The Bible teaches that God is almighty, meaning He is all-powerful and unlimited in might, strength, and authority. This doctrine is foundational to the Christian faith and our understanding of who God is. While the full depths of God’s almightiness are unfathomable, Scripture gives us glimpses into this profound truth about our Creator.
The Hebrew and Greek words most often translated “almighty” or “omnipotent” in the Bible literally mean “all-powerful.” God’s almightiness is declared outright in passages like Jeremiah 32:17: “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Job 9:19 says, “If it is a contest of strength, behold him! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?” These verses leave no doubt about God’s unlimited power.
God’s almighty power is also seen in His works of creation. Genesis 1 shows God effortlessly speaking all things into being. Psalm 33:6 says “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.” God’s power is not limited by anything outside Himself—He created the universe out of nothing. As Jeremiah 10:12 declares, “It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.”
Throughout Scripture, God performs miraculous signs and wonders that demonstrate His authority over all Creation. He turns staffs into snakes, parts seas, stops the sun in the sky, raises the dead, and more. Jesus performs miracles like healing lifelong illnesses with a word and feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish. Such displays of power caused people to marvel and say “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:27). As Gabriel said when announcing Jesus’ birth, “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
God’s almighty power is unequalled by any force, human or spiritual. Isaiah 40:25-26 asks rhetorically, “To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” God’s strength surpasses all limits.
God’s omnipotence sets Him apart from all false gods and idols, which are weak and worthless. As 1 Chronicles 16:25-26 proclaims, “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” Psalm 96 echoes, “For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” Only the almighty Creator is worthy of worship.
Yet for all His limitless power, God remains gracious, compassionate and patient towards mankind. He chooses to exercise His omnipotence to show mercy and love, as seen supremely in the salvation offered through Christ. As Paul proclaimed in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” God’s great might led Him to send Jesus to defeat sin and death once for all.
God’s almightiness is meant to inspire awe, worship, reverence and obedience from His people. We can have confidence in God’s ability to fulfill His promises and gladly submit to His perfect plans. Yet we must not test God or make demands of Him. Scripture warns against doubting God’s power through disobedience, like at Kadesh Barnea when Israel refused to enter the Promised Land due to unbelief (Psalm 78:40-42).
While God’s omnipotence is unlimited, He nevertheless chooses to exercise it according to His perfect will and wisdom. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” God’s decisions are always just and righteous—and final.
As creatures, there are many things we cannot fully comprehend about the nature and exercise of God’s almighty power. God’s thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). But we can trust Him completely. God promises to employ His omnipotence for the good of His people and His own glory (Romans 8:28).
In summary, the Bible’s revelation of God’s almighty power gives us several key truths to live by:
- God has supreme, unlimited might and authority.
- He effortlessly created all things out of nothing.
- His power is unequalled and surpasses all limits.
- He performs miraculous signs that demonstrate His omnipotence.
- God uses His Almightiness to show mercy and bring salvation.
- His power should inspire reverent awe, obedience and confidence.
- Yet we must not test God’s power or make foolish demands.
- God exercises His omnipotence perfectly according to His will.
Recognizing that God is Almighty gives us a right sense of humility before His majesty. It leads us to say with Paul, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33). As finite creatures, we can never fully comprehend everything about God’s infinite power. But we can worship and trust the Almighty One who created all things for His glory and reigns forevermore.
