Abba, Father

2023-01-17

“Abba” means “Father” and is always paired with the word “Father.” It is used three times in the New Testament. It is a very personal name signifying a father-son relationship.

The Lord Jesus says to the Father while in Gethsemane: “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). The Lord Jesus appealed to His Father that there might be a way to circumvent the wrath He shall face. He ultimately resigns to Him, that there is no other way to redeem humankind.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Here, we see that we are the children of God, and we call Him our Father, just like Jesus did. We no longer fear Him as an enemy but embrace Him as our Father.

This is repeated later: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). Here, the Spirit cries from within that God is our Father.

We are His children now, being born again with the indwelling Spirit. We will receive the adoption, i.e., the resurrection (Romans 8:23), and then we will realize our sonship in full.

God the Father is our Abba, Father.