What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Genesis 1:26-27 tells us no less than four times that God created us “in his own image.” But what difference does that make for us? How does it impact our relationship with God? And how should it impact our relationships with one another?

At its most basic level, the phrase suggests that we look like God. In 1 Samuel 19:13–16 we read about King Saul’s daughter Michal buying some time for David after he leaves Saul’s house and runs away. Like a teenager who is sneaking out and doesn’t want their parents to notice, Michal makes an “image” out of a pillow of goats’ hair and clothes, and puts it in David’s bed. The same term is used throughout the Bible to refer to idols as “images” of the gods. For example, Paul says, “we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man” (Acts 17:29 esv). Perhaps it would be right in some sense, then, to think of ourselves as having been “formed by the art and imagination” of God to look like himself!

But, of course, “God is spirit…” (John 4:24 esv), so being created in his image cannot merely refer to our physical appearance. Perhaps, then, it refers to the fact that each of us, like God, has a spirit (Romans 8:16). Some have tried to find the meaning of the phrase in uniquely human abilities, such as language processing and comprehension (Genesis 1:3; 2:23). Others have suggested that it refers specifically to our dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26), our relationships with one another (Genesis 1:27), our obedience to God’s will (Ephesians 4:24), or our capacity for holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16) and love (1 John 4:16).

I would suggest that none of these interpretations on their own capture fully what it is to be created in the image of God. But they should give us some sense of the far-reaching implications of this powerful truth. Notice Ezekiel 1:28, where the same Hebrew word found in Genesis 1:26 occurs again: “Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face.” (esv). Paul states clearly that we are “the image and glory of God” (1 Corinthians 11:7 esv). God designed each one of us to radiate his unspeakable glory! 

One of the most significant aspects of our being created in the image of God has to do with the relationship between that image and sin. Sin does not remove God’s image from us completely, because even after sin entered the world, the Bible still states that all human beings are created in God’s “own image” (Genesis 9:6 esv). But sin certainly does damage the image of God within us.

That is why the New Testament often refers to Jesus as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 esv; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:49). He showed the world God’s true character in how he lived, and he did so perfectly, without ever sinning (Hebrews 4:15). This gets to the heart of what it means to be created in the image of God. God created us to be like him—not simply in our appearance or our metaphysical makeup, but in our character, our choices, and our lives as a whole. Thus, we are urged to diligently conform ourselves to the character and will of God in every sense: “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10 esv) and “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 esv).

All of this leads us to some practical considerations about our treatment of one another and of everyone who has been created in the image of God. Two biblical passages specifically appeal to the image of God in this way. James 3:9 exposes the utter hypocrisy of using our tongues to mistreat one another: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (esv). This verse instructs us to speak to one another with just as much reverence and care as when we speak to God himself!

The second passage is Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (esv). Every human life is to be regarded as valuable, and not just in a theoretical sort of way. Our respect for human life must actually show itself in the way that we treat other people. 

This is the first of many Old Testament laws which specifically appeal to God’s character as the basis for our treatment of other people. “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” 

(Leviticus 19:14-18 esv). Paul summarizes the point in this way: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:14–15 esv). However, the most chilling, and most relevant aspect of Genesis 9:6 becomes apparent when we read it alongside 1 John 3:15, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (esv). 

Let’s seriously re-consider our thoughts, our attitudes, and our desires toward everyone who has been created “in God’s own image.” And let’s allow this truth to profoundly influence our speech and our actions toward all people. When we do so, we will begin to reflect God’s image more clearly and more fully, just as he intended from the very beginning (Romans 8:29).

“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15 esv).

Rusty Taylor