God is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely just, completely holy, and sovereign over all things. The Bible reveals much about God’s character and attributes so that we can know Him better and understand how He relates to us. Here is an overview of some of God’s key attributes.
God Is Eternal
God has no beginning or end. He has always existed and will always exist (Psalm 90:2). This attribute sets God apart from His creation. Everything else came into existence at some point, but God has existed for all eternity. God’s eternality demonstrates that He is self-existent and not dependent on anyone or anything else for life (Exodus 3:14).
God Is All-Powerful
God is omnipotent, meaning He is almighty and has unlimited power. Nothing is too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17). He spoke the universe into existence simply by His word (Genesis 1:3). He is more powerful than any created being or thing in the universe. God’s power is perfect, and His purposes cannot be stopped (Job 42:2).
God Is All-Knowing
God is omniscient, meaning He knows everything – the past, present, and future. God’s knowledge includes all actual and possible events. He knows what each person is thinking and what their heart motives are (1 Kings 8:39). He knows all of the complexities and details of every situation. God’s knowledge is complete and perfect (Psalm 147:5).
God Is Ever-Present
God is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere at all times. God is spirit and is not limited by a physical body (John 4:24). There is no location that you can go where God does not exist (Psalm 139:7-10). God is present in every part of the universe at every moment. His presence upholds and sustains all things (Colossians 1:17).
God Is Unchanging
God is immutable, meaning He does not change. He has the same attributes today that He did yesterday and will tomorrow and forevermore (Malachi 3:6). God’s character and promises do not change based on circumstance or time. He is the constant foundation in an ever-changing world. We can rely on God’s unchanging nature.
God Is Completely Just
God is righteous and just. He always does what is morally right and fair (Psalm 119:137). God’s laws, decrees, and actions are perfect. He treats everyone equitably based on His holy standards. God does not show favoritism or partiality. He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).
God Is Completely Holy
God is perfectly holy, utterly separate from sin. He is morally blameless in all He does (Isaiah 6:3). There is no evil or wickedness in God at all. His ways are higher than our ways. Everything God does is good and praiseworthy. His holiness is the standard for all morality.
God Is Sovereign Over All Things
God is supreme and in absolute control over all things. Nothing happens without God’s permission or against His will (Psalm 115:3). He works all events and circumstances together for His divine purposes. God has authority over nature, nations, rulers, angels, demons, and mankind. His sovereignty demonstrates His might and wisdom.
God Is All-Loving
God is love (1 John 4:8). He perfectly and unconditionally loves all people (John 3:16). Despite humanity’s rebellion and sin, God pursues us and desires relationship with us. His love is patient, kind, protective, hopeful, persevering, and eternal. God demonstrated His profound love by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (Romans 5:8).
God Is All-Wise
God possesses perfect wisdom. He knows the proper goals and the best means for achieving those goals (Romans 11:33). God’s wisdom is evident in creation, history, prophecy, salvation, and everyday life. He makes no mistakes. His ways are unfathomable to our finite human minds, yet He offers wisdom to those who seek Him (James 1:5).
God Is Faithful
God is completely faithful and reliable in keeping His promises and covenant with His people. What God says will come to pass (Numbers 23:19). His faithfulness extends through all generations. God can be trusted fully because He is the source of absolute truth and faithfulness. His plans are established and trustworthy (Isaiah 25:1).
God Is Full of Grace and Mercy
God is gracious and extends undeserved favor to sinful humanity. His grace provides salvation to those who believe in Christ (Ephesians 2:8). God is also rich in mercy. He does not give us the punishment that we deserve for our sins. Through Christ, He forgives our trespasses because of His great compassion (Ephesians 2:4-5).
God Is Our Heavenly Father
For believers in Jesus Christ, God becomes their adopted Father. He loves believers as His own children and makes them heirs of all His treasures (Romans 8:15-17). God disciplines His children for their good, as a loving Father does. He desires intimate relationship with His children and hears their prayers (Matthew 7:11).
God Is Perfect in Goodness
God is the ultimate standard and source of all goodness (Psalm 119:68). His intentions, motivations, and actions are always completely pure. Everything God does comes from His moral perfection. There is no evil, sin, or darkness in God at all. He only desires what is best for His creation. God’s goodness is reflected in those created in His image.
God Is Our Provider and Sustainer
God supplies all of our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He grants daily bread and cares for His children’s basic provisions of food, clothing, and shelter. God also sustains our spiritual lives, granting perseverance, strength, hope, and guidance. He upholds the entire universe by His divine power (Hebrews 1:3).
God Is Our Refuge and Fortress
God is a secure shelter and a strong tower for those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 91:2). He is a protecting, high wall when we are in trouble or danger. God is described as the rock, fortress, strength, shield, salvation, and high tower of His people (2 Samuel 22:2-3). He protects believers spiritually and emotionally as well as physically.
God Is Triune
God eternally exists in three co-equal divine Persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). All three Persons of the Trinity share the same essence and nature. The doctrine of the Trinity truthfully summarizes the clear biblical teaching on the nature of God.
God Is Self-Sufficient
God has life in Himself. He does not need anything or anyone else to exist or be complete (Acts 17:25). God created people and the universe out of the overflow of His love, not out of obligation or necessity. God derives joy from within Himself. He exists fully apart from His creation while also intimately involved in His creation.
God Is Our Peace
God grants true inner peace that surpasses human understanding to those who serve Him (Philippians 4:7). By reconciling us to Himself through Christ, God made peace with us. His peace calms our fears, anxieties, and worries. God reminds believers not to fear, for He is always present with them (Isaiah 41:10).
God Is Patient and Longsuffering
God has patience beyond human understanding. He continues extending mercy and delaying judgment so that more people can come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Despite humanity’s continual rebellion against Him, God withholds the full force of His wrath. He is slow to anger and abounding in longsuffering toward mankind.
God Is Our Inheritance
God Himself is the inheritance of believers. He has no shortage of blessings to give His children. The psalmists rejoice that God Himself is their chosen portion, prize, reward, and inheritance in life (Psalm 16:5-6). As children of God, believers have amazing inheritance rights in Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5).
God Is Our Creator
God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in the universe in six days simply by speaking it into existence (Genesis 1). He created mankind, both male and female, uniquely in His image. God’s creation reflects His glory, wisdom, power, goodness, and creative ability. He continues to sustain His creation.
God Is Our Judge
God the Father has entrusted all judgment to His Son Jesus Christ (John 5:22). On the day of judgment, God will judge every person’s secrets, words, and deeds with perfect justice (Romans 2:5-6). Those who reject Christ face eternal punishment, while believers in Christ receive eternal life. God’s final judgment demonstrates His righteousness.
God Is Our Redeemer
Through Christ, God rescues people from sin, evil, and bondage. Jesus redeems believers from the curse of the law, the power of sin, and the grip of death. God ransoms and frees His children from all forms of slavery through the atoning blood of Jesus (Galatians 3:13). Our mighty Redeemer defeats enemies we cannot overcome ourselves.
God Is Our Light
The Lord is the light of believers, illuminating their paths and hearts (Psalm 27:1). God’s truth exposes darkness and reveals what is hidden. His Word is a lamp for our feet. God guides His children to walk in His light rather than darkness. He brings joy, understanding, wisdom, and hope through His light (Psalm 119:105).
God Is Our Strong Tower
God is described as a strong tower, a secure place of protection (Proverbs 18:10). Believers can take refuge in Him when facing danger, enemies, or uncertainty. God promises to be an ever-present help in times of trouble for those who trust in Him. He defends and delivers His people and gives them strength.
God Is Our Hiding Place
God provides a covering of protection for those who abide in Him. Believers can hide in the secret, intimate presence of the Lord when they are afraid (Psalm 27:5). God hides His children under the shadow of His wings where no enemy can harm them. He grants inner peace and security amidst trials.
God Is Our Victory
Through Jesus Christ, God gives believers victory over sin, death, and all the powers of darkness (1 Corinthians 15:57). He intercedes for His children and gives them strength to overcome adversity. The Lord is a warrior who fights for the righteous. He is able to make us stand firm and conquer every enemy.
God Is Our Salvation
God Himself is the salvation of His people (Psalm 27:1). There is no salvation from sin apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ. He rescues people from the kingdom of darkness and delivers them into His kingdom of light. Our mighty Savior redeems, protects, and preserves believers for eternity.
God Is Our Hope
God is the source of hope for believers. Through His promises, He gives His children confident assurance and eager anticipation of good things to come (Romans 15:13). When our hope is in the Lord, we can persevere through anything. He will fulfill the desires He has placed in our hearts.
God Is Majesty and Splendor
God is clothed in glorious majesty, honor, and splendor (Psalm 104:1). All creation declares the beauty and greatness of the Lord. He reveals His majesty through His creation, mighty works, and the giving of His law. God calls His children to give Him the honor due His name. He is worthy of our highest praise.
God Is Our Comforter
God comforts His children in all their troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He is the God of all comfort. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, Helper, and Advocate (John 14:16). The Spirit comforts believers with God’s love, grace, and promises. God wipes away every tear and reassures fearful hearts.
The nature of God is far beyond our ability to fully comprehend, yet through Scripture, we can understand these attributes revealed to us. God’s attributes work together in perfect harmony. Getting to know the different facets of God’s character helps us know how to relate, communicate, and depend on Him. God reveals Himself to us so that we can enjoy relationship with Him through Christ.