hard to give a definitive explanation. But that doesn’t mean there are no factual explanations for God using the plural pronoun “us” when creating man. In fact, it is much easier to explain God using a plural form in this one verse than it is for those who hold to the trinity to explain all the passages of scripture that use singular forms when talking about God. 

Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Psalm 86:10 (ESV)

10  For you are great and do wondrous things; 

you alone are God. 

Isaiah 44:6 (ESV)

6  Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel 

and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 

  “I am the first and I am the last; 

besides me there is no god. 

Matthew 1:22–23 (ESV)

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 

 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 

and they shall call his name Immanuel” 

(which means, God with us).

Those are only a small selection of verses that clearly define God as one. If you would like to see even more verses that point to the oneness of God, view our other article that lists many more here. When looking at this issue we must ask ourselves does one verse in Genesis discount every other verse that sets the foundation for oneness? Of course not, we can clearly see that God wanted to make it very clear to His people that He alone is God. That there is no other beside Him and no one like Him. God wanted it to be known that there is only one God. 

It must also be pointed out that the very next verse following Genesis 1:26 scripture uses singular pronouns. A fact that is often avoided by those who hope to use verse 26 to prove the trinity. In verse 27 we read “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 ESV).”  So we must reconcile the two verses. If we look at ourselves as the creation being spoken about we were not created as three separate persons. Instead what you see is that we are a single person who will have many different titles in life. Just as God who created us has many different titles but is still one God. 

But all these being true then who was God talking to if it wasn’t a meeting between three separate persons?  Well the Jews being monotheistic, believing in only one God, have traditionally interpreted Genesis 1:26 to mean that God talked to the angles at creation. Not that they had a part in creating man but that God informed them of His plans. We see God share His plans with the Angels as well in other areas of scripture such as 1 Kings 22:19. So it doesn’t seem odd that God would do so in creation. We also know from the book of Job that the Angels were present at creation. Giving even more credibility to this possibility. 

1 Kings 22:19 (ESV)

19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left;

Job 38:4–7 (ESV)

4  “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? 

Tell me, if you have understanding. 

 5  Who determined its measurements—surely you know! 

Or who stretched the line upon it? 

 6  On what were its bases sunk, 

or who laid its cornerstone, 

 7  when the morning stars sang together 

and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 

Another view is that God counseled His own will. Which admittedly sounds a little odd on the surface. But this view is in fact supported by scripture. In Ephesians 1:11 we read that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will”. It’s like someone saying “Let’s see” evening though they are alone. It could be that God was simply using a form of speech like His creation later would when talking to themselves as a single person. Most people do this all the time and we would never believe that because they do so they are more than a single entity. So why should we view God any differently? 

Some others explain Genesis 1:26 as majestic or literary plural. Referring to the practice in formal writing of the writer referring to himself in the plural. Especially if the person is royal. This is a practice that can be seen in several other areas of scripture. For instance, Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, “we will tell the interpretation before the king,” even though Daniel proceeded to give the interpretation alone. King Artaxerxes alternates between using singular and plural pronouns in his writing. In a letter to Ezra, he referred to himself as “I” in one place (Ezra 7:13) and “we” in another (Ezra 7:24). So it is not odd that God would do this very same thing as the King of kings. 

Daniel 2:36 (ESV)

36 “This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation.

Ezra 7:13 (ESV)

13 I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

Ezra 7:24 (ESV)

24 We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God. 

1 Timothy 6:15 (ESV)

15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

It’s hard to provide a definitive answer when we are asked who God was talking to at creation because scripture doesn’t give us one. But as you can see there are multiple reasons why God may have done this. I don’t believe this verse can strongly disprove oneness or prove the trinity. Because of all the other scriptures that clearly proclaim that God is in fact one. Trinitarians often want to use this verse but avoid the very next verse that is singular. Ultimately destroying their own argument. What we can be sure of is that Genesis 1:26 does not mean a plurality of the Godhead because that would contradict the rest of scripture. 

The Bible speaks of the mysteries of God and I believe why God used “Us” in Genesis 1:26 is just that. A mystery. Possibly one of the explanations above is correct but then again maybe they are all wrong. Maybe God had another reason for using the phrasing. We won’t truly know until we make it to Heaven and ask God directly. But then will it really even matter at that point? As an Apostolic, I wouldn’t allow this to sway my belief that God is one but if I was a trinitarian I would be nervous about the holes in that argument. 

Isaiah 55:8–9 (ESV)

8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 

 9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Romans 11:33 (ESV)

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 

If you would like to go deeper on the subject of oneness, I would like to recommend a great book to you. It is entitled “The Oneness of God” by Dr. David K. Bernard. He answers many of the common objections to oneness, including this one, directly from the word of God.  I would be lying if I didn’t say that his writing has helped guide me in God’s word and also helped immensely in writing this article. 

Whether you agree with me or not I recommend you do two things. Study the scriptures and pray. Ask God to show you His true nature and reveal to you through His word which position is correct. Because it doesn’t matter what I say or anyone else for that matter. All that matters is what God has already said through His inspired word. Allow other sources to guide you in God’s word but allow your beliefs to only fully be pulled from the scripture. In deep study and prayer, I know what has been revealed to me. I am sure that you will quickly see that same.

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