Trinity - is it right to refer to God as "They"?

[JurisPrudens]

We believe that God in His ineffable nature is One. At the same time, we believe that He exists in three Persons. They are not identical to Each Other: Father is not the Son, Son is not the Holy Spirit. But One God is both the Father, the Son and the Spirit, and every single person is God Himself.

I noticed some prayers and translations referring to the Trinity as “They”. But is it correct to do so, as “They” implies the multiplicity of entities, while the entity is One?

 

[prodromos]

We believe that God in His ineffable nature is One. At the same time, we believe that He exists in three Persons. They are not identical to Each Other: Father is not the Son, Son is not the Holy Spirit. But One God is both the Father, the Son and the Spirit, and every single person is God Himself.

I noticed some prayers and translations referring to the Trinity as “They”. But is it correct to do so, as “They” implies the multiplicity of entities, while the entity is One?

I think it is best to always refer to God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No shorthand.

 

[lmelahn]

We believe that God in His ineffable nature is One. At the same time, we believe that He exists in three Persons. They are not identical to Each Other: Father is not the Son, Son is not the Holy Spirit. But One God is both the Father, the Son and the Spirit, and every single person is God Himself.

I noticed some prayers and translations referring to the Trinity as “They”. But is it correct to do so, as “They” implies the multiplicity of entities, while the entity is One?

It is OK to refer to “Them,” if you are referring specifically to the Persons. The Persons are distinct precisely inasmuch as they are in relation with the other Persons (in fact, each Person is a relation: the Father is His Fatherhood; the Son is His Sonship; the Spirit is His Procession).

If you are referring to God in any other capacity whatsoever, then you should use “He,” because He is supremely One in all respects except mutual relations of Persons.

 

[Hatikvah]

It is OK to refer to “Them,” if you are referring specifically to the Persons. The Persons are distinct precisely inasmuch as they are in relation with the other Persons (in fact, each Person is a relation: the Father is His Fatherhood; the Son is His Sonship; the Spirit is His Procession).

If you are referring to God in any other capacity whatsoever, then you should use “He,” because He is supremely One in all respects except mutual relations of Persons.

Yeah, God is typically referred to as “He” when we speak of God in general. If it is a reference to the Trinity, it would be odd to say “the Trinity, He” but it would make more sense to refer to the Trinity as a collective because it is more than one Person.

Also, this does not really vary throughout Trinitarian Christendom: Oriental Orthodox, Nestorians, Protestants, Catholics, whatever it may be, they all believe in the same Trinity so it works out.

 

[jmcrae]

Yeah, God is typically referred to as “He” when we speak of God in general. If it is a reference to the Trinity, it would be odd to say “the Trinity, He” but it would make more sense to refer to the Trinity as a collective because it is more than one Person.

Also, this does not really vary throughout Trinitarian Christendom: Oriental Orthodox, Nestorians, Protestants, Catholics, whatever it may be, they all believe in the same Trinity so it works out.

Yet we say, “Most Holy Trinity, I adore thee” - which is emphatically singular. So even when speaking of the Trinity we still use singular pronouns.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I don’t think it’s right to refer to the Trinity as “They” since it’s only one God. I’ve never seen the use of “They” before. Whenever I see the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost referred to collectively, singular pronouns such as “Thou” and “He” are used. In the Sign of the Cross, we say “Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost” instead of “names”. In the Benedicite, it says “Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost: let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever. Blessed art Thou, O Lord,…”.

 

[L_Marshall]

No, because between the Three Persons, there is only one God.

If you were speaking in such a way as to say “The Son and the Holy Spirit, they are most represented in art,” this would be correct, because you’re speaking of the persons. However, there still is only one God.

Let me add two things to help explain, since they do far better than I could. Attached are the Athanasian Creed and an image sometimes called “the shield of the Trinity.” Hope they help.

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.

 

[lmelahn]

Yet we say, “Most Holy Trinity, I adore thee” - which is emphatically singular. So even when speaking of the Trinity we still use singular pronouns.

However, the Trinity, as such, is not one of the Persons, so this is correct. (I.e., being Triune is an attribute of God’s Essence.)

 

[NeedImprovement]

Genesis 1:26 [NAB] (highlights mine) :

Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

 

[JimG]

I think it is best to always refer to God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No shorthand.

I agree. We believe that God is One.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons but not distinct entities.
There is only one divine nature.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

I noticed some prayers and translations referring to the Trinity as “They”. But is it correct to do so, as “They” implies the multiplicity of entities, while the entity is One?

The way we use the word “they” presently differs from earlier usages of it. How we use the word is largely a matter of convention. Provided that everyone know the referant of the word “They” I don’t think it matters.