Attributes of God According to the Bible
The Bible does not use the specific word “attributes” when describing God. However, it clearly reveals God's attributes - that is, His qualities or perfections - through His names, actions, commands, and self-revelation in both the Old and New Testaments.
In theology, the term “attributes of God” is a way of summarizing what Scripture teaches about God's character. These attributes are not human-imposed ideas; they are derived from direct biblical descriptions of who God is.
Now, let’s look at a list of the attributes of God.
Incommunicable Attributes of God
These are the attributes that belong to God alone and cannot be shared with or reflected by human beings. They reveal the vast difference between Creator and creature, and emphasize God's infinite perfection, transcendence, and divine majesty. Each of these is supported by Scripture and firmly rooted in the Bible.
1. Eternity - God is Without Beginning or End
God exists outside of time. He had no beginning, and He will have no end. Unlike all created things, which have a starting point, God simply is.
- 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.”
- Isaiah 57:15 – “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy…”
- Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
God’s eternal nature means that He is not constrained by time. All events—past, present, and future—are equally vivid and known to Him.
2. Immutability - God Never Changes
God is unchangeable in His being, character, and purposes. He does not evolve, grow, or alter. His promises and judgments are trustworthy because His nature is constant.
- Malachi 3:6 – “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
- James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
- Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Because God is immutable, believers can have unshakable confidence in His Word and covenant promises.
3. Omnipresence - God Is Present Everywhere
God is fully present in every place at all times. He is not confined to a location. His presence fills heaven and earth simultaneously and completely.
- Psalm 139:7–10
“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!”
- Jeremiah 23:23–24 –
“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?
Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?
...Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”
This attribute assures God’s people that He is always near, never absent, and always attentive.
4. Omniscience - God Knows All Things
God's knowledge is perfect, complete, and immediate. He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. He also knows every thought and intention of every heart.
- Psalm 147:5 – “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”
- Hebrews 4:13 – “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
- 1 John 3:20 – “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.”
Nothing is hidden from God. His omniscience makes Him the perfect Judge, the wise Creator, and the faithful Shepherd.
5. Omnipotence - God Is All-Powerful
God has unlimited power and is able to do all that is in harmony with His holy will. No plan of His can be stopped, and no force can overpower Him.
- 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 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
- Matthew 19:26 – “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
God's omnipotence guarantees that He can create, sustain, govern, and redeem according to His will, without limit or difficulty.
6. Self-Existence (Aseity) - God Depends on No One
God exists in and of Himself. He is not derived from anything else. He does not depend on anyone or anything for His existence, power, or life.
- Exodus 3:14 – “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’”
- John 5:26 – “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”
- Acts 17:24–25 – “The God who made the world and everything in it... is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”
This distinguishes God as completely independent and uncaused, in contrast to all creatures who are dependent and created.
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Communicable Attributes of God
While God's incommunicable attributes describe what makes Him utterly unique, His communicable attributes are those aspects of His nature that He chooses to reflect, in limited measure, in human beings made in His image (Genesis 1:26–27). Though we bear these attributes imperfectly and finitely, they are part of how we are called to imitate God in our lives.
1. Holiness - God Is Pure and Set Apart
God is morally perfect, completely pure, and utterly separate from sin. His holiness defines all His other attributes and demands reverence from His people.
- Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
- 1 Peter 1:15–16 – “...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
Though humans are sinful, believers are called to reflect God’s holiness by being morally distinct from the world, through Christ.
2. Love - God Is Sacrificial and Compassionate
God's love is not merely an emotion but a self-giving action for the good of others, especially evident in the gospel.
- 1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
- John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son...”
- Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Because God is love, His people are called to love others selflessly, just as He has loved us (John 13:34–35).
3. Mercy - God Shows Compassion to the Needy
Mercy is God’s kindness toward the miserable and helpless, especially those in spiritual need.
- Exodus 34:6 – “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious...”
- Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy...”
We reflect God's mercy when we forgive, show kindness to the suffering, and act with compassion.
4. Grace - God Gives Undeserved Favor
Grace is God’s generous gift of salvation and blessings to those who do not deserve them.
- Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith... it is the gift of God, not a result of works...”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Believers can reflect God’s grace through acts of generosity, patience, and humble service, even when others don’t deserve it.
5. Justice - God Always Does What Is Right
God is the perfect Judge. He punishes sin, upholds righteousness, and never shows partiality.
- Deuteronomy 32:4 – “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice.”
- Psalm 89:14 – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne...”
Humans are called to act justly, defending the vulnerable and treating others fairly (Micah 6:8).
6. Righteousness - God Is Morally Upright
God always acts in accordance with what is right. His laws and judgments are perfect.
- Psalm 11:7 – “For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.”
- Romans 1:17 – “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith...”
We are called to pursue righteousness in our conduct, though our ultimate righteousness comes through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9).
7. Truthfulness - God Is Always True and Faithful
God never lies, misleads, or deceives. He is perfectly reliable in word and deed.
- Numbers 23:19 – “God is not man, that he should lie... Has he said, and will he not do it?”
- John 14:6 – Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
God's truthfulness calls us to be honest, trustworthy, and grounded in biblical truth.
8. Faithfulness - God Always Keeps His Promises
God is loyal and constant, even when His people fail.
- Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
- 2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”
Believers reflect this attribute through dependability, loyalty, and keeping their word.
9. Patience - God Is Long-Suffering Toward Sinners
God bears with people over time, giving them the opportunity to repent and return to Him.
- 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish...”
- Romans 2:4 – “...do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience...?”
We are called to mirror God's patience in how we respond to others, especially in times of conflict or delay.
Unity and Simplicity of God
The unity and simplicity of God affirm that He is one, indivisible being without parts or contradiction. The Bible teaches that God is singular and unique (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5), not composed of separate elements like humans are. Divine simplicity means that God is not a sum of attributes—He is love, is justice, is wisdom, all in perfect harmony. His character and actions are never in conflict; His mercy does not diminish His justice, nor does His wrath compromise His love. Because God is simple and unified, He is unchanging (James 1:17), trustworthy, and fully consistent in all His ways. This truth compels us to worship Him with undivided hearts, trusting in a God who is wholly and eternally perfect in every way.
Final Thoughts
God’s attributes in the Bible reveal His perfect nature. He is holy, loving, just, merciful, faithful, sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, and relational. His love is sacrificial, unconditional, and eternal, providing security and transformation. Understanding His attributes deepens faith, strengthens trust, and assures believers of His unchanging presence, purpose, and promises in their lives.
