Is there a hierarchy in the Trinity?

Question

It seems that there is some form of hierarchy within the Trinity.

For example, these passages seem to indicate that the Holy Spirit is subservient to the Father and Jesus:

John 14:26 (NIV)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26 (NIV)
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

Also, it seems that the Father has control over Jesus:

Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

My understanding is that the Trinity is three persons in one God. Therefore, each person in the Trinity is equal to the other two. Yet, the verses above seem to indicate that there's a hierarchy.

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Is there a hierarchy (and my previous understanding flawed) or is there a deeper understanding of what's going on in those verses above?

I'm seeking a Mainstream Protestant exegesis and viewpoint on this issue.

Answer 1

It's a role-delineation, not a "hierarchy" (at least, not in the way it is used in common English).

God has distinct persons making up His one self - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

They have distinct roles, as revealed in the Bible (more I'm sure can be added):

• Father
  • Creator (Genesis 1:1, Romans 1:25, etc)
  • Judge (Genesis 15:14, Genesis 18:25, 1 Samuel 2:10, Job 21:22, Psalm 7:8, Luke 18:7, etc)
  • Initiator of Covenants (Genesis 3:15, Genesis 8:21-12, Genesis 9:9-17, Genesis 12:1-3, etc)
  • Elector of the those who will be Saved (Luke 18:7, John 6:65, Romans 8:33, Romans 9:13, etc)
• Son
  • Instrument of Creation (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, etc)
  • Way to the Father (John 10:9, John 14:6, 1 John 5:20, etc)
  • Propitiatory Sacrifice for Salvation of Man (Romans 3:25, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10)
• Holy Spirit
  • Enabler of Creation (Genesis 1:2, Psalm 104:30, etc)
  • Comforter (John 14:16-17, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7, Romans 8:26, etc)
  • "Component" of God who lives in the Elect (John 14:17, Philippians 2:12-13, etc)
  • Revealer of Truth (John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:16, etc)