What are the attributes of God?

1. Summary of the Question

The question, “What are the attributes of God?” seeks to understand the qualities or characteristics that define who God is according to the Bible. These attributes reveal God’s nature, character, and how He relates to His creation. By exploring the attributes of God, we gain a clearer understanding of His divine essence and how to align our lives with His will. A comprehensive approach will consider the biblical foundation for these attributes, their context, and how they apply to Christian living.

2. Context and Background

To understand the attributes of God from a biblical perspective, it is crucial to consider the historical, cultural, and literary context of the Bible. In the ancient Near East, many cultures had polytheistic beliefs, attributing different qualities to various gods. However, the God of the Bible (Yahweh) is unique, as He is the one true God, fully self-sufficient and sovereign, who does not change or evolve.

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God reveals His attributes progressively, beginning with His role as Creator and Sustainer in Genesis, to His holiness, justice, mercy, and love displayed throughout Israel’s history, and ultimately through the person of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The attributes of God help to distinguish Him from all other beings and deities, demonstrating His unique and unmatched divine nature.

3. Biblical Foundation (NASB 2020)

Several key scriptures in the NASB 2020 translation describe the attributes of God, providing a biblical foundation for understanding His nature:

• Omnipotence (All-Powerful):
  Jeremiah 32:17 (NASB 2020): “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.”
  This verse emphasizes God’s omnipotence, affirming that nothing is too difficult for Him. His power is unlimited, and He can accomplish His will without restraint.
• Omniscience (All-Knowing):
  Psalm 147:5 (NASB 2020): “Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.”
  God’s omniscience means that He knows everything—past, present, and future. His knowledge is infinite, and there is nothing hidden from Him.
• Omnipresence (Present Everywhere):
  Psalm 139:7-10 (NASB 2020): “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.”
  These verses express God’s omnipresence, affirming that there is no place where God is not present. He is present in every part of creation and is always near to His people.
• Holiness:
  Isaiah 6:3 (NASB 2020): “And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.’”
  God’s holiness signifies His absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from all evil. He is set apart and distinct from His creation.
• Justice:
  Deuteronomy 32:4 (NASB 2020): “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”
  God’s justice means that He is perfectly righteous in all His actions and judgments. He upholds truth and fairness, punishing sin and rewarding righteousness.
• Love:
  1 John 4:8 (NASB 2020): “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
  God’s love is foundational to His character. He is compassionate, gracious, and abounding in steadfast love. His love is self-giving and sacrificial, as demonstrated in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Mercy and Grace:
  Exodus 34:6-7 (NASB 2020): “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin….’”
  God’s mercy and grace are seen in His willingness to forgive sins and extend kindness to those who do not deserve it. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.
• Immutability (Unchanging):
  Malachi 3:6 (NASB 2020): “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
  God’s immutability means that He does not change in His nature, character, or promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

These scriptures collectively demonstrate the multi-faceted attributes of God, showing Him as all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, holy, just, loving, merciful, gracious, and unchanging.

4. Addressing Other Perspectives

Different theological perspectives and religious traditions may emphasize certain attributes of God over others. For example:

• Deism: Focuses on God as the Creator but denies His ongoing involvement in the world, downplaying attributes like omnipresence and mercy.
• Islam: Emphasizes their god’s power and sovereignty, but he is significantly more distant than Yahweh, and only desires human slaves to do his will. This is in stark contrast to the Biblical narrative of Yahweh, the one true God who does everything from a heart of Covenant love towards His people.
• Atheism/Agnosticism: Rejects or questions the existence of God altogether, denying all divine attributes. From a biblical perspective, these views fail to account for the evidence of God’s existence and His revealed nature through Scripture and creation.

The biblical perspective provides a balanced view of God’s attributes, integrating His holiness, love, justice, and grace. It avoids extremes that might overlook any of these essential aspects of His character.

5. Clarifying Misunderstandings

A common misconception is that God’s attributes, such as love and justice, are in conflict with each other. However, the Bible reveals that God’s attributes are perfectly harmonious. For instance, His justice and love are both demonstrated in the cross of Jesus Christ—where God’s righteous judgment against sin was satisfied, and His love for humanity was fully displayed (Romans 3:26).

Another misunderstanding is that God’s immutability means He is impersonal or distant. However, God’s unchanging nature actually provides comfort and assurance that His promises, love, and character remain constant and dependable.

6. Practical Application and Relevance

Understanding God’s attributes is crucial for Christian living and how believers relate to Him and others:

• Worship and Awe: Knowing God’s greatness, power, and holiness inspires reverence, worship, and a humble attitude before Him (Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 95:6).
• Confidence in God’s Promises: Trust in God’s immutability and faithfulness encourages believers to rely on His unchanging promises and character, especially in times of uncertainty (Hebrews 13:8).
• Reflect God’s Character: Christians are called to imitate God’s love, mercy, justice, and holiness in their daily lives. By understanding God’s attributes, believers can better reflect His character in their relationships and actions (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Practical reflections for Christians include:

• Grow in God’s Knowledge: Continually study Scripture to know God more deeply, embracing all aspects of His character.
• Embrace God’s Holiness and Grace: Seek to live a holy life while relying on God’s grace and mercy for forgiveness and growth.
• Trust in God’s Sovereignty and Love: Rest in the assurance that God is both sovereign and loving, working all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

7. Encouragement and Conclusion

The attributes of God reveal the fullness of who He is—an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, holy, just, loving, merciful, and unchanging God. Understanding these attributes helps believers to love what God loves, avoid what He hates, and grow in faithfulness and devotion. As Christians grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s attributes, they are encouraged to reflect His character, trust in His promises, and live a life that honors and glorifies Him.