What are the defining attributes of God?

I. Introduction

In Scripture, God is depicted with specific characteristics that set Him apart from all created beings. These attributes undergird every divine action recorded in the Bible and reveal the nature of the One who spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:1). This entry surveys the defining attributes of God, presenting both biblical references (from the Berean Standard Bible) and relevant points of study to illustrate their consistency throughout the Scriptures and in the testimony handed down through centuries.

II. Eternal and Self-Existent

God’s eternity and self-existence appear in foundational statements such as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This phrase underscores that God has no beginning or end; He simply is. Psalm 90:2 notes, “Before the mountains were born and You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.”

Self-existence indicates that God relies on nothing outside Himself. John 1:3 affirms that “Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made,” highlighting God as the sole eternal Creator. Early manuscripts faithfully preserve these passages, as confirmed by discoveries including ancient New Testament papyri and Old Testament texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls, all maintaining the depiction of God as the timeless Author of life.

III. Holy and Morally Perfect

Holiness in Scripture conveys both moral purity and complete separation from sin. Isaiah 6:3 captures the angelic proclamation: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” This threefold exaltation of holiness emphasizes the uniqueness of God’s moral excellence.

Leviticus 11:44 reiterates the call for God’s people to reflect divine holiness: “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy.” Ancient Hebrew manuscripts, confirmed through textual evidence such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, echo this consistent portrait of God’s holiness, undiminished through centuries of transmission.

IV. All-Knowing (Omniscient)

God’s omniscience extends beyond mere knowledge of external events to the full depths of every person’s heart. Psalm 139:1–2 declares, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.” Nothing escapes His awareness of both past, present, and future (Isaiah 46:9–10).

This attribute has been discussed in apologetic and scholarly works, showing that such a comprehensive grasp of reality points to a being outside the limitations of time. The textual tradition faithfully preserves these declarations, emphasizing that the depth of God’s knowledge is one of the clearest hallmarks of His deity.

V. All-Present (Omnipresent)

Omnipresence indicates God’s presence in every place at once. Psalm 139:7–8 proclaims, “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.”

Even early biblical manuscripts and the writings of ancient church leaders highlighted this boundless nature of God. Such references coincide with accounts of miracles and personal testimonies from various eras, all pointing to an uncontainable, ever-present God who interacts intimately with His creation.

VI. All-Powerful (Omnipotent)

God’s omnipotence is affirmed from the outset of Scripture. Genesis 1:1 establishes His limitless power: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Creation itself reflects the majesty and creativity of One who can speak worlds into existence. Job 42:2 echoes this truth: “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.”

Geological and biological complexities showcased by scientific investigations bolster the concept of an intelligent and powerful designer. From intricacies in DNA to the universe’s fine-tuning, these elements point back to the biblical assertion of a God able to create and sustain all things.

VII. Unchanging (Immutable)

Immutability means God’s character and nature do not waver. Malachi 3:6 underscores, “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.” His promises, moral standards, and character remain steadfast, offering hope and assurance to those who trust in Him.

This unchanging quality is found throughout Scripture regardless of the era or the authors’ circumstances. Fragmentary evidence of ancient texts consistently upholds the same perspective of a God who remains the same “yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

VIII. Sovereign Ruler

Throughout biblical history, God demonstrates sovereignty over nations, kings, and the unfolding of events. Daniel 4:35 testifies that He “does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Archaeological findings such as the Cyrus Cylinder, which aligns with the biblical account of the Persian king Cyrus granting the Israelites return from exile (Isaiah 44:28, Ezra 1:1–2), illustrate this divine sovereignty orchestrating historical outcomes. These records and artifacts from the ancient Near East corroborate scriptural narratives affirming God’s supreme rule.

IX. Loving and Personal

The Scriptures present God not merely as a distant power but as profoundly loving toward humanity. 1 John 4:8 declares, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” His love culminates in salvation, displayed supremely through Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 5:8).

This personal investment in creation is evident in His relational involvement with individuals such as Abraham (Genesis 12), David (1 Samuel 16), and countless others. Historical and anecdotal testimonies—from the first-century believers to modern accounts of transformed lives—speak to a deity who engages intimately with people and offers restoration and hope.

X. Merciful, Gracious, and Just

Closely interwoven with divine love are God’s mercy, grace, and justice. Exodus 34:6–7 reveals the LORD as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth,” while still maintaining justice by “not leaving the guilty unpunished.”

In the Gospels, mercy and justice converge at the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, granting forgiveness and restoring fellowship between God and humankind. For centuries, manuscript evidence, from the earliest Greek papyri to codices like Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, has preserved these central themes, upholding the message of redemption and divine holiness without contradiction.

XI. Triune Existence

While God is one in essence (Deuteronomy 6:4), He reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 designates baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” showing a unified identity and authority.

The triune nature appears throughout the New Testament. John 1:1-2 describes the Word (Christ) as God, present at creation, and Acts 5:3–4 speaks of the Holy Spirit as God. Manuscript evidence from early church writings and biblical documents illustrates that the triune understanding of God was a foundational teaching from the earliest expressions of Christianity.

XII. Conclusion

These attributes—eternal and self-existent, holy, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, unchanging, sovereign, loving, merciful, gracious, just, and triune—form a cohesive testimony throughout Scripture about the nature of God. Historical artifacts, scientific observations, and textual discoveries echo and reinforce the reliability of these descriptions.

For centuries, believers have found profound security in God’s unchanging holiness, unbounded power, and steadfast love. Textual preservation from antiquity confirms the enduring truth of these divine attributes, offering assurance that the God revealed in Scripture is indeed the same living God who continues to work in the world today and calls humanity to know and glorify Him.