What is the significance of God saying, 'Let us make man in our image' in Genesis 1:26?

from the old testament

• In Genesis 1:26 God said, "Let us make man in our image."
• God uses the plural pronouns us and our, but Genesis 1:27 makes clear that God created humanity in His (singular) own image. Some commentators (particularly those not preferring to acknowledge the triune nature of God) have suggested that the plural pronouns refer to God and angels, but that interpretation contradicts the statement in Genesis 1:27 that God Himself did the creating and that creation was created in His own image—singular– which couldn't include the angels unless the angels and God were one in essence and nature (no one would assert that).
• The plural pronouns are important because they help us understand that while God is a singular deity, He is also a plurality. While the concept of the Trinity (that God is one God and three persons) is not expressly taught in Genesis 1:26–27, it is certainly introduced.
• All of humanity, male and female, was created in the image of God to reflect and resemble Him. Humanity reflects and resembles God in many ways including personality, intellect, emotion, and will. Humanity also uniquely resembles God, unlike the animals who were not created in God’s image, in our capacity for creativity, stewardship, rationality, and volition (Genesis 2:15; Isaiah 1:18). Additionally, our ability and desire to have meaningful relationships and community mirrors God's triune nature (Genesis 2:18).
• “Let us make man in our image” also has implications for our purpose as well. As image-bearers, we reflect God to the world. We represent God by reflecting His character and attributes—like love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness—to the world and bearing His image and name in all we do. When our actions contradict His nature, we misrepresent Him, affecting how others perceive God, as seen in the warnings against profaning His name and the call to be His witnesses (Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 43:10; Ezekiel 36:20–23).
• Being created in the image of God is the basis of the sanctity of human life. After the flood, in Genesis 9:5–6 God tells Noah that any man or beast who shed human blood would be guilty before God because He made man in His image.

from the new testament

• Similar to how humanity is created in the image of God, Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). While no man has seen God the Father, Jesus—God the Son—has explained or revealed Him (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1–3).
• God values all of His creation, but He values humanity differently (see for example, Matthew 6:26). This foundational truth helps us understand why murder is so unacceptable to God. The murder of a person is not just an offense to the persons murdered and those who love them, it is an offense to God. Not only are humans created in God’s image, and thus degrading the value of their lives is an affront God, His love for humanity is vast. He demonstrated that love most obviously by His giving His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for sin so that humans might have life in Him (John 3:16–18). The value of humans, all based on their creation by God, is readily apparent in the Bible.

implications for today

When Adam disobeyed God, the consequences of his sin extended beyond him, affecting all his descendants (Romans 5:12). Though Adam was initially created in the image and likeness of God, his sin introduced a flawed nature into humanity. Thus, Adam's descendants, including us, inherited this fallen nature. Genesis 5:3 highlights this transition: "When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth." This reflects the shift from being created directly in God's image to being born into a corrupted human likeness. Consequently, Ephesians 2:1–3 explains that we, too, were born into this condition, dead in our trespasses and sins, following the ways of the world and the prince of the power of the air.

Yet, in His profound grace, God offers redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. When someone believes in Jesus, they are transformed into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new identity reflects God's grace, as described in Ephesians 2:4–9, where we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works. We become God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). This new creation restores our purpose, allowing us to fulfill the original design intended for us—to live out God’s image and reflect His character in the world.

Ultimately, Romans 8:29–30 assures us that those who trust in Jesus will be conformed to His image and glorified, completing the restoration of the original design. This future hope drives our present reality: although we are still imperfect and our reflection of God’s image is marred by sin, we are called to live in the truth of our inherent value as bearers of God's image. This means living out kindness, respect, and love toward others. By doing so, we represent God well and participate in His redemptive work in the world.

We reflect God more fully as we:

Pursue Holiness: Strive to live in alignment with God’s commands and reflect His character in our actions.

Cultivate Love: Show genuine care and compassion toward others, following the example of Christ’s love.

Engage in Service: Use our gifts and resources to serve others, demonstrating God’s grace and mercy in practical ways.

In these ways, we increasingly mirror God’s image and make His presence known in a world that desperately needs to see Him.