What Are the Attributes of God?

Self-Existence (Aseity): God is self-existent, meaning He derives His being from Himself and is not dependent on anything else. This attribute is reflected in the name He gives Himself, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), indicating His independent, self-sustaining nature.
Infinite: God is without limits in His being and perfections. Unlike humans, who are limited in knowledge, power, and presence, God transcends all limitations. Psalm 147:5 speaks of His boundless power and understanding, “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”
Unchangeable (Immutability): God’s nature, character, purpose, and promises remain constant throughout time. As stated in Malachi 3:6, “For I the Lord do not change,” this attribute assures believers that God’s promises and character are always dependable.
Eternal: God exists outside the confines of time and space. He has no beginning or end, as affirmed in Revelation 1:8. This eternality means that God is not subject to the passage of time or temporal constraints.
Omnipotent: God is all-powerful, having unlimited authority and ability to do whatever He wills. In Matthew 19:26, Jesus declares, “With God all things are possible,” highlighting God’s ability to perform acts beyond human capacity or understanding.
Omniscient: God possesses complete and perfect knowledge of everything. This includes past, present, and future events, as well as the thoughts and intentions of every individual. Psalm 139:1-4 illustrates this attribute, showing that God knows us completely.
Omnipresent: God is present everywhere in His creation at all times, but His presence is not limited to physical space. Psalm 139:7-12 describes the inescapability of God’s presence, indicating His intimate involvement in our lives and the world.
Sovereign: God has supreme authority and control over the universe. He governs all events and decisions within creation. Psalm 103:19 declares, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all,” affirming His ultimate authority.
Holy: God is absolutely pure, set apart from all sin and evil. Leviticus 19:2 calls believers to holiness because God is holy, emphasizing His moral perfection and distinctiveness from His creation.
Righteous: God always acts in accordance with what is right and is the ultimate standard of righteousness. Psalm 11:7 states, “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds,” underscoring His inherent righteousness.
Just: God is fair and equitable, applying His laws and judgments impartially. In Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as a “God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he,” highlighting His fairness and justice.
Love: God embodies perfect love, a love that is self-giving, sacrificial, and unconditional. 1 John 4:8 reveals, “God is love,” and this love is most clearly seen in the sacrificial giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, for humanity’s salvation.
Merciful: God shows compassion and mercy toward those in distress. His mercy involves both a feeling of sympathy for those in trouble and actions to relieve their distress, as seen in Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Gracious: God extends kindness and favor to those who do not deserve it. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains that salvation is by grace through faith, a gift of God, not a result of works, underscoring His gracious nature.
Faithful: God is utterly reliable and true to His word, never failing in His promises or commitments. 2 Timothy 2:13 reassures us that even if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Good: God is the epitome of goodness, with every action and decision emanating from His inherently good nature. Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” affirming His benevolence and kindness.
Patient (Long-Suffering): God bears patiently with humanity, giving people time to repent and turn to Him. 2 Peter 3:9 shows His patience, stating, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Truthful: God embodies truth, and all His declarations and revelations are true and reliable. Titus 1:2 reinforces this by stating God never lies, thus His word and promises are utterly trustworthy.
Transcendent: God is above and beyond His creation, not limited by the physical laws or constraints of the created order. Isaiah 55:8-9 illustrates this, showing how God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
Immanent: Despite being transcendent, God is also intimately involved in and with His creation. Jeremiah 23:23-24 speaks to this, indicating that God is both far and near, filling heaven and earth.
Creator: God is the source and originator of all that exists. Genesis 1:1 begins with, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” affirming His role as the Creator of everything.
Sustainer: God not only creates but also continuously maintains and upholds the existence and functioning of the universe. Colossians 1:17 notes that in Him all things hold together, indicating His ongoing role in sustaining creation.
Wise: God possesses ultimate wisdom, meaning He always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals. Romans 16:27 acknowledges His wisdom, attributing glory to the only wise God.
Wrathful: God’s wrath is His righteous anger against sin. Unlike human anger, which can be sinful and irrational, God’s wrath is a holy response to evil and injustice. Romans 1:18 speaks of the wrath of God being revealed against all ungodliness.
Jealous: God’s jealousy is not petty or selfish but is a zeal for the loyalty and devotion that is rightfully His. Exodus 20:5 describes God as a jealous God, emphasizing His desire for exclusive worship and devotion.
Glorious: God possesses an intrinsic, radiant majesty and greatness. His glory is the manifestation of His attributes and His majesty. Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God,” pointing to His awe-inspiring greatness.
Incomprehensible: While humans can know God truly and personally, He cannot be fully known or comprehended. Romans 11:33 reflects on the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that His ways are beyond our understanding.
Invisible: God, as a spirit, does not possess a physical body and is not visible to human eyes. John 4:24 explains that God is spirit, indicating His non-material nature.
Spirit: This attribute emphasizes that God is a non-material, personal being. As a spirit, God does not have a physical body, yet He is a personal being who interacts with His creation. John 4:24, where Jesus speaks of God as spirit, highlights this aspect of His nature.

These attributes collectively paint a picture of a God who is both immensely powerful and deeply personal, inviting a response of worship, trust, and obedience from His creation.

“Knowing God” by J.I. Packer – This classic work delves deeply into the nature and character of God from a biblically grounded standpoint.
“The Attributes of God” by A.W. Pink – A comprehensive exploration of God’s attributes, providing scriptural insights into each aspect of God’s character.

What Are the Attributes of God?

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