In Scripture, "image" carries two supreme meanings: (1) Imago Dei — every human being is made in God's image and likeness (Gen. 1:26-27), which constitutes their inviolable dignity, rationality, moral capacity, and calling to represent God as vice-regent over creation. This is not erased by the Fall — it is marred and distorted. (2) Christ as the true Image — Jesus is called "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15) and "the exact imprint of his nature" (Heb. 1:3). He is what humanity was always meant to be. Redemption is the process of being transformed back into the image of God through Christ (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). Idols are false images — counterfeits that degrade rather than elevate the image-bearer.
IM'AGE, n. [L. imago.] 1. A representation or similitude of any person or thing, formed of a material substance; as an image wrought in stone, wood, or wax. 2. A picture or statue; a copy or resemblance. 3. An idol; the representation of any deity or imaginary being, worshiped as a god. 4. A resemblance or likeness. "God created man in his own image." (Gen. 1:27) 5. Show; appearance; a semblance. 6. In rhetoric, a lively description which presents to the mind the same image or picture as the reality would present to the senses.
Modern culture uses "image" almost exclusively for brand management — personal image, corporate image, curated social media presentations. The Instagram era has turned image-bearing into performance. More theologically serious is the rejection of Imago Dei as a foundation for human dignity — secular humanism replaces it with evolutionary complexity or social utility, resulting in a view of personhood that cannot withstand the pressure of abortion, euthanasia, or eugenics. When "image" becomes a marketing term rather than a theological one, human dignity collapses to whatever society currently values.
Genesis 1:26–27 — "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness'... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Colossians 1:15 — "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."
2 Corinthians 3:18 — "And we all... beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
Romans 8:29 — "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..."
Hebrews 1:3 — "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature..."
H6754 — tselem (צֶלֶם): image, representation — used in Gen. 1:26-27; also for idols and physical representations
H1823 — demût (דְּמוּת): likeness, resemblance — paired with tselem in Gen. 1:26 to express full correspondence
G1504 — eikōn (εἰκών): image, portrait, likeness — used for Christ (Col. 1:15), believers (Rom. 8:29), and Caesar's image on coins
"When you look at any human being — the broken, the despised, the criminal — you are looking at the image of God. That is the foundation of all justice."
"Jesus is not merely a good man who reflected divine qualities — He is the Image of the invisible God, the full and final revelation of who the Father is."
"Sanctification is not becoming something new — it is recovering and restoring what we were always meant to be: fully human, fully bearing God's image."