Is God considered a person?

Definition of “Personhood” in Scripture

Personhood involves qualities such as self-awareness, intentional will, the capacity to relate, and moral agency. In Scripture, these attributes appear in references to God’s actions, emotions, and communication. Rather than portraying God as an impersonal force, the biblical narrative consistently reveals a Being who interacts with creation on personal terms.

God’s Self-Revelation as Personal in the Old Testament

In Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This creative act highlights intention and purposeful design rather than an unfeeling mechanism. Following that creative work, God is said to speak and bless (Genesis 1:28), demonstrating will and relational desire.

Moreover, God’s communication with individuals underscores His personal nature. For example, He dialogues with Moses from the burning bush, declaring His name as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). By identifying Himself, God shows self-awareness and a willingness to engage with humanity.

The prophets also portray God in deeply personal terms. Hosea’s depiction of God as a loving yet righteously indignant husband (Hosea 2:16–20) reveals divine emotions of love and righteous jealousy. Such passages affirm that these are not abstract forces but indicators of a living Being with intense personal qualities.

God’s Personal Interaction in the New Testament

The New Testament continues this theme of God’s personhood. John’s Gospel speaks of God the Father engaging with the Son in fellowship, reflecting a personal relationship within the Godhead: “The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands” (John 3:35). This language of love implies volition, emotion, and relational intimacy.

Jesus Himself confirms God’s personal nature when teaching His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Calling God “Father” points to relationship and personal connection. Furthermore, Jesus’ statements such as “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) illustrate that the divine nature, revealed in Jesus, displays personhood rather than mere force.

The Holy Spirit as a Personal Agent

Scripture likewise presents the Holy Spirit as possessing personal attributes—teaching, guiding, and interceding. For instance, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things” (John 14:26). Teaching is an active, intentional work performed by a personal agent. In Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit “said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Such direction indicates intellect and will.

Biblical Language of God’s Personhood

Throughout, biblical authors describe God using person-centered language. Terms like “Father,” “Lord,” “King,” and “Judge” underscore personal, relational roles. These titles show One who knows, decides, loves, chastises, and responds. The entire redemptive movement—God reconciling humanity to Himself—portrays a personal God seeking a relational outcome so that people might know and worship Him.

Support from Scriptural Transmission and Historical Texts

Archaeological findings and manuscript evidence, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in the mid-20th century), verify that the core teachings about God’s nature have been preserved consistently over centuries. These early Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts of Old Testament books confirm the portrayal of a God who speaks, commands, and relates personally to His people.

Further manuscript discoveries for the New Testament—such as early papyri (e.g., P52 for the Gospel of John)—match the theological emphasis on a personal God, as originally penned by the biblical authors. This historical continuity reinforces the conclusion that Scripture has consistently communicated a personal view of God.

Rational and Philosophical Considerations

Philosophically, if God were merely an impersonal force, prayer, moral accountability, and genuine relationship would be moot concepts. Yet the Bible’s moral directives, appeals to consciousness, and calls to worship hinge on God’s personal attributes. Romans 1:19–20 indicates that His “invisible qualities” and “eternal power” can be understood from creation, highlighting a Creator with purpose and relational intent.

Personal interaction also aligns with the concept of love. First John 4:8 says, “God is love.” Love, by definition, involves subject-to-subject interaction, which cannot be reduced to a mere abstract energy. Thus, the fact that Scripture defines God’s essence as love rests on the foundation of a personal, relational Being.

Common Objections

1. God as Spirit: John 4:24 says, “God is Spirit.” Some argue this negates personhood. Yet being spirit does not exclude personal attributes. Instead, it describes the nature of God’s essence—incorporeal and transcendent—while numerous other passages reveal His relational character.

2. Impassibility or Transcendence: Historical theological discussions sometimes suggest God does not experience emotions in the same way humans do. While God’s nature is infinitely transcendent and not subject to sinful or out-of-control passions, Scripture’s portrayal of divine feelings (e.g., sorrow, compassion, love) indicates genuine personal qualities, though perfectly holy.

3. Philosophical Ideas of a ‘Force’: Some philosophies posit an impersonal principle governing the universe. In contrast, biblical teaching affirms the universe originates from a deliberate act of a relational Creator whose personal involvement continues throughout history.

Practical Implications of Believing God Is Personal

Believing in a personal God changes how individuals relate to Him:

• Prayer: One prays expecting a responsive Being who hears and answers (Matthew 7:7–8).

• Moral Accountability: A personal God defines a moral reality and holds humanity accountable (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

• Love and Devotion: Relationship with God becomes personal devotion rather than mere ritual (Deuteronomy 6:5).

• Hope in Redemption: The resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–6) testifies to a God who personally acts in history to save and restore.

Conclusion

From Genesis to Revelation, the consistent biblical depiction is that God is indeed personal. He exhibits will, thought, emotion, and the desire to communicate with and redeem humanity. This is supported by the overarching testimony of Scripture, the manuscript evidence affirming its integrity, and philosophical considerations that underscore the relational aspects essential to personal engagement.

Therefore, based on the biblical record and the theological coherence from both Old and New Testaments, God is considered a person—infinitely exalted above creation yet deeply involved with those He made, calling them into a meaningful, loving relationship with Himself.