What is perichoresis?

Answer

The term “perichoresis” originates from two Greek words: “peri,” meaning “around,” and “chorein,” meaning “to give way” or “to make room.” It can be interpreted as “rotation” or “a going around.” Although not present in the Greek New Testament, perichoresis is a theological term used in three distinct contexts. Firstly, it denotes the perfect union of the two natures of Christ within the same Person. Secondly, it describes the omnipresence of God as He “intersects” with all creation (see Acts 17:28). Lastly, it signifies the mutual intersecting or “interpenetration” of the three Persons of the Godhead, aiding in understanding the concept of the Trinity. This term conveys intimacy and reciprocity among the Persons of the Godhead. A synonymous term for perichoresis is “circumincession.”

Perichoresis is evident in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:1, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” This is contrasted with John 16:14, where Jesus states that the Holy Spirit “will glorify me.” Thus, the Holy Spirit glorifies the Son, the Son glorifies the Father, and the Father glorifies the Son. The loving relationships within the Trinity lead to the Persons of the Godhead glorifying one another.

Perichoresis represents the fellowship of three co-equal Persons perfectly united in love and harmony, expressing an intimacy beyond human comprehension. The Father sends the Son, as stated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and was sent by the Son, as mentioned in the Bible verse, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

, (John 15:26)—another illustration of perichoresis, demonstrating how God’s people receive blessings.

There is no division among the Persons of the Trinity or disruption in the enigmatic exchange of perichoresis. It can be visualized as a Venn diagram depicting three circles intersecting at the center, each circle perfectly and multidimensionally intersecting with the others as they revolve around a shared center of divine love.