Understanding the attributes of God is essential for grasping His nature, character, and purpose as revealed in Scripture. These attributes are not abstract theological constructs but the self-disclosures of Jehovah, the one true God, within the pages of the inspired and inerrant Bible. They define who He is in His essence, what He does in His works, and how He relates to creation. Unlike human traits, which may change or diminish, God’s attributes are absolute, eternal, and unchanging. They are not parts or pieces of Him; each attribute fully characterizes His entire being. As we study His attributes, we are not theorizing about an idea but listening to how He has described Himself in His Word.
This article explores His primary attributes as taught in Scripture—those unique to His divine essence (incommunicable attributes) and those which He shares in measure with humans (communicable attributes). Each attribute reveals a vital aspect of His character, and together they form a complete, coherent, and glorious picture of the sovereign Creator.
Incommunicable Attributes: Unshared Perfections
1. Aseity (Self-Existence) Jehovah depends on no one for His existence. He is the uncaused Cause, the One who exists eternally by His own nature. In Exodus 3:14, He declares, “I AM WHO I AM”—a profound statement of self-existence. This is echoed in Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” His name, often rendered as Jehovah (יְהוָה, YHWH), expresses His being as eternally self-sufficient.
2. Immutability (Unchangeableness) God does not change in His essence, purpose, or promises. Malachi 3:6 says, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” James 1:17 confirms that “with [God] there is no variation or shadow due to change.” This unchangeable nature provides the foundation for trust in His Word; what He has said He will do, and what He has purposed will stand (Isaiah 46:9–10).
3. Eternity (Timelessness) God is not subject to time; He is eternal, without beginning or end. As Psalm 102:27 says, “You are the same, and Your years have no end.” Unlike created beings who move through time, Jehovah exists outside of it. He views all time as present, yet He acts within history to accomplish His will (Isaiah 57:15).
4. Omnipresence (All-Presence) Jehovah is not confined by space. He is everywhere present in His fullness. Psalm 139:7–10 declares, “Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?… If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there!” His omnipresence does not mean He is everything (pantheism) but that He is present to sustain, observe, and judge all creation.
5. Omniscience (All-Knowing) Jehovah knows all things past, present, and future. Hebrews 4:13 says, “No creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” His knowledge is comprehensive and intuitive—not learned, not increased. Isaiah 46:10 testifies, “Declaring the end from the beginning… My counsel shall stand.”
6. Omnipotence (All-Powerful) Jehovah possesses unlimited power, constrained only by His own nature (He cannot lie, sin, or deny Himself—2 Timothy 2:13). Jeremiah 32:17 exclaims, “Ah, Lord Jehovah! 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.” His omnipotence ensures the fulfillment of His promises and the execution of His justice.
7. Sovereignty (Supreme Authority) Jehovah rules all creation with absolute authority. Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.” He governs nations, appoints rulers, and determines the rise and fall of empires (Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 21:1). His sovereignty coexists with human responsibility, a balance preserved in the doctrine of middle knowledge (Molinism), whereby God foreknows what free creatures will choose under all possible circumstances (1 Samuel 23:11–13).
Communicable Attributes: Reflected in Humanity
1. Holiness (Moral Perfection) Holiness defines Jehovah’s separateness from all evil and impurity. He is absolutely pure and undefiled. Isaiah 6:3 records the heavenly beings crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” His holiness demands moral perfection and is the standard for believers: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Sin separates man from Him (Isaiah 59:2), and only the atonement of Christ can reconcile the unholy to the Holy One (Hebrews 10:10).
2. Justice (Righteous Judgment) God is perfectly just in all His dealings. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “All His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” His justice ensures that sin will not go unpunished (Romans 6:23), but it also guarantees that righteousness will be rewarded. His execution of justice is impartial and perfect, a standard unmatched by human courts (Acts 17:31).
3. Love (Unmerited Benevolence) Love is not merely an emotion in God—it is an active choice to seek the good of others, grounded in His will. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This love was most fully expressed in Christ: “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His love is universal in offer (John 3:16), though it becomes effective only in those who believe and obey (John 14:21–23).
4. Mercy (Compassion Toward the Needy) Mercy is God’s tender response to human suffering. Ephesians 2:4–5 declares, “But God, being rich in mercy… made us alive together with Christ.” This attribute is closely related to grace but emphasizes God’s compassion in alleviating misery. He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8).
5. Grace (Undeserved Favor) Grace is the unearned blessing God gives to the undeserving. It is foundational to salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Grace undergirds every aspect of the believer’s life—justification, sanctification, and future glorification.
6. Truth (Absolute Reliability) Jehovah is the God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 17:17). He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). His Word is trustworthy, and His promises are certain. Psalm 119:160 affirms, “The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.”
7. Wisdom (Perfect Application of Knowledge) God’s wisdom is not merely knowing what is true but applying truth to accomplish the highest good. Romans 11:33 exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” His wisdom governs creation, redemption, and providence.
The Unity of God’s Attributes
Each attribute of God exists in perfect harmony with the others. He is not more loving than He is just, nor more powerful than He is wise. He is equally and eternally all that He is. For instance, in the cross of Christ, His holiness and justice met His love and mercy without compromise (Romans 3:25–26). Theologians speak of this as the simplicity of God—not that He is simplistic, but that His attributes are indivisible; He is not a composite being made up of parts.
Why God’s Attributes Matter
The attributes of God are not academic facts but transformative truths. They shape how believers view the world, respond to suffering, and understand salvation. Knowing that Jehovah is holy drives us to fear Him and seek purity (Proverbs 1:7). Believing He is just assures us that evil will be judged. Trusting in His love gives us confidence in salvation. Recognizing His omniscience and sovereignty provides comfort in uncertainty.
Doctrine leads to doxology: theology must lead to worship. As Paul declared after reflecting on God’s attributes, “To Him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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